Hundred-yard games were routine for Joe Martinek in high school. But he gained 100 yards for the first time as a college player on Saturday against Florida International.There was a time when the rushing numbers Joe Martinek put up Saturday against Florida International would have been considered a subpar performance.
But that was three years ago, when Martinek was putting the finishing touches on a career at Hopatcong High School that saw him become the state’s career rushing leader with 7,589 yards.
So it seemed a bit strange that Martinek, a third-year sophomore, was receiving congratulations for something he did every game as a sophomore, junior and senior in high school.
Martinek had his first 100-yard game in the college ranks Saturday, going for 121 yards on 23 carries in Rutgers 23-15 victory.
"I just found out," Martinek said. "It definitely feels good."
The Scarlet Knight failed to reach their goal of 200 rushing yards — they had 160 on 41 carries — but it marked the second straight week a tailback has topped 100 yards. Jourdan Brooks managed 124 against Howard the previous week.
"High school was three years ago, so to finally do this at the college level, feels good — especially at home with friends and family here," he said.
Martinek is now Rutgers’ leading rusher this season with 213 yards on 48 carries.