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Damien Martinez burns Iowa State for 75-yard house call in Pop-Tarts Bowl
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Damien Martinez and Miami had a quick response to Iowa State’s opening drive touchdown in Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando.
The Cyclones needed just over 3 and a half minutes to take a 7-0 lead over the Hurricanes as they cashed in on a short field caused by a Canes fumble. One play after the ensuing kickoff, though, Martinez was in the end zone, taking a carry 75 yards to the end zone.
Here’s video of the big play:
That put Martinez at double-digits in touchdowns for the first time in his career. He entered the game with 9, which matched his total from a season ago. Martinez also started the day with 823 yards on 145 carries.
He began his college career at Oregon State, running for 982 yards and 7 touchdowns as a true freshman with the Beavers as he was named the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year while garnering All-Pac-12 first-team honors. He upped his total to 1,185 yards as a sophomore and was named first-team all-conference once more.
Martinez has had a strong first season with the Hurricanes. And with three seasons of college ball in the books, he’ll have a decision to make — one more year at Miami, the transfer portal, or the NFL Draft.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
