(Shamus McKnight, Nebraska Media Relations) Quarterback Taylor Martinez was named one of 34 quarterbacks on the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award watch list released Wednesday. Martinez has been one of the nation’s best two-way threats from the quarterback spot the past two seasons, accounting for 5,559 yards of total offense to rank third on Nebraska’s career list. It is the third straight year Martinez has earned a spot on an O’Brien Award list, as he was on the watch list prior to 2011 and was a semifinalist in 2010.
In 2011, he set a school record for total offense by a sophomore totaling 2,963 yards and accounting for 21 touchdowns to rank third in the Big Ten in total offense per game. He threw for 2,089 yards and 13 scores while completing 56 percent of his passes. He set career bests in completions (27) and attempts (38) while throwing for a season-best 289 yards against Northwestern. Martinez also rushed for 874 yards and nine touchdowns, including a trio of 100-yard efforts, to rank ninth in the league in rushing. He piloted an offense which was 15th nationally in rushing while going 9-4 and earning a bid to the Capital One Bowl.
As a freshman, he was the Big 12’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year, totaling 965 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground while throwing for 1,631 yards and 10 scores. That season, he was a freshman All-American from both Rivals.com and CollegeFootballNews.com and a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award.
The Foundation and the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee will announce three finalists on Monday, Nov. 19. The 2012 Davey O’Brien Winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 6, in Orlando.
2012 Davey O’Brien Watch List
Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State, Sun Belt
Matt Barkley, USC, Pac-12
Tajh Boyd, Clemson, ACC
Tyler Bray, Tennessee, SEC
Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville, Big East
Alex Carder, Western Michigan, MAC
Derek Carr, Fresno State, MWC
B.J. Daniels, USF, Big East
Seth Doege, Texas Tech, Big 12
Cody Fajardo, Nevada, MWC
James Franklin, Missouri, SEC
Mike Glennon, N.C. State, ACC
Landry Jones, Oklahoma, Big 12
Collin Klein, Kansas State, Big 12
EJ Manuel, Florida State, ACC
Taylor Martinez, Nebraska, Big Ten
AJ McCarron, Alabama, SEC
Braxton Miller, Ohio State, Big Ten
Aaron Murray, Georgia, SEC
Riley Nelson, BYU, Independent
Casey Pachall, TCU, Big 12
Keith Price, Washington, Pac-12
Sean Renfree, Duke, ACC
Bryn Renner, North Carolina, ACC
Denard Robinson, Michigan, Big Ten
Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois, Big Ten
Connor Shaw, South Carolina, SEC
Geno Smith, West Virginia, Big 12
Trent Steelman, Army, Independent
Tyler Tettleton, Ohio, MAC
Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech, ACC
Jeff Tuel, Washington St, Pac-12
James Vandenberg, Iowa, Big Ten
Tyler Wilson, Arkansas, SEC