Nebraska isn’t short on offensive highlights from its first two games.

Images of Taylor Martinez ducking out of tackles, Roy Helu Jr. breaking a long run to the end zone and Rex Burkhead slicing up defenses for key first downs dominate a long list of explosive moments.

But almost none of the team’s highlights involve a pass.

With an average of 179 passing yards per game, the Huskers rank 85th out of 120 teams nationally. Compare that to a rushing attack that has averaged more than 324 yards per game and is No. 3 in the country.

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said the run-heavy approach was more a matter of choice than necessity in blowout wins against Western Kentucky and Idaho. That creates an element of mystery for opposing defenses until the Huskers do go to the air, which could come Saturday against Washington.

Wide receiver Niles Paul, who leads the team with nine catches for 123 yards and has Nebraska’s only receiving touchdown, said he enjoys helping out by blocking for the run game.

That said, he’s anxious to see the team focus more on expanding the pass game.

“We love to block, but we love to catch passes more, obviously,” Paul said. “We all know that (offensive coordinator Shawn) Watson is going to call our number one of these days and it’s going to be up to us to make plays, and we can’t wait.”

Some have speculated that the shift to the ground is in part because of a lack of confidence in the passing ability of redshirt freshman quarterback Martinez, who has dazzled fans with his breakaway speed but isn’t known for his throwing skills. Wide receiver Brandon Kinnie said that isn’t the case.

“He can throw it,” Kinnie said. “I believe he can get it done. I believe in him, our whole offense does.”

Still, Kinnie said he’s excited to take on a bigger role in the game plan.

“I’m ready, man,” Kinnie said. “I’m so ready to score one.”

Pelini is also confident that his young quarterback, who is 21-32 passing with one interception and no touchdowns, can avoid mistakes and open up a new aspect of the offense.

“He’s got a big arm,” Pelini said. “I’ve seen him throw the deep ball very well.

“I do feel we’re going to help ourselves out that much more when we start getting the ball down the field a little bit more vertically.”

Last week, a defender hit Martinez while he prepared to throw the ball. Instead of taking the sack, he tried to force a ball over the middle that was picked off by Idaho. Kinnie said miscues like that don’t affect the team’s confidence in their quarterback.

“He was just trying to make a play,” Kinnie said. “Maybe a freshman mistake, maybe throw it away next time. But he can learn from that.”

Wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore said he keeps his players alert by reminding them that eventually they’ll be needed to win a game. Establishing that passing attack, he said, will make for a more potent all-around offense.

“I tell them, ‘That day’s going to come where, hey, we’re going to need to throw a little bit,’” Gilmore said.

Paul hopes that day will come shortly, and he’ll be ready when it does.

“I do miss the deep ball,” Paul said, “but I know that it will come soon enough. It’s a long season ahead of us and we’re going to have to start passing eventually.”