Taylor steps up
Is this the beginning of a new Taylor Martinez? Who knows? But you really have to give Martinez his due. He looked like a leader in the second half. In a situation where some no doubt were expecting a meltdown, No. 3 stepped up big. Is this the kind of game that can elevate him to a more confident, consistent place? Hard to say. Martinez doesn’t say much and doesn’t offer many windows into his psyche. Hopefully Martinez and his critics can take a deep breath after this one. They both need to give each other a break. Martinez has to realize that criticism and praise are part of his job. Last night, it was a job well done.

Salve for Bo
This was a feel-good win, and Bo Pelini needed it. Maybe fans will forget how Pelini angrily gestured to them before halftime when they were booing a Martinez interception. How many coaches do that? And after the shot Pelini took at the fans last week? Pelini spends a lot of time trying to answer and scold critics. There are other areas where he could give some attention, like a defense with tackling issues.

Sitting pretty
I thought Nebraska had to have a split of these first two Big Ten games to be on the path to a division title. They wouldn’t have been out of it with an 0-2 start — not in the Hardly Legends Division. But 1-1, with a favorable schedule the next month, is a good place to be.