PISCATAWAY -- Hopatcong's Joe Martinek emerged as a possible candidate to replace running back Ray Rice at Rutgers' annual spring football game on Saturday.
Martinek, a sophomore, had 13 carries for 70 yards as the Scarlet captured a 28-14 victory over the White. Martinek, who had an impressive 49-yard run along the way, is battling another sophomore, Mason Robinson, for the chance to replace Rice, the school's all-time leading rusher who has declared for the upcoming NFL draft.
Robinson (eight carries for 38 yards) or Martinek will have to beat out Kordell Young, the early favorite to succeed Rice. Young did not play in the spring game since he is recovering from knee surgery.
"Mason has established himself as our most consistent player and has been doing what Kordell showed us before he got hurt," Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said.
"Joe has done some nice things, but he's also done some young things. But I really like our pool of players back there."
Starting quarterback Mike Teel completed 16 of 24 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns in just one half of action. Teel was paired with starting wide receivers Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt, and the trio showed they were ready for the season. Underwood caught five passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns, while Britt hauled in six passes for 84 yards.
"Mike threw it accurately and displayed what a senior quarterback should look like," Schiano said.
"He was in complete command. And Ti and Kenny made plays like they should."
Jack Corcoran, a sophomore fullback, also made a good impression on the coaches. He caught two passes for 33 yards, including a 26-yard scoring pass from Teel on the opening possession.
"I'm really pleased," Schiano said of his team. "Spring football is designed to give us a chance to improve fundamentally and see where we can improve. We wanted to make sure we put a good product on the field."
A record crowd of 14,501 attended the game, including dozens of prospective recruits.