Hopatcong's Martinek Adapts to New Role in Rutgers' Win

Joe Martinek sat relaxed in the Rutgers University locker room, smiling. But he wasn't sure how long the grin would remain.

"I feel pretty good right now," the Hopatcong football legend said. "But it might be a different story when I wake up tomorrow."

Martinek's role in the Scarlet Knights' offense completed its about-face during Thursday season-opening, 48-0 drubbing of lowly North Carolina Central at High Point Solutions Stadium. The senior—once a battering, off-the-tackle featured back—has turned into a battering ram, Rutgers' most versatile fullback since Brian Leonard.

Martinek didn't get a single carry. Those were mostly reserved for lauded freshman Savon Huggins, who finished with 32 yards and two touchdowns on 10 rushes as Rutgers went up, 21-0, at the half and continued its onslaught.

Martinek did, however, spend the night defending quarterbacks Chas Dodd and Gary Nova and creating lanes for Huggins.

Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano said he was impressed with Martinek, who switched to fullback in the spring when former Pittsburgh assistant Frank Cignetti Jr. took over the offensive coordinator reins and installed a pro-style attack.

"He did a good job," Schiano said. "No matter how much you do in practice, there's always going to be things about blocking at the fullback position [to learn]."

Martinek also said he could use more seasoning.

"It was a good start," the 2007 Hopatcong High School graduate said. "Obviously there's a lot of stuff I can improve on as long as I work on getting better during the week. And then at games, it will be a very natural feel for me."

That might be what Cignetti had in mind when he moved Martinek to his new spot. Martinek rushed for almost 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns in 2009 but spent most of last season hampered by an ankle injury. Martinek, the state's all-time leading high school rusher with 7,589 yards, knows what running backs need from fullbacks.

"Having the experience at running back, knowing what the line's doing and the blocking schemes and what the running back will see—it's a plus for me," he said.

Martinek said it only took him "the first couple of series" to figure out North Carolina Central's blitzing schemes and to anticipate rushers. Huggins said he was thankful for Martinek.

"He's inspiring," Huggins said of Martinek. "He let's me know. He's like, 'Come on, man. Let's get it.' He gave me a little boost. I look up to him. He's been here. So I ask him about different things. But he says to play your game and you'll be fine. ... He says he's seen me do this in practice, so don't go off the game. Just trust your eyes."

Martinek wasn't completely left out of the offense, however, making two catches for 13 yards. The 22-year-old's 2-yard catch midway through the second quarter came after defensive end Stephen Young tipped Dodd's low screen, sending it barreling through the air and onto Martinek's fingers.

"I was just preparing to get hit," Martinek said of the catch. "But it felt good to get the ball in my hands."

Martinek's second reception went for 11 yards after he sprinted into the right flat and reach back and brought in a Nova pass. That made impression on Schiano.

"And then he made that one catch on our sideline," the head coach said. "That was an incredible catch. It's nice to have an athlete out there."

And for Martinek, a few Advil might be nice Friday morning.

"Every play I feel like I'm hitting someone," he said. "So the pain and the soreness might be a little different."