LINCOLN — Cody Green on Tuesday described taking over as Nebraska’s starting quarterback as having to be “the general’’ and pointed to the requirement that the signal-caller be the “the man calling out orders.’’

Green is used to knowing how to command that respect as somebody who’s played quarterback for a long time.

But the general, in this case, was an 18-year-old freshman making his first college start Saturday at Baylor. And around him at different times were freshmen at I-back, receiver and tight end.

It led to a transition of sorts in the huddle, a mix of old and young having to come together as the Huskers’ search for offensive answers continued.

“I don’t know if it’s because we’re so used to playing with each other as older guys, but you could feel a bit of a different vibe,’’ NU junior tight end Dreu Young said. “I wouldn’t say it was better or worse, but I think it was a good changeup ... and it seemed to help a little bit.’’

Green was the voice for four quarters at Baylor, replacing Zac Lee after the junior had started the Huskers’ first seven games. Senior center Jacob Hickman said after the game that a different energy emanated from the presence of Green and others such as I-back Dontrayevous Robinson and receivers Khiry Cooper and Brandon Kinnie.

Junior receiver Niles Paul said it was not only necessary to make that work, but harness the energy and put it to use as the underclassmen stay on the field.

“We seen some mistakes, but those were expected,’’ Paul said. “We strive for perfection, and we’re going to work as hard as we can until we get that. But you see a lot of enthusiastic young guys out there just trying to make plays — and that’s what you need out there.’’

By the time it was over Saturday, a freshman had thrown all 21 of the Huskers’ passes (Green), a freshman had led NU in rushing (Robinson) and a freshman had more receptions than anybody on the team (Cooper). Of the 38 total rushing attempts, 28 were handled by freshmen (Robinson 13, Green 8, Lester Ward 7).

In the process, some veterans had to look around the huddle and accept the fact that the dynamic had changed — and that some former regulars weren’t where they usually might be.

Kinnie, a sophomore but a newcomer as a junior-college transfer, said he didn’t believe it was uncomfortable at all during the 20-10 win.

“They all know we can make plays,’’ Kinnie said. “They’ve seen it in practice. It’s just us getting the go-ahead, the coaches saying, ‘OK, we trust you guys enough to put you guys out there and play the majority of the reps.’

“I think it’s been kind of more excitement around. Just knowing that it’s a new group of guys, new faces in, so it’s like, ‘Let’s see what they can do.’ We know we can go out there and make something happen.’’

As far as the upperclassmen remaining on the field, NU offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said it was important for them to help the young players keep their poise and focus. Watson called it a huge leadership responsibility.

For those sitting down, Watson said Lee was great with Green on the sideline, and Kinnie said receivers such as Menelik Holt and Curenski Gilleylen supported Cooper and Kinnie as they stepped in against the Bears.

“It’s not like, ‘I’m mad at them and I’m not telling them something,’” Kinnie said. “They still help us out with things we don’t know. They still talk to us, they still support us, and vice versa.’’

Green had been developing respect over time. In the huddle and under center Saturday, he had to ooze confidence and control the team. But on the sidelines, he wasn’t afraid to go to Hickman or Paul and ask a question.

“They’re the same guys that you’re around the locker room with, that you travel with every week,’’ Green said. “It’s not like there’s a huge gap between you. Heck, on the football field you don’t really look at age or classifications.’’

NU coach Bo Pelini said changeover in personnel wasn’t an issue because of the snaps offensive players get together in practice. The mixing and matching, he said, has been necessary as the Huskers try to find the right combinations.

It looked to Pelini as if Green was able to run the show as well as could be expected.

“I thought he managed the huddle well,’’ Pelini said. “I thought he commanded things well. That’s one of his strengths. He’s very confident. I like that aspect of how he handled the situation Saturday.’’

The week will decide which freshmen or other newcomers play Saturday night against Oklahoma. It’s part of the NU staff trying to find the best buttons to push.

But no matter who’s in the huddle, Paul said, the Huskers will make it work.

“I trust whoever the coaches put on the field equally,’’ Paul said. “They’re going to put the guys on the field they think can be the difference.’’

Contact the writer:

444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com