Kansas State University Athletics
Martinez’s Special Night in Norman
Sep 26, 2022 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Sometimes in these games these guys play, we witness things so remarkable that words simply fall short. That could be the case with Kansas State senior transfer quarterback Adrian Martinez, who today is preparing for Texas Tech just 48 hours after putting together one of the most memorable performances ever by a K-State quarterback.
Martinez was sensational. He was brilliant. He nearly amassed 400 total yards and scored five touchdowns, including four on the ground, in leading the Wildcats to their 41-34 victory over No. 6 Oklahoma — taking down the habitual Big 12 Champions in their home while scoring their most points ever in Norman.
Take a bow, Adrian Martinez. Oh, wait, he did that already to the dismay of 84,376 at Memorial Stadium, where the Sooners rarely lose — except to the Wildcats.
Where does this win rank in Martinez's career?
"Without a doubt it's No. 1," Martinez told reporters. "Shoot, it's still registering with me right now, you know what I mean? Just coming to that realization that it's real, we did it, we played to the best of our abilities tonight, and we took it to them. It's without a doubt my favorite game of all-time."
Martinez completed 21 of 34 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown. He rushed 21 times for 148 yards and four scores on the ground. He entered the game with 304 passing yards in his first three games as a Wildcat. Then he put on a show that we'll talk about for years to come — and not just because of his performance, but also because so many people wondered if this was possible. In fall camp, he was whizzing 50-yard dimes. During the non-conference, rarely unleashed his fury. He took heat from outsiders all week long following a 17-10 loss to Tulane.
But here we are, and Martinez starred on the big stage on national television, and he is making a strong argument that he's one of the more dangerous signal-callers in the Big 12 Conference.
"That Martinez kid is a pretty good player," K-State head coach Chris Klieman told reporters. "I told him last week that I believed in him even after the loss, I said, 'I believe in you and everyone in this room believes in you.' Met with him again on Sunday, told him how much I loved him, how much I believed in him, and just go out and play and have fun and rip it.
"And he did."
He looked every bit like the guy that entered the season as one of just two active FBS quarterbacks to throw for 8,000 yards and rush for 2,000 in a career.
Someone asked Klieman if Martinez's performance amazed him.
"It doesn't amaze me," he replied. "I think the expectation is there from us, and I think the expectations are there from him. I'm just so proud of how he responded today against a dang-good team in a tough environment. That was a lot of fun to watch."
There's one play that everyone is talking about. K-State led 34-27 and faced third-and-16 at its own 41-yard line. No huddle. Four receivers darted downfield. Martinez looked for a cover-3 coverage that would allow him to exploit a seam, perhaps get the ball to Malik Knowles, as they had done a couple times.
Martinez saw a crease. He took it.
"(I was thinking) win this game," Martinez said. "We're going to have to take it. It wasn't going to be given to us. Let's go take this thing. Just proud that the crease was there, and guys believed in me and I was able to make it happen."
He raced 55 yards down the sideline. On the very next play, he rushed three yards into the end zone, stood inside the end zone, and took a bow.
"It was fitting for the moment," Martinez said. "Guys loved it. The refs didn't love it a lot, but hey, it's all right."
It's been quite a journey for Martinez. A native of Fresno, California, Martinez starred at Clovis West High School. He was ranked as the No. 56 player in the ESPN300 and the No. 4 pocket passer in the 2018 recruiting class. He received dozens of scholarship offers and chose Nebraska over Tennessee.
Martinez entered the season having completed 670 of 1,055 passes for 8,491 yards and 45 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 39 career games at Nebraska. He also had 508 carries for 2,301 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground. His 35 career rushing touchdowns ranked eighth among active FBS players and second among quarterbacks in 2021.
While at Nebraska, he set 17 school records. He was the only four-time team captain in Nebraska history.
He transferred to K-State last December.
Last season, he led Nebraska on the doorstep of stealing a victory over Oklahoma. The Huskers fell short, 23-16. Martinez threw for 289 yards and one touchdown and one interception.
"It's hard to speak on the difference between the two teams, but I will speak on what I think makes this team great, and that's our culture," Martinez said. "I think Coach Klieman is an incredible leader, and I think we have a special group, a group that's able to bounce back after a tough loss, and come out here against — I don't know what they're ranked, doesn't matter — a really good team, and come ready to play, and know we can win, and win."
K-State scored its most points in Norman in a series that dates to 1908. In the last decade, we've seen K-State enter Memorial Stadium undaunted and leave with a win. We've seen sensational performances.
At times, we've even been at a loss for words.
Klieman has some words to share.
"Let's credit Adrian Martinez," he said. "He had a tough week, and he took it. He's a pretty good football player, guys. I can't say enough about his performance.
"I believe in that kid. I think the kid is a winner, and our players believe in him."
Most of all, Martinez never stopped believing in himself.
Sometimes in these games these guys play, we witness things so remarkable that words simply fall short. That could be the case with Kansas State senior transfer quarterback Adrian Martinez, who today is preparing for Texas Tech just 48 hours after putting together one of the most memorable performances ever by a K-State quarterback.
Martinez was sensational. He was brilliant. He nearly amassed 400 total yards and scored five touchdowns, including four on the ground, in leading the Wildcats to their 41-34 victory over No. 6 Oklahoma — taking down the habitual Big 12 Champions in their home while scoring their most points ever in Norman.
Take a bow, Adrian Martinez. Oh, wait, he did that already to the dismay of 84,376 at Memorial Stadium, where the Sooners rarely lose — except to the Wildcats.
Since 1999, Oklahoma has captured 14 Big 12 championships and has lost 12 games at home over that stretch. K-State has accounted for four of those losses behind the arms of Collin Klein, Jake Waters, Skylar Thompson, and now Martinez.Good morning 😁 pic.twitter.com/xjqvsZnYSJ
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) September 25, 2022
Where does this win rank in Martinez's career?
"Without a doubt it's No. 1," Martinez told reporters. "Shoot, it's still registering with me right now, you know what I mean? Just coming to that realization that it's real, we did it, we played to the best of our abilities tonight, and we took it to them. It's without a doubt my favorite game of all-time."
Martinez completed 21 of 34 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown. He rushed 21 times for 148 yards and four scores on the ground. He entered the game with 304 passing yards in his first three games as a Wildcat. Then he put on a show that we'll talk about for years to come — and not just because of his performance, but also because so many people wondered if this was possible. In fall camp, he was whizzing 50-yard dimes. During the non-conference, rarely unleashed his fury. He took heat from outsiders all week long following a 17-10 loss to Tulane.
But here we are, and Martinez starred on the big stage on national television, and he is making a strong argument that he's one of the more dangerous signal-callers in the Big 12 Conference.
"That Martinez kid is a pretty good player," K-State head coach Chris Klieman told reporters. "I told him last week that I believed in him even after the loss, I said, 'I believe in you and everyone in this room believes in you.' Met with him again on Sunday, told him how much I loved him, how much I believed in him, and just go out and play and have fun and rip it.
"And he did."
He looked every bit like the guy that entered the season as one of just two active FBS quarterbacks to throw for 8,000 yards and rush for 2,000 in a career.
Someone asked Klieman if Martinez's performance amazed him.
"It doesn't amaze me," he replied. "I think the expectation is there from us, and I think the expectations are there from him. I'm just so proud of how he responded today against a dang-good team in a tough environment. That was a lot of fun to watch."
There's one play that everyone is talking about. K-State led 34-27 and faced third-and-16 at its own 41-yard line. No huddle. Four receivers darted downfield. Martinez looked for a cover-3 coverage that would allow him to exploit a seam, perhaps get the ball to Malik Knowles, as they had done a couple times.
Martinez saw a crease. He took it.
"(I was thinking) win this game," Martinez said. "We're going to have to take it. It wasn't going to be given to us. Let's go take this thing. Just proud that the crease was there, and guys believed in me and I was able to make it happen."
He raced 55 yards down the sideline. On the very next play, he rushed three yards into the end zone, stood inside the end zone, and took a bow.
"It was fitting for the moment," Martinez said. "Guys loved it. The refs didn't love it a lot, but hey, it's all right."
It's been quite a journey for Martinez. A native of Fresno, California, Martinez starred at Clovis West High School. He was ranked as the No. 56 player in the ESPN300 and the No. 4 pocket passer in the 2018 recruiting class. He received dozens of scholarship offers and chose Nebraska over Tennessee.
Martinez entered the season having completed 670 of 1,055 passes for 8,491 yards and 45 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 39 career games at Nebraska. He also had 508 carries for 2,301 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground. His 35 career rushing touchdowns ranked eighth among active FBS players and second among quarterbacks in 2021.
While at Nebraska, he set 17 school records. He was the only four-time team captain in Nebraska history.
He transferred to K-State last December.
Last season, he led Nebraska on the doorstep of stealing a victory over Oklahoma. The Huskers fell short, 23-16. Martinez threw for 289 yards and one touchdown and one interception.
"It's hard to speak on the difference between the two teams, but I will speak on what I think makes this team great, and that's our culture," Martinez said. "I think Coach Klieman is an incredible leader, and I think we have a special group, a group that's able to bounce back after a tough loss, and come out here against — I don't know what they're ranked, doesn't matter — a really good team, and come ready to play, and know we can win, and win."
K-State scored its most points in Norman in a series that dates to 1908. In the last decade, we've seen K-State enter Memorial Stadium undaunted and leave with a win. We've seen sensational performances.
At times, we've even been at a loss for words.
Klieman has some words to share.
"Let's credit Adrian Martinez," he said. "He had a tough week, and he took it. He's a pretty good football player, guys. I can't say enough about his performance.
"I believe in that kid. I think the kid is a winner, and our players believe in him."
Most of all, Martinez never stopped believing in himself.
Players Mentioned
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