Hopatcong's Martinek Rushes Rutgers to Season-Opening Win

What hamstring injury?

Joe Martinek rushed for 109 yards on 20 carries as Rutgers stomped Norfolk State, 31-0, in Thursday night's season opener at home.

The Hopatcong High School graduate rumbled into the end zone with 7:55 left in the third quarter from 6 yards out, giving the Scarlet Knights a 14-0 lead. The score came a play after Martinek busted off a 35-yard run, his longest of the night.

Martinek, a redshirt senior, missed some preseason time due to a pulled hamstring, but rebounded well Thursday, taking nearly half of the team's 50 carries and gaining 5.5 yards per run.

Jordan Thomas saw Rutgers' second-most carries, rushing for 47 yards on 13 touches.

Martinek also finished last season as Rutgers' premier running back, collecting 967 yards and nine touchdowns on 206 attempts.

The former Chiefs running back and linebacker, who graduated in 2007, set the state's all-time rushing record with 7,589 yards.

Rutgers will travel to Florida International on Sept. 11.