People are also reading…
As the game wore on, the questions turned to clamor.
Where was Luke McCaffrey? Why wasn’t Nebraska using the redshirt freshman quarterback as it did against Ohio State? After an electric debut, the Colorado native was on the field for all of one play in the first half of Saturday's 21-13 loss to Northwestern.
Finally, he appeared. Late in the third quarter, McCaffrey took over behind center in place of Adrian Martinez.
He moved Nebraska’s offense through the air. He made a couple of plays with his legs.
But just like Martinez, he threw a crippling interception that ruined a scoring chance as the Huskers fell to 0-2. No matter who was taking the snaps, Nebraska seemingly refused to find ways to score in the red zone.
Still, the questions will become only louder as to who should get the majority of the snaps at quarterback as Nebraska turns its attention to Penn State.
"I don't really want to comment on that right now other than to say what I've said all along — I think we have two really good players," Nebraska coach Scott Frost said.
McCaffrey entered for good after Martinez’s throw across the middle to tight end Austin Allen was intercepted in the end zone. Martinez finished 12-of-27 passing for 125 yards and had a team-high 102 yards rushing on 13 carries.
McCaffrey, in his most extensive action at QB since last season, was 12-for-16 for 93 yards while running for 49 more.
"I feel for Adrian. That's a tough position to be in, and he's poured his heart and soul into this," Frost said. "But those guys are going to compete, and I'm comfortable with both of them in a game. I thought we needed a spark, and gave Luke a shot. He deserved it."
But the results were the same. Nebraska became the third consecutive opponent to go scoreless in the second half against Northwestern this season. McCaffrey’s interception came when a pass from the Northwestern 4-yard line appeared to glance off the helmet of offensive lineman Bryce Benhart and into the hands of the Wildcats’ Chris Bergin.
Needing to go 92 yards and then convert a two-point conversion just to tie the game, McCaffrey moved Nebraska to the Northwestern 14 before throwing incomplete to Wan’Dale Robinson in the end zone on fourth down.
Not all of Nebraska's shortcomings fall at the feet of those throwing the ball. Once again, Nebraska's lack of threats at the receiver position reared its head.
Outside of freshman Marcus Fleming, who broke out with five catches for 75 yards, Nebraska's other wide receivers combined for nine catches and 68 yards. Four of those catches and 32 of the yards belonged to Robinson.
Despite that, NU still averaged 5 yards per play on its 88 snaps.
"I trust both those quarterbacks equally. They’re both playmakers, they’re going to get things done. They obviously both have their skill sets. They bring something a little different to the table," said Allen, who had two grabs for 29 yards. "Adrian in there, Luke in there, I feel confident in both of them. There wasn’t necessarily a big mood change like, ‘Here we go, we’re going to do it now.' But Luke’s a competitor, Adrian’s a competitor, we competed, and that was my mentality toward it."
Mentality aside, the job of running Nebraska's offense appears to be as open as ever. And with an 0-2 team, in need of something positive, the intensity of that competition only escalates.
Photos: Nebraska falls to Northwestern in Evanston

Northwestern linebacker Blake Gallagher (right) celebrates after tackling Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey during the second half in Evanston, Ill., on Nov. 7.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (left) is tackled by Northwestern defensive back JR Pace during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez has a moment on the bench during the second half against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey is tackled by Northwestern linebacker Blake Gallagher during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Northwestern wide receiver Riley Lees (left) runs with the ball against Nebraska during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska wide receiver Levi Falck (left) is tackled by Northwestern defensive back Greg Newsome during a game on Nov. 7, 2020, in Evanston, Ill.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (left) is tackled by Northwestern linebacker Blake Gallagher during a Nov. 7, 2020, game in Evanston, Ill.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey looks to pass during the second half against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Northwestern defensive back Brandon Joseph (left) celebrates with linebacker Chris Bergin after Joseph intercepted a pass against Nebraska during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska safety Myles Farmer shown with the ball after an interception against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska's Adrian Martinez throws a pass against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez takes off on a run against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska kicker Connor Culp (left) and Austin Allen (right) leave the field after a kick against Northwestern on Nov. 7 in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska's Myles Farmer tackles a Wildcat ball carrier during a college football game against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska's Myles Farmer returns an interception against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska's Myles Farmer shown with the ball after recording an interception against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska's Dedrick Mills rushes with the ball against Northwestern on Nov. 7 in Evanston, Illinois.

A pair of Nebraska defenders make a tackle against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska's Dedrick Mills rushes against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska's Ben Stille tackles Northwestern's Kyric McGowan on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Members of the Nebraska football team get ready to play Northwestern on Nov. 7 in Evanston, Illinois.

After suffering a freak, season-ending injury before last season's Purdue game, NU safety Myles Farmer is ready to step into a starting role this week against the Boilermakers.

Nebraska's Luke Reimer (28) dives for a fumble against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska's Luke Reimer (left) celebrates after recording a tackle for loss against Northwestern on Nov. 7, 2020, in Evanston, Ill.

Nebraska players warm up before playing Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Members of the Nebraska football team, including Adrian Martinez (2), are shown during warmups ahead of a game against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Members of the Nebraska football team are shown during warmups ahead of a game against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Members of the Nebraska football team are shown during warmups ahead of a game against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Dedrick Mills lunges for a touchdown against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws a pass against Northwestern during the first half last November in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills (right) eludes Northwestern defensive end Earnest Brown, during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills (right) runs over Northwestern linebacker Paddy Fisher during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Northwestern running back Drake Anderson looks for room against Nebraska on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey sets to throw against Nebraska during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska defensive back Myles Farmer (second from left), celebrates with teammates after Farmer intercepted a Northwestern pass during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey (left) runs for yardage against Nebraska during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Northwestern receiver Kyric McGowan runs with the ball against Nebraska during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Northwestern linebacker Chris Bergin (top right) celebrates with linebacker Paddy Fisher after Bergin intercepted a pass against Nebraska during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald (left) greets Nebraska coach Scott Frost after the Wildcats beat the Huskers 21-13 Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Nebraska defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt is tackled by Northwestern defenders on a punt return on Nov. 7, 2020, in Evanston, Ill.

Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks to his team during the first half against Northwestern Nov. 7 in Evanston, Illinois.Â

Northwestern defensive back Brandon Joseph (right) intercepts a pass intended for Nebraska tight end Austin Allen during the second half Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws against Northwestern during the first half Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Dedrick Mills (from left), Luke McCaffrey and Travis Vokolek look to the sidelines for directions during Saturday's game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill.

Nebraska's Luke McCaffrey rushes with the ball against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska football head coach Scott Frost looks on during a college football game against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey is tackled on a second-half run against Northwestern on Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Nebraska's Ty Robinson (99) and Garrett Nelson (right) attempt to tackle Northwestern's Drake Anderson on Nov. 7, 2020, in Evanston, Ill.

Nebraska's Luke McCaffrey rushes with the ball during the game against Northwestern on Nov. 7 in Evanston, Illinois.

Nebraska's Jordon Riley fights through a block during a game against Northwestern on Nov. 7, 2020 in Evanston, Illinois.