Damien Martinez has run well versus California in his career
In two games versus California playing for Oregon State in 2022 and 2023, Miami running back Damien Martinez ran 40 times for 194 yards and one touchdown with two receptions for 22 yards. Martinez will play versus California for a third time on Saturday night when Miami is in Berkeley.
Martinez had 23 carries for 105 yards and one reception for six yards in a 38-10 Oregon State win over California in 2022. Oregon State had 362 yards of offense. The Beavers defense held California to 156 yards in the dominant win. Cal was tied for 65th nationally in 2022 allowing 149.71 rushing yards per game.
Martinez ran 17 times for 89 yards and a TD with one reception for 16 yards in a 52-40 Oregon State win in Berkeley in 2023. Oregon State had 499 yards, including 203 rushing. D.J. Uiagalelei was 19-25 for 275 yards, five TDs and no interceptions for Oregon State.
Martinez and Deshaun Fenwick thrashed a good California run defense that finished 37th nationally in 2023 allowing 133.38 ards per game. The 203 rushing yards by Oregon State were second to Utah who ran 53 times for 317 yards and four TDs versus California during the 2023 season.
Wilcox also credited Cam Ward, Damien Martinez and the rest of the Miami RB room as some of the best players they’ll see this season
— Write For California LIVE (@WriteForCalLive) October 1, 2024
Noted that it will take everyone on defense, that it needs to be all about team defense for as long as necessary
Fenwick who was the backup to Martinez in 2023 had 17 carries for 76 yards versus California in 2023. California has continued improving stopping the run in 2024. The Golden Bears are 29th nationally in 2024 allowing 105.25 rushing yards per game. California is holding opponents to 3.21 yards per carry.
The three Cal FBS opponents are averaging 112.67 rushing yards per game and 3.19 YPC. San Diego State RB Marquez Cooper had the most success of any individual RB this season versus California with 22 carries for 87 yards. Lawrance Toafili of Florida State had 17 carries for 80 yards and a TD versus California.
Martinez has 54 carries for 250 yards and four TDs and six receptions for 79 yards this season. Martinez is way off the pace of his average of 1,083.5 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons. With the focus on the passing game, Martinez has become a complementary player for Miami offensively.
Miami will face toughest 2024 pass defense versus California. dark. Next. Miami will face toughest 2024 pass defense versus California
Miami has a difficult challenge offensively at California versus a top-30 defense nationally, in a night game in front of what should be a raucous Golden Bears crowd. Saturday is the first of three 2024 games for Miami versus top 25 defenses. Louisville is 17th, California 23rd and Duke 25th.