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Former Nebraska, Kansas State QB Adrian Martinez to Start Jets’ Preseason Finale Saturday

Martinez, who holds the Husker football program record for career total offense yardage, is aiming to secure an NFL roster prior to final cuts next week.
Austin Jacobsen|
Aug 10, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Adrian Martinez drops back to pass against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium.
Aug 10, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Adrian Martinez drops back to pass against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. | Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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Nebraska CornhuskersNew York Jets

With time ticking away on the final week of the National Football League preseason, Adrian Martinez will have one final opportunity to cement his spot on the New York Jets' roster.

The former Nebraska and Kansas State quarterback is set to get his first start of the preseason on Saturday after coach Robert Saleh announced that current starter Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Jets' starters will not play against the New York Giants. Martinez will open the contest, while Wyoming rookie quarterback Andrew Peasley will close out the game in the second half.

Martinez has routinely been in the second-half role this preseason, leading the Jets to two wins so far. He notably led a game-winning drive against the Washington Commanders in the opening contest, while proceeding to push New York into favorable field positions to extend a second-half lead into a victory at Carolina.

New York Jets quarterback Adrian Martinez (15) passes
Aug 10, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Adrian Martinez (15) passes during the second half against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. | Lucas Boland-USA TODAY Sports

The Nebraska alum has thrown for 171 yards, no touchdowns and one interception through his two preseason performances. Peasley has passed for 106 yards and one touchdown.

Martinez, whose 10,792 career total offense yards at Nebraska is a program record, has not made an NFL roster in his professional career, but he was named the United Football League's Most Valuable Player after leading the Birmingham Stallions to a league title earlier this year.

Martinez and the Jets face the New York Giants on Saturday with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CDT at MetLife Stadium. Final National Football League roster cuts are Aug. 27. Each franchise is allowed a 53-man roster, along with 17 practice squad spots.

Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez pumps up the crowd after a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines in
Oct 9, 2021; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez pumps up the crowd after a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. | Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

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Austin Jacobsen
AUSTIN JACOBSEN

Austin Jacobsen is a radio broadcaster and former Sports Director in Central Nebraska. He has seen the Cornhusker state from all corners; growing up in the Panhandle, completing his college degree in Kearney, working in the rural Sandhills, and now residing in Omaha. Austin is a statewide, regional, and national radio award winner and can usually be found at a high school football field on Friday nights and tuning in to the Huskers wherever they travel. If he is not on the road, Austin enjoys movie dates with his girlfriend and their dog, Ava.

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