Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez crushed old team
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Juan Lozano, Sports business columnist
- November 6, 2022
Damien Martinez continues to roll at Oregon State
Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez returned to Boulder with a vengeance. He notched three tackles and two interceptions on consecutive drives against his former Colorado teammates.
For his efforts, Gonzalez is Our Esquina’s Latino College Football Player of the Week.
Christian Gonzalez excelled in Oregon’s 49-10 win. He is draft-eligible and is one of the top-rated cornerbacks for the upcoming NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2 junior from The Colony, Texas, hails from an athletic family.
His father Hector Gonzalez played college basketball at UTEP. Christian Gonzalez’s two older sisters, Melissa and Samantha, were two-time All-Americans in the 400 meter hurdles and 400 relay.
Christian Gonzalez is latest in family to star
Both of his sisters are members of the Colombian national track team. Melissa is married to Lions quarterback David Blough. You may know about her from this viral clip from last summer.
Last week’s Latino Player of the Week Miami kicker Andres Borregales made his lone field goal attempt, a 49-yarder, in a 49-3 loss to Florida State.
It was that kind of night for the Hurricanes as wide receiver Xavier Restrepo led the team in receptions (two) and yards (25). Quarterback Jake Garcia completed one pass and threw one interception.
Washington State defensive lineman Christian Mejia and rush end/ linebacker Ron Stone, Jr. each had two tackles in a 52-14 victory over Stanford. The Cougars are one win away from bowl eligibility.
Freshman Garret Rangel excels in first start
Oklahoma State true freshman quarterback Garret Rangel made his first career start against a much improved Kansas team. The son of a former infantry soldier in the Army’s famed 82nd Airborne Division proved why he was one of Texas’ top gunslingers in the Class of 2022.
The Mexican American threw for 304 yards on 27-of-40 passing with two touchdowns and three interceptions in a 37-16 loss. The future appears bright for the freshman from Frisco, Texas.
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Kansas is now bowl eligible for the first time since 2008. Congratulations to Kansas defensive analyst Oscar Rodriguez and senior offensive analyst Stephen Matos. Rodriguez is Mexican American, and Matos is Dominican American.
Although Kansas State quarterback Adrian Martinez practiced during the week, the senior starter was a game-time decision against Texas. Martinez suffered what appeared to be a leg injury against TCU on October 15.
Martinez started and threw for 329 yards on 24-of-36 passing with two touchdowns and one interception, but the Wildcats fell short 34-27.
Texas punter Daniel Trejo boomed a 55-yard punt. He landed two punts inside the 20 yard line.
Jalen Cropper-Moreno torches Hawaii
Fresno State wide receiver Jalen Cropper-Moreno had five catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns in the 55-13 win over Hawaii. Defensive end David Perales had three tackles, one for a loss and a sack for the Bulldogs. Kicker Abe Montano hit his lone field goal attempt and two PATs.
San Diego State wide receiver Jesse Matthews led the Aztecs with five receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown in a homecoming win over Marcus Arroyo’s UNLV Rebels.
Reynaldo Flores caught three passes for 18 yards and rushed twice for eight yards as UTEP fell 37-30 to Rice in a Thursday night matchup. North Carolina tight end Kamari Morales hauled in two passes for 23 yards in a 31-28 win over Virginia.
Notre Dame redshirt freshman defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio had a tackle in Notre Dame’s 35-14 upset win over fourth-ranked Clemson. Minnesota linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin finished with seven tackles including one for a loss, a sack and a pass defended in a 20-13 comeback victory over Nebraska.
It was the Gophers’ fourth consecutive victory over the Cornhuskers. At 6-3 they are now bowl-eligible. South Alabama kicker Diego Guajardo hit a 29-yard field goal and knocked in five PATs in the Jaguars’ 38- 31 win over Georgia Southern.
Damian Martinez continues to blossom
Christian Gonzalez wasn’t the only Latino starring this weekend at one of Oregon’s flagship institutions. Oregon State freshman running back Damien Martinez had another big day.
He rushed for 107 yards on 19 carries. Martinez also had a reception for 40 yards. It wasn’t enough, though. The 24th ranked Beavers fell from the rankings in a 24-21 loss to Washington.
Tulsa wide receiver JuanCarlos Santana caught two passes for 41 yards and a score, but the Golden Hurricane were overwhelmed by Tulane Green 27-13. Iowa safety Sebastian Castro had two tackles and a pass defended in the Hawkeyes’ 24-3 beatdown over Purdue.
UTSA tight end Oscar Cardenas caught four passes for 86 yards, including a 54-yard reception to set up the Road Runners’ first score in a 44-38 win over the UAB Blazers. UTSA remains undefeated in Conference USA play (5-0).
Juan Lozano
Sports business columnist
Juan Lozano, a native of San Diego, is an attorney who represents coaches and sports executives. He has been in the business of sport in various capacities for more than 20 years. He possesses first-hand knowledge of the collegiate athletic landscape after working for various FBS and FCS college football programs.
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