Nebraska receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) pulls in a pass as he's defended by Minnesota's Jordan Howden in the fourth quarter Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska during the winter lost two key playmakers to the transfer portal in Wan'Dale Robinson and Luke McCaffrey.
Adrian Martinez wished them well Monday, expressing confidence in the playmakers in NU's system.
"You have to do what's best for you," the junior quarterback told reporters at Memorial Stadium. "I respect their decision. I will say I'm happy with the guys we have here and excited about the group. That includes the receivers and that includes the quarterback room."
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez shares his outlook for the season during a news conference, Monday, April 5, 2021.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Robinson was easily Nebraska's leading receiver last season (51 catches for 461 yards) while ranking fourth with 240 yards on 46 rushing attempts. He finished the season with two touchdowns, then in January transferred to Kentucky.
McCaffrey started twice last season, a win against Penn State and a loss to Illinois. A speedy redshirt freshman, McCaffrey completed 63.2% of his passes and threw six interceptions versus only one touchdown pass. He rushed 65 times for 364 yards (5.6 ypc). He transferred to Louisville in February.
"I wish them the best because I think both of them are good football players and good people, too," Martinez said. "I enjoyed being friends with them. Best of luck to them, and no hard feelings on my end."
A look at the 2021 Nebraska football schedule
Week 0 ➡️ Illinois
Nebraska's Travis Vokolek (left) tries to pull in a pass with Illinois' Tony Adams (6) defending on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
When: Aug. 28
Where: Champaign, Ill.
Illinois in 2020: 2-6
Last time the Huskers and Illini played: Illinois 41, Nebraska 23 (2020)
All-time series: Nebraska leads, 11-4
Week 2 ➡️ Buffalo
Buffalo running back Ron Cook Jr. (2) is tackled by Ball State's Tye Evans during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Detroit.
When: Sept. 11
Where: Memorial Stadium
Buffalo in 2020: 6-1 (5-0 in MAC)
Last time the Huskers and Bulls met: No previous matchups
Week 3 ➡️ at Oklahoma
Nebraska and Oklahoma last met on the gridiron in the 2010 Big 12 championship game in Texas.
When: Sept. 18
Where: Norman, Oklahoma
Oklahoma in 2020: 9-2 (6-2 Big 12)
Last time Huskers and Sooners played: Oklahoma 23, Nebraska 20 (Dec. 5, 2010, Big 12 Championship)
All-time series: Oklahoma, 45-38-3
Week 4 ➡️ Michigan State
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez runs downfield in a Nov. 30, 2018, game at Memorial Stadium.
When: Sept. 25
Where: East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan State in 2020: 2-5
The last time the Huskers and Spartans played: Nebraska 9, Michigan State 6 (Nov. 17, 2018)
All-time series: Nebraska leads, 9-2
Week 5 ➡️ Northwestern
Nebraska's Ty Robinson (99) and Garrett Nelson (right) attempt to tackle Northwestern's Drake Anderson on Nov. 7, 2020, in Evanston, Ill.
When: Oct. 2
Where: Memorial Stadium
Northwestern in 2020: 7-2, Big Ten runner-up
The last time the Huskers and Wildcats met: Northwestern 21, Nebraska 13 (Nov. 7, 2020)
All-time series: Nebraska leads, 8-6
Week 6 ➡️ vs. Michigan
Nebraska fans greet the team as they arrive at Michigan Stadium for their game against the Wolverines on Sept. 22, 2018, in Ann Harbor, Mich.
When: Oct. 9
Where: Memorial Stadium
Michigan in 2020: 2-4
The last time the Huskers and Wolverines played: Michigan 56, Nebraska 10 (Sept. 22, 2018)
All-time series: Michigan leads, 5-4
Week 7 ➡️ at Minnesota
Nebraska's Ben Stille (right) pass rushes Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
When: Oct. 16
Where: Minneapolis
Minnesota in 2020: 3-4
The last time the Huskers and Gophers played: Minnesota 24, Nebraska 17 (Dec. 12, 2020)
All-time series: Minnesota, 34-25-2
Week 9 ➡️ Purdue
Nebraska wide receiver Wyatt Liewer scores a touchdown against Purdue during the second quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.
When: Oct. 30
Where: Memorial Stadium
Purdue in 2020: 2-4
The last time the Huskers and Boilermakers met: Nebraska 37, Purdue 27 (Dec. 5, 2020)
All-time series: Nebraska leads, 5-4
Week 10 ➡️ Ohio State
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) runs the ball against Ohio State last month at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The Nebraska quarterback said the Huskers know they have to make individual sacrifices to make the season work amid pandemic.
When: Nov. 6
Where: Memorial Stadium
Ohio State in 2020: 7-1 (national runner-up)
The last time the Huskers and Buckeyes met: Ohio State 52, Nebraska 17 (Oct. 24, 2020)
All-time series: Ohio State leads, 8-1
Week 11 ➡️ Southeastern Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Chason Virgil (9) hands the ball off to running back Devonte Williams (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019.
When: Nov. 13
Where: Memorial Stadium
Southeastern Louisiana in 2020: 2-2 (split-schedule concludes in April)
The last time the Huskers and Lions met: No previous matchups
Week 12 ➡️ at Wisconsin
Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills (26) carries the ball against Wisconsin's Matt Henningsen (92), Michael Balistreri (57) and Reggie Pearson (2) during first-half action Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
When: Nov. 20
Where: Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin in 2020: 4-3
The last time the Huskers and Badgers met: Wisconsin 37, Nebraska 21 (Nov. 16, 2019)
All-time series: Wisconsin leads, 10-4
Week 13 ➡️ Iowa
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez and the Husker offensive line push toward the goal line on Martinez's 1-yard touchdown run against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
When: Nov. 26
Where: Memorial Stadium
Iowa in 2020: 6-2
The last time the Huskers and Hawkeyes met: Iowa 26, Nebraska 20 (Nov. 27, 2020)
All-time series: Nebraska leads, 29-19-3
Steven M. Sipple
Husker sports columnist
Steven, a lifelong Nebraskan, newspaper enthusiast and UNL grad, joined the Journal Star in 1990 and has covered NU football since 1995.
