| Joe Martinek grew up 45 minutes from Rutgers and has helped the Scarlet Knights in more than one way. (AP) |
Young re-injured his surgically repaired left knee in the season opener against Fresno State and then sat out the next four games, three of which ended in defeat for the Scarlet Knights.
"For the majority of the time that I sat out we lost a lot of games," Young, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound sophomore running back from West Deptford (N.J.) High, said on Monday. "So it was kind of tough knowing that I couldn't help the team out. It was just hard to watch us lose."
Rutgers bottomed out at 1-5 after a loss at Cincinnati on Oct. 11, the fourth straight game in which Young did not play.
But since Young returned to the lineup the following week against UConn, Rutgers (4-5, 3-2 Big East) has won three straight and thrust itself right back into contention for the Big East regular season title.
The Knights -- who are a half-game behind the three teams tied for first place -- face a critical road test on Saturday when they visit South Florida (6-3, 1-3), losers of two straight and three of its last four.
Rutgers' turnaround is a direct result of the improved play of its offense, and Young, as well as redshirt freshman back Joe Martinek, have been a big part of that.
Young was named the Big East offensive player of the week last week after he rushed for a career-high 143 yards and a touchdown in a 35-17 rout of Syracuse. It was his first 100-yard rushing game since his final outing at West Deptford.
"It's a great honor, but I'm just going to go out the next game and try even harder," Young said. "It's big, I guess, recognition-wise but I have to take it one step at a time and stay focused. If you big-headed you end up nowhere."
Still, it is no coincidence that Rutgers has won four of five games this year with Young in the lineup. He has rushed for 478 yards and five touchdowns in five games.
"Kordell was certainly a big part of that one," Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said of the Syracuse game. "He played very well, ran the ball with authority, caught the ball well. I think he's getting back fully to where he was before the knee surgery and that's good for our future."
What's also good for Rutgers' future is the recent play of Martinek, the all-time rushing leader in New Jersey prep history during his time at Hopatcong High School.
Against Syracuse, the 6-foot, 215-pound Martinek scored a 45-yard touchdown in the third quarter out of the "wildcat" set in which he received the ball on a direct snap and raced untouched into the end zone.
One writer jokingly called it the "38 Special" play because Martinek wears No. 38.
Whatever it's called, the play caused Martinek's parents to jump out of their seats at Rutgers Stadium.
"We were sitting in the front row and we were lucky to have Joe run right past us," Joe Martinek Sr. said by phone. "We were jumping up all over. I think my wife got higher than Joe did when he jumped 6-8 in the high jump in high school."
The soft-spoken Martinek said he received "double-digit" text messages from friends and family after the game.
"It was pretty exciting because no one knew it was coming, no one had any idea, so they were just listening to the radio, watching it on TV and stuff," Martinek said.
Martinek redshirted his freshman year in 2007 and is now a valuable member of the scout team. He also plays on special teams. Against Syracuse, he made two huge tackles, including one in which he ran 50 yards downfield on a kickoff to chase a player down.
"Joe is a great team football player," Schiano said. "He does whatever's needed for our team. Not only does he do the scout team and the regular offense, but he also does our special teams...He's a special guy, there's no doubt about it."
Yet Martinek had to bide his time before seeing time at running back, something that wasn't easy for a guy who has been "the man" since junior high school.
"It is a little frustrating but the leaders of the team kept telling me, 'Just keep doing what you're doing, your time will come eventually,'" Martinek said.
Joe Sr. said all four running backs -- Young, Martinek, Mason Robinson and Jourdan Brooks -- have remained close friends despite the intense competition for playing time and the unsettled nature of the position this season.
"The best thing about the whole thing is they're all really good teammates, good friends, they all root for each other," Joe Sr. said. "There's not one bit of animosity between the four. They're all rooting each other on. The guys Coach Schiano recruits are like that."
While Robinson and Brooks have received diminished playing time in recent weeks, Martinek appears to be ascending.
This season he's rushed 19 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He also has a receiving score. Earlier this season, the coaching staff approached Martinek about utilizing him in the Wildcat set, and he was excited about the opportunity.
"It feels real good to be a Jersey guy," Martinek said. "Home is 45 minutes north, the Shore where I grew up is 45 minute south, so I'm right in the middle. Staying here in Jersey is perfect. Having family and friends being able to come to the games and watch the games, it's great."
And with the "38 Special" set in the playbook, Young says opposing defenses better watch out.
"If Joe can continue playing like that, it [brings] versatility in the backfield," Young said. "They never know what we can hit them with. Bringing out the Wildcat is trouble for a lot of teams. They're using in the NFL and it's trouble for a lot of defenses."