Martin sets records in SRU win
SLIPPERY ROCK — Records are nice. Wins are nicer.
Slippery Rock University senior defensive end Marcus Martin made that message clear — on and off the field — Saturday night at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium, as SRU defeated Lock Haven, 33-7.
Martin had two quarterback sacks and three tackles for loss in the contest, breaking the NCAA Division II career records in both categories. He now has 47 sacks and 79.5 tackles for loss at The Rock. He needs only seven sacks to become the all-time leader in all of college football.
“You think of all the great college football players through the years, guys who have gone on to star in the NFL ... and a guy from Slippery Rock may get more sacks than any of them,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “That's a testament to how hard that kid has worked.
“And he keeps working. He's still going.”
Martin's record-setting sack occurred late in the first half. On the next play, he ran downfield and threw a block that helped spring Marcus Johnson for a 72-yard punt return down to the Lock Haven 10-yard line.
“It's all about winning,” Martin said. “Yeah, I was excited and a little tired. But if I can't suck it up for that eight to 10 seconds to help spring a play like that ... It might mean six points, maybe the winning points."
A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.