Quinton Martin Jr. spent last week with a lot on his mind.
The Penn State running back had to sit with a surprising decision from Matt Campbell after not getting an offensive snap in the Nittany Lions’ 27-9 win over Temple. The trip back from Philadelphia to State College lasted about four hours, giving Martin plenty of time to process what happened and, as he put it, feel “discouraged.”
That response didn’t linger.
By the time Penn State lined up against Buffalo, Martin had turned the frustration into fuel. He responded with the best kind of answer a back can give: production.
Martin led Penn State’s running backs with 10 carries and finished with 100 yards, his second career game reaching that mark. He also ripped off a 61-yard run and looked set to score before being tripped up at the 7-yard line.
Afterward, Martin didn’t hide from the reality of last week.
“That’s a part of life,” Martin said following the Buffalo win. “Not everything happens the way you expect.”
What changed? The work that followed Temple.
After talking things over with his parents and clearing his head last Sunday, Martin said he came back focused and steady.
“I came in, practiced, watched film, talked to coaches, and lifted just steady-headed,” Martin Jr. said.
Campbell noticed the difference and said Martin’s week of work showed up on game day.
“Quinton really had a great moment,” Campbell said. “And if you ask Q, this was maybe one of his best weeks of practice, and I think he took that into the ability to execute at a really high rate on the football field.”
Martin’s showing wasn’t lost on the people around him, either. Backup center Vaea Ikakoula, who entered for normal starter Brock Riker and was still settling in with the running backs, came away impressed.
“He was a hard runner, and that’s what I think he shows. He’s a hard worker.
I think that shows that about him,” Ikakoula said. “He just comes out every day.
He works hard, and I’m glad we got to break him free. He’s a great running back.
He’s a great person.”
The carry split against Buffalo reflected a backfield still sorting itself out: Martin had 10, James Peoples and Cam Wallace had eight apiece, and normal starter Carson Hansen had five. Whether that holds going forward will depend on game flow, the hot hand, and the work done during the week.
Martin is clearly intent on making the decision as difficult as possible.
He’s one of several holdovers from the James Franklin era trying to show his value to a new coach, and he said the goal is simple: keep improving every day.
“I’m just trying to get 1% better every day,” Martin said. “Every day, it’s finding a new thing to get better at - protection one day, run reads the next day, just constantly getting better.”
For Martin, the message from last week has already been absorbed. The frustration, the bus ride, the wait - all of it gave him time to think about what he needed to do next.
Now he wants his play to make the case for him.
“If you want to play, you’ve got to convince him,” Martin said. “Because at the end of the day, it’s his team.
He decides who’s on and off the field. So I just had to put my pride aside and go to work.”
In Other News...
Penn State Has A New Injury Worry Before Wisconsin
Penn State came out of its Week 3 win over Buffalo with a couple of fresh concerns, even if the immediate outlook sounds relatively manageable. Starting center Brock Riker and tight end Andrew Rappleyea both went down in the first half, briefly thinning out two spots the Nittany Lions would rather keep stable as the schedule tightens.
Head coach Matt Campbell called both players dinged up and said neither injury appears serious, adding that either one likely could have returned if the game had demanded it. Still, with Wisconsin next on the Big Ten slate, Penn State will be watching closely to make sure both are ready, because the margin for error gets a lot smaller once conference play starts to bite. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Suddenly Has A Tight End Concern Fans Know Too Well
Penn States passing game took a hit in Week 3 when Andrew Rappleyea left the Buffalo game in the first half with a right shoulder injury and did not return. The tight end room has been a point of emphasis in the offense, and losing a player in that spot can ripple through both the run game and the short passing game, especially early in the season when roles are still settling.
The good news for the Nittany Lions is that there is no shortage of options waiting behind him. Gabe Burkle, Benjamin Brahmer and Finn Furmanek are all available to absorb snaps and keep the position group moving, even as the team waits for more clarity on Rappleyeas status. Penn State could also be monitoring the health of starting center Brock Riker, who left the game earlier and did not return, though it is still unclear whether his exit was injury-related. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Found A New Playmaker Fans Will Be Talking About
Penn States 55-13 win over Buffalo at Beaver Stadium gave the Nittany Lions plenty to like beyond the final score, and one of the biggest takeaways was the emergence of Koby Howard as a new offensive spark. Howard found the end zone in more than one way, breaking loose for a 20-yard rushing touchdown and later turning a pass into a 70-yard receiving score, the kind of all-purpose burst that tends to stick with a fan base.
The supporting cast did its part, too, as Caleb Bacon and Yvan Kemajou helped set the tone defensively with tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Zay Robinson also added value in the return game with meaningful punt return yardage, giving Penn State another layer of field-position help in a game that looked comfortable but still offered a few fresh names worth watching as the season builds. [Read more 🡒]