Miami back Damien Martinez feasts against FSU
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Carlos Leon-Trejo, Contributor
- October 28, 2024
Damien Martinez leads Latinos in college football in Week 9
Junior running back Damien Martinez has clearly settled in with the undefeated Miami Hurricanes. He had his best rushing output of the season against Florida State.
The junior transfer from Oregon State battered the Seminoles for 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the 36-14 rout. That was the second biggest output of his career behind only the 178 rushing yards he had against Colorado as a freshman two years ago at Oregon State.
Damien Martinez got more than a third of his rushing yards Saturday on a 53-yard scamper, which was his longest run of the season. Martinez got almost 40 of those 53 yards after he appeared to have been bottled up as he kept his feet moving the pile of FSU tacklers.
For his efforts against FSU, the 6-foot, 223-pounder from Lewisville, Texas was named Our Esquina’s Latino Football Player of the Week for Week 9.
“Yeah, it’s a big rivalry,” Martinez told the Miami media after the game. “You kind of hear about it everywhere. But just kind of take the same mentality every week, just 1-0, execute, do your job every play and make an impact on the game.”
Martinez eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark six times in each of his first two seasons at Oregon State. Although he had a three-touchdown performance earlier this year, he hadn’t run for more than 91 yards in a game this season with Miami.
Damien Martinez surpasses 100-yard mark
Damien Martinez ate against FSU, though, to help Cuban American coach Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes improve to 8-0. Martinez led Our Esquina’s weekly roundup of Latinos in college football.
Miami moved up to No. 5 in the country in the latest AP Top 25 poll. Martinez enjoyed carrying the ball 15 times and averaging 9.9 yards per carry.
“Everybody can see when the camera’s on me or anything me a smile on my face when I’m on the field,” Martinez said. “So, yeah, I love playing on this team. Everybody just plays hard for each other. … Another reason why I want to finish this in the right way.”
Here’s how other Latinos fared in Week 9 of the college football season:
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia almost pulled off another upset. The graduate transfer gave Texas a major scare. He completed 16 of 29 passes for 143 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the 27-24 loss. Pavia has thrown for 1,534 yards with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
Senior defensive tackle Gio Paez had two tackles for LSU in the 38-23 loss against Texas A&M. Damian Ramos completed 1 of 3 field goal attempts for LSU. Ramos accounted for five points in a rather disastrous night for him.
Joey Aguilar shines for App State
App State quarterback Joey Aguilar had a stellar performance against Georgia State. He completed 18 of 27 attempts for 299 yards and scored three touchdowns. Aguilar has thrown for 2,058 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.
Iowa’s Sebastian Castro finished with four total tackles (three solo) in a dominant 40-14 victory over Northwestern. Sophomore linebacker Tony Rojas finished with three solo tackles in Penn State’s 28-13 victory over Wisconsin.
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Syracuse wide receiver Trebor Peña had five receptions for 51 yards with his longest reception for 20 yards. Peña has five touchdowns and 509 yards this season. Colorado kicker Alejandro Mata remains perfect in PATs this season. Mata contributed 10 points in the Buffaloes’ 34-23 victory against Cincinnati. Mata scored his longest field goal of the season for 47 yards.
San Diego State kicker Gabriel Plascencia made two field goals, the longest of 46 yards. Plascencia contributed eight points in the Aztecs’ 29-26 loss against Washington State.
Western Carolina quarterback Cole Gonzales completed 25 of 47 attempts for 395 yards and two touchdowns in a 44-34 loss against Mercer. Gonzales has thrown for 2,543 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.
Fernando Mendoza destroys Oregon State
Cal’s Fernando Mendoza had a solid performance against Oregon State. Mendoza completed 27 of 36 attempts for 364 yards and scored two touchdowns in Cal’s dominant 44-7 victory over Oregon State.
He scored one of his touchdowns after taking a lateral. The 6-foot-five Miami native has thrown for 2,095 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
Thomas Castellanos completed 13 of 28 passing attempts for 164 yards and scored three touchdowns in the Eagle’s 31-27 loss to Louisville. Castellanos has thrown for 1,352 yards with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Miami kicker Andy Borregales accounted for 12 points against FSU. Borregales went 3-for-3 in extra points and scored a 45-yard field goal. Junior tight end Elijah Arroyo had two receptions for 24 yards. Xavier Restrepo had four receptions for 24 yards.
Notre Dame defensive tackle Gabe Rubio had four tackles in the 51-15 victory over Navy. Illinois kicker David Olana made a 38-yard field goal in a 38-9 loss to No. 1 Oregon. True freshman defensive back Peyton Woodyard had one tackle for Oregon.
Photo courtesy of Miami athletics.
Carlos Leon-Trejo
Contributor
Carlos Leon-Trejo is a co-host on the Bring on the Blitz! podcast on the Our Esquina network. A graduate of the University of Houston-Victoria, Leon-Trejo teaches fifth grade math and science in Houston ISD.
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