NU, Martinez power past Hilltoppers 49-10

• Box Score: Nebraska 49, Western Kentucky 10

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LINCOLN – Some 80,000 Nebraska fans, already seated 35 minutes before kickoff Saturday night at Memorial Stadium, applauded loudly when HuskerVision introduced Taylor Martinez as the starting quarterback for the NU season opener.

The only more enthusiastic cheers of the night? When the ultra-quick Martinez took off for a 46-yard touchdown run on his first collegiate carry. And when he hit Rex Burkhead for a 28-yard gain on Martinez's second career pass.

If this 49-10 NU victory over Western Kentucky, before a crowd of 85,555, marked the start of the Martinez era at Nebraska, it will be remembered for his electric running display.

The first freshman ever to start an opener at Nebraska, Martinez rushed seven times for 127 yards and three touchdowns – more rushing yards than any NU quarterback since Jammal Lord against Texas in 2002 and the most by a freshman runner since David Horne gained 128 against Texas A&M in 2002. Impressive, even if it happened against a foe that has now lost a nation-high 21 straight games.

Martinez directed the Huskers (1-0) to quick-strike scores on their first two possessions before fighting inconsistency in the second and third quarters. Sophomore Cody Green engineered a 34-yard TD march on his lone possession of the second quarter and returned in the fourth to lead an 86-yard drive, hitting Niles Paul for a pretty, 33-yard score.

Yes, the Huskers' QB debate is alive and well.

Martinez finished 9-of-15 passing for 136 yards; Green was 5 of 6 for 66 yards.

Senior Zac Lee, who started 12 games last season, earned only mop-up duty on Saturday. Lee played the final two possessions – the first of which covered 21 yards and featured the running of I-back Austin Jones, who scored on a 5-yard plunge to end the scoring.

Nebraska did get sloppy in the second half, losing its shutout when up by four touchdowns and turning it over on a Paul fumble after a 17-yard reception from Martinez near midfield. Western Kentucky's Bobby Rainey then bolted through the heart of the NU defense for a gain of 46, but Dejon Gomes stripped the football and Eric Hagg recovered in the end zone.

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• Video: NU coach Bo Pelini at the postgame press conference:



• Video: Taylor Martinez at the postgame press conference:



• Video: Rex Burkhead at the postgame press conference:



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PREVIEW STORIES

• Green, Lee and Martinez all likely to play
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• Carl Pelini confident in Nebraska's depth
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• WKU at Nebraska: 2-minute drill
• WKU at Nebraska: Three things to watch
• WKU at Nebraska: Key matchup
• Hilltoppers' Rainey ready for Huskers
• Nebraska, Western Kentucky team stats leaders
• Pelini says year three is key in Huskers evolution
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• Your planner for game day

Chat: Husker Talk Live Pregame, 4 p.m.

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