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Martinek provides spark with 139 yards and 2 TDs
BY MIKE VORKUNOV
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
WEST POINT, N.Y. — There was nothing pretty about Friday night in West Point. Not the weather, when heavy rains assailed both teams. Not the crowd, where the best Army team in over a decade was supported by only a half-full Michie Stadium. And certainly not Rutgers' 27-10 victory over the Black Knights.
But a win is a win, and who is to quibble.
Tom Savage struggled in his first game on the road, but Joe Martinek was there to pick him up, and more impressively so were his teammates in the facets of the game.
Steve Beauharnais provided the game changing play on the last play of the first quarter. With Army set to punt from their own 29-yard line, Beauharnais blew through the line blocked Jonathan Bulls' punt, scooped it up and ran it for a touchdown to give Rutgers a 17-3 lead.On top of that the Knights forced four fumbles and recovered three of them. With the offense stagnant at times, it created new opportunities for Rutgers.
Coach Greg Schiano attributed his team's abilities to create turnovers thanks to his upperclassmen. Junior Joe Lefeged and Senior George Johnson each forced a fumble, while Junior Alex Silvestro and senior Damaso Munoz each recovered one.
"I think it's the same point of emphasis [to force turnovers] since we've been here, I think the players are better," said Schiano. "I think the players that are on defense, right now I think we have a little more experienced player on defense. And when you're experienced you tend to be able to do a little bit more. Just the comfort level. When you're young you're just trying to do your job and not screw it up."
But it was Beauharnais that opened the flood gates.
"Steve is a tremendous athlete. I see a lot more than you do in practice," said Schiano. "Damaso is playing well but Steven if he stays healthy and continues to play well will be a real good player."
When Rutgers got the ball, it was Martinek who provided the spark. He rushed for 139 yards on 25 carries, scoring twice.
Afterwards Schiano praised Martinek.
"I think he ran well," Schiano said. "And a couple of those he came spitting out... Joe is a strong guy so as the game goes on, defenses wear down and he's still strong."
Related:
Rutgers freshman QB Tom Savage happy to get win in first road game
