Nebraska's Zavier Betts hauls in pass against Purdue on Dec. 5 in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nobody in college football is going to mistake Nebraskas offense in 2020 for a juggernaut, but the Huskers have turned in arguably their two most efficient performances passing the ball over the past two weeks.

The Huskers averaged 8.2 yards per attempt and completed 77.4% of their passes in a 37-27 win against Purdue one week after hitting 7.1 per attempt and 84% the week before against Iowa.

The reasons for the increase in efficiency likely start with improved quarterback play. Junior Adrian Martinez has completed 41 of 50 passes over those two games at a clip of 8.32 yards per attempt and has not thrown an interception.

"We're working overtime to try to get those guys more and more comfortable with what we're doing, and I think they've been improving every week.

Scott Frost

Not to be overlooked is the steady progress from a mostly inexperienced wide receiving corps. Theres been no overnight transformation like many hoped for this offseason, but the longer the Huskers continue to play, the more of an idea you get for why head coach Scott Frost and offensive coordinator Matt Lubick think things are headed in the right direction.

Ive been happy as far as guys striving to get better every day and focusing on daily improvement, Lubick said. The last two games have been two of our better games. Especially in the run game and blocking. Guys look at stats and fans see guys catching balls, but we were on the right hats and guys were moving some guys on crucial bubbles, which is a big part of our offense. That was good to see.

It was also a step forward in the passing game.

Frost said that Nebraskas staff decided it was doing a disservice to the receiver group by spreading game repetitions around to so many different players, so it tried to narrow down the rotation a little bit.

Freshman Marcus Fleming transferred after not seeing the field much after a breakout performance against Northwestern. In recent weeks, junior captain Kade Warner has seen his playing time reduced significantly and freshman Alante Brown has seen fewer chances, too. Redshirt freshman Chris Hickman has been essentially a package player in run-heavy personnel.

Thats left sophomore WanDale Robinson far and away Nebraskas leader in catches (39), targets (50) and yards (341) freshman Zavier Betts and a trio of walk-ons in senior Levi Falck, junior Oliver Martin and sophomore Wyatt Liewer as the primary rotation in recent games.

Betts and Falck, in particular, have seen their roles and production steadily grow over the course of the season. Falck joins Robinson and tight end Austin Allen as the only players on the roster with at least one catch in every game this season. Betts didnt play in NUs opener against Ohio State but has at least one catch in each of the five games since.

Nebraska wide receiver Levi Falck catches a pass against Penn State on Nov. 14 at Memorial Stadium.

He's a freshman, he's coming on, he's talented and he just had to get comfortable with everything, Frost said of the gifted freshman from Bellevue West, who is third on the team with 131 receiving yards. Know the signals, know the plays, know the details, know the routes.

Betts and Falck had their best joint outing against Purdue, combining for 11 catches on 12 targets. They didnt make any huge plays the 11 catches went for a modest 76 yards but that level of involvement and catch rate speaks to a growing sense of dependability between the receivers and Martinez.

Ive said it a bunch, we have a lot of players that really could have benefited from spring ball, fall camp, a nonconference schedule, all those things, and they didn't get the luxury of any of that, Frost said. So we're working overtime to try to get those guys more and more comfortable with what we're doing, and I think they've been improving every week.

It certainly doesnt hurt that Robinson has 18 catches on 20 targets for 189 yards the past two weeks, either. He had his best receiving game of the year against Purdue, hauling in nine for 114.

To be sure, there is still plenty of room for improvement. Nebraska has not shown an ability to throw the ball over the top of defenses its longest passing play remains a 45-yard touchdown on a fly sweep shovel pass to Betts in the backfield and its 254 yards passing against the Boilermakers was just the second outing with 200-plus yards of the year.

Lubick called a 10-yard touchdown pass to Liewer on a quick throw to the flat his favorite play of the year so far because of the way Falck and Allen blocked for the walk-on from ONeill, allowing him to get into the end zone untouched.

Guys dont come here to block. They come here to catch balls, Lubick said. Naturally, as receivers, they want to make plays and thats kind of innate to the position. But once they get here, they learn pretty fast that if you dont block, you dont play. Nothing says more about who you are as a person than by the way you block for your teammates.

Thats an area where Falck has shown proficiency and Betts has shown want-to.

We feel like weve got seven to eight guys that can play for us, Lubick said. We feel good about that and we feel that if we get nicked up, the next guy, because he has taken reps in practice, is ready to roll. I like our depth situation.

Its certainly nowhere near a finished product, but NU would happily take continued small steps forward in the coming weeks. Everybody is eligible to return next year, plus the Huskers could get healthy returns from freshman Will Nixon and junior Omar Manning. They will also add three incoming freshmen who are 6-2 or taller and are expected to sign their national letters of intent next week.

Purdue running back King Doerue (22) goes over Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) for a touchdown during the second quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska place-kicker Connor Culp (33) celebrates a 49-yard field goal against Purdueduring the second quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) makes a catch in front of Purdue safety Marvin Grant (4) during the second quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) holds off Nebraska linebacker Will Honas (3) during the first quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue wide receiver Jackson Anthrop (33) blocks the punt of Nebraska punter William Przystup (90) during the second quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska wide receiver Wyatt Liewer (85) runs in for a touchdown against Purdue during the second quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) and linebacker Garrett Nelson (44) celebrate a stop on fourth down in the second quarter against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Simon Otte chases down the ball after a blocked punt during the first quarter in the Huskers' game against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska linebacker Simon Otte (34) chases down the ball after a blocked punt during the first quarter against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Connor Culp kicks a field goal against Purdue during the second quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska wide receiver Wyatt Liewer (85) celebrates his touchdown with running back Dedrick Mills during the second quarter against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska wide receiver Wyatt Liewer scores a touchdown against Purdue during the second quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue quarterback Jack Plummer (13) throws against Nebraska during the third quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) runs in for an 89-yard touchdown after a catch against Nebraska during the fourth quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws against Purdue during the fourth quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez breaks away from Purdue defenders on his way to a touchdown run during the first quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue wide receiver Jackson Anthrop (33) celebrates after blocking a punt against Nebraska during the second quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue quarterback Jack Plummer (13) is sacked by Nebraska linebacker Garrett Nelson (44) during the first quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue quarterback Jack Plummer throws against Nebraska during the first quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska linebacker Garrett Nelson (44) celebrates a sack against Purdue during the first quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws against Purdue during the first quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Wyatt Liewer and Dedrick Mills celebrate Liewer's touchdown against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt runs into Purdue's TJ Sheffield during a punt return Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind. Taylor-Britt was penalized on the play.

Nebraska's Ben Stille and Garrett Nelson sack Purdue's Jack Plummer on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt defends Purdue receiver David Bell in the end zone on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Nadab Joseph is carted off the field after an injury against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez rushes for a touchdown against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Dedrick Mills rushes for a touchdown against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Adrian Martinez practices a snapbefore the Huskers play Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Luke McCaffrey practices a snapbefore Saturday's game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Adrian Martinez rushes for a touchdown against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Will Honas tackles Purdue's Rondale Moore after a reception Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills uns against Purdue during the third quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) runs in for a touchdown against Purdue during the third quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue wide receiver David Bell makes a catch over Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) on his way to an 89-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue wide receiver David Bell makes a catch over Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) on his way to an 89-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) runs in for an 89-yard touchdown after a catch against Nebraska during the fourth quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue's Zander Horvath runs the ball against Nebraska on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt gets a grip on Purdue receiver David Bell on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Deontai Williams defends a pass to Purdue's Payne Durham on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue's Branson Deen grabs the jersey of Nebraska offensive lineman Matt Sichterman on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Ben Stille sacks Purdue's Jack Plummer on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue's David Bell runs into the end zone to complete a touchdown reception against Nebraska on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt breaks up a pass intended for Purdue's David Bell on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Adrian Martinez throws a pass against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Connor Culp kicks a field goal against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

A pass eludes Nebraska's Wan'Dale Robinson against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Dicaprio Bootle knocks down a pass against Purdue's Milton Wright on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska defensive back Deontai Williams tackles Purdue's TJ Sheffield on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue's Jack Plummer throws a pass against Nebraska on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska sophomore wideout Wan'Dale Robinson tries to escape a defenderduring Saturday's game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska junior quarterback throws a pass Saturday against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez looks downfield Saturday against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska defensive back Deontai Williams (8) and linebacker Will Honas combine to stop Purdue running back Doerue King Saturday game in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks to linebacker Caleb Tannor (2)during Saturday's game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska offensive tackle Brenden Jaimes blocks a Purdue defender on Dec. 5 in West Lafayette, Ind.

A pair of Husker defenders stop Purdue running back Zander Horvathduring Saturday's game in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Garrett Nelson (44) picks up Cam Taylor-Britt after a big defensive play Saturday against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska wide receiver Levi Falck is stopped by a Purdue defenderduring Saturday's game in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Adrian Martinez rushes for a touchdown against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Wyatt Liewer scores against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

The Nebraska defense mostly held Purdue star receiver David Bell in check. He had 10 catches for 132 yards, but 89 of those yards came on a touchdown in which two Huskers collided into each other.

Nebraska's Austin Allen catches a pass against Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska and Purdue players get testy during Saturday's game in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue's Geovonte' Howard and Marvin Grant react to penalty flags being thrown against Nebraska on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt breaks up a pass intended for Purdue's David Bell on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska's Scott Frost and Purdue's Jeff Brohm shake hands after Nebraska defeated Purdue on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (5) breaks up a pass intended for Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) during the fourth quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) throws against Purdue during the fourth quarter Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska junior quarterback Adrian Martinez looks for room to runduring Saturday's game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska senior cornerback Dicaprio Bootle defends Purdue's Milton Wright on a pass playduring Saturday's game in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska receiver Zavier Betts tries to work his way around Purdue's Kieren Douglas on Saturday's in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska defensive back Deontai Williams defends Purdue's Payne Durhamduring Saturday's game in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez fires a passduring Saturday's game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska guard Matt Farniok celebrates a big playduring Saturday's game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska senior running back Dedrick Mills picks up yardsduring Saturday's game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind.

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No overnight transformation, but Huskers' WR group showing steady signs of progress in recent weeks - Lincoln Journal Star