FAU junior running back Martese Jackson takes off running vs. Wagner on Friday. (Photo Courtesy of Ralph Notaro/ Owl Pix)
Action Jackson
FAU junior running back Martese Jackson set a school record for most yards rushing in a player's first game with 99 yards rushing but will have a hard time getting that many yards Saturday at Middle Tennessee.
Originally published on
9/6/2012
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON - Surely if the statisticians go over the game film of FAU's 7-3 victory vs. Wagner they can come up with one more measly yard rushing for running back Martese Jackson.
Jackson finished with 99 yards on 21 carries, just shy of breaking the 100-yard mark.
Jackson will have to settle for a school record of most rushing yards for a player in his first game.
Since it was his Division I debut, Jackson wasn't sure what to expect.
“I could have done better, but we got the W, so I'm not complaining,” Jackson said.
Jackson often used his 5-foot-6, 165-pound frame to make tacklers miss, but also showed he was tough to bring down on a few carries when he got some key yards after contact.
The only negative was Jackson's two fumbles, which the Owls will work to correct in practice.
FAU offensive coordinator Brian Wright liked what he saw out of Jackson, but saw some areas where he wants to see improvement.
“We've seen him preform well in camp,” Wright said. “Actually I thought he would have played better. He did what he does well, and we expected him to do that. But the fumbles are disappointing and we missed a couple of holes we needed to hit inside and instead he bounced outside. He has the ability to do that.”
Despite Jackson's dynamic debut, he probably won't get 21 carries again this week. Running back Jonathan Wallace (hamstring) and Damian Fortner (disciplined for breaking team rules) who both missed last week's game will be back for Saturday's game at Middle Tennessee and that means more running backs to choose from.
This week, Fortner is listed as the starter and Travis Jones the second-team running back.
But, as he showed last week, if given the shot, Jackson is adept at making the most of his chances.
“I was waiting for my opportunity to open up,” Jackson said.