More minutes for Martinek?
Sam Hellman
ScarletNation.com Staff Writer
With Kordell Young now out for the third season in a row with a knee injury that will require surgery, the look at running back may see more changes. Young, who served as Rutgers' third down back because of his receiving and pass blocking abilities, will need to be replaced. In all likelihood, the job falls into the hands for incumbent starter Joe Martinek.
"Kordell and I did the same thing every week [in practice] so we both know what to do and I've been doing it all season," Martinek said. "I was the one doing it when Kordell was still hurt so I know I can do it again if that's what the coaches decide."
Young, now preparing for his third knee surgery since joining the team as a true freshman in 2006, played in seven games this season and put together 78 yards on 16 total touches.
With Young now out, and his roommate Mason Robinson in the recovery process from a knee injury of his own, the Scarlet Knights are down to just three healthy running backs with game time experience - Martinek, fellow sophomore Jourdan Brooks and true freshman De'Antwan Williams.
"I think Jourdan is capable of going in and playing at a high level," said head coach Greg Schiano. "I think De'Antwan [Williams] is as well. We are getting down in backs. The good thing is Tyrone Putman is a good football player. If it ever got to that, we are putting a good football player in the game.
Martinek, despite eclipsing the 100-yard mark yet again in the 31-0 shutout of South Florida Thursday night, struggled to get things going in the first half with 25 yards on 10 attempts. However, Martinek broke out once more in the fourth quarter and finished with 128 yards.
"If the game's not going well, I don't just put my head down. I just try to get back into the game by working as hard as I can and making the most of my opportunities," Martinek said. "I think it's because of our team's conditioning. The stuff we do in the winter and in the summer is crazy and puts us in a great position to put the game away in the fourth quarter."
Martinek said losing Young will be tough, not just because of his value as a third down back, but because of his presence on the field.
"It was tough because I talked to him on the sidelines after it happened and he was on crutches," Martinek said. "We thought it might have just been a sprain and he could be back next weekend. But then we hear the next day that it was worse than that. It's always tough to see a teammate go down like that, especially one that's already been through so much. It puts in your head that it could be you out there."
Young still has one year of eligibility left, but it is uncertain if he will be able to play through a third knee surgery. His quarterback, freshman Tom Savage, is confident that he can.
"It's so unfortunate," Savage said of the injury. "When he gets back, he'll be another huge part of our offense again. He's such a leader and such a great athlete. I know how strong he is and he's been through it before."
With Young out, Martinek can be expected to take on an even bigger role through the last three games of the season - four including the bowl game.
He already has a career-best 729 rushing yards and eight touchdowns and the Hopatcong, N.J. native is on pace for 1,053 yards by the season's end.
"Joe's an amazing running back," said senior center and team captain Ryan Blaszczyk. "Just blocking for him makes us get the satisfaction when you see him run over people. You can't expect that kind of stuff though, you have to do your part. If everyone else does their part, then good things happen."
Though Martinek was on the team as a redshirt defensive back in 2007 when Rutgers earned a top-25 ranking, Sunday's poll results mark the first time that the tailback played for a top-25 team.
"My brother just texted me Sunday and said 'how does it feel to be playing for a ranked team' and I just thought about it for a second," he said. "It's really cool and it's something you definitely dream of when you play in high school and see all of those TV games between ranked teams. It is pretty cool and hopefully we get better."