Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said the most important player in a program is the backup quarterback.

That used to be Joe Ganz.

Now who?

It will likely depend on the situation, Watson said.

Coaches said they want to protect the redshirt of true freshman Patrick Witt, who’s been filling the role of No. 3 quarterback this season. Junior Beau Davis is the other leading candidate.

Witt, a 6-foot4, 220-pound native of Wylie, Texas, has been in Lincoln since spring practice. He said he’s ready if needed.

“At the drop of a hat, they just give the word. I’m ready to go,” Witt said. “I’ve kind of taken a back to seat to Joe and Sam (Keller) this year, obviously, with game prep. But I’ve been there every step of the way, in meetings, in the practice repetitions that I do get. So I’m ready to go, without a doubt.”

Witt agreed that in a perfect scenario, he’d keep his redshirt. So if Ganz is out for only a play or two, it’s likely Davis would enter.

“But if there is significant playing time with the scenario that Joe would go down for an extended period of time,” Witt said, “then I’d definitely want to go in and get that experience.”

Witt will take over Ganz’s previous role of signaling in plays from the sideline. Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said the Huskers blitzed on 74 of 77 snaps Saturday against Texas.

Blitzed:

That’s 96 percent of the time.

Nebraska pressured quarterback Colt McCoy throughout the game, sacking him once, hurrying him 10 times and forcing an interception. McCoy was 12-of-28 for 181 yards.

However, the Longhorns took advantage of blitzes in the run game, particularly in the fourth quarter.

“Where we got hurt wasn’t lack of execution as a blitz, it was losing a gap or losing your place out on the lane. That was the problem,” Cosgrove said. “As far as who you’re covering, what gaps you’re supposed to blitz, responsibilities, that was pretty good. It’s just those gaps move sometimes and you have to adjust.”

By the numbers:  55 - Season receptions by junior running back Marlon Lucky, tying him with Johnny Rodgers for the single-season school record. Lucky has 89 career receptions, good for fifth on the Nebraska charts.

Scouting report: LB Tyler Wortman

Tyler Wortman, a junior walk-on from Grand Island Central Catholic High School, was caught off-guard Tuesday morning when approached by reporters about his impending start Saturday at Kansas.

“I just found that out,” Wortman said. “That’s what they say. We’ll see how that goes. Hopefully I won’t think about it too much. Just play like I normally do and don’t worry about it.”

Wortman’s emergence in a starting role is the result of a rash of injuries at linebacker. WILL linebacker Lance Brandenburgh (shoulder) is out for the season, and Bo Ruud (knee) didn’t play at Texas and is questionable for Saturday. True freshman Blake Lawrence returned to practice Tuesday after sitting out the Texas game with an injury. He’s also questionable.

Coach Bill Callahan said coaches will play Wortman at the SAM spot until they have a better evaluation of Ruud’s status. True freshman LaTravis Washington will back up Wortman.

At WILL, Major Culbert will move into the backup role behind Steve Octavien.

As for Wortman, he played at Texas, recording two tackles, including one for loss. He’s played in six games after seeing no playing time the previous two seasons.

“He’s a guy who knows exactly what he’s doing,” Cosgrove said. “He’s where he’s supposed to be all the time. He’s really helped us in special teams this year, which really has opened my eyes to his abilities.”

Opponent watch: Kansas State

Kansas State has already scored 310 points this season, 14 more than in 13 games last year, and all of their wins have come by at least 20 points. The Wildcats also have scored at least 39 points five times after doing it twice last year.

A second season under coach Ron Prince and offensive coordinator James Franklin has made all the difference.

“I think the second year for anything is always a better year,” quarterback Josh Freeman said. “More people know what the coach expects, we know the offense better, and we’re able to actually run it now instead of just blindly playing.”

— Brian Rosenthal and The Associated Press