Few football followers in the northeast would venture to call Fordham’s running back Xavier Martin a “secret weapon,” or a secret of any kind for that matter.
The third-year back from Staten Island burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2007, running for 635 yards despite playing behind then-senior Jonte Coven. His 112.2 all-purpose yards per game were good for third in the Patriot League and earned him league Rookie of the Year honors along with a spot on the all-league second team.
For an encore, Martin assumed the starting tailback position after Coven graduated and totaled 1,223 yards in 2008—the fourth-best single-season total in Fordham history.
But a secret is exactly what Martin was when he suited up against Columbia for the first game of his collegiate career—the sixth installment of the Liberty Cup in September 2007.
When he led Xaverian High School to a CHSAA AA city title his senior year, the school’s football program was still just 11 years old. Most big-name colleges either passed on him or said they wanted to try him out on defense.
Martin says that Fordham was sincere and wanted him to play tailback, but he was still the backup and still sharing time. Coven had already run for 185 yards in Fordham’s two games before the Liberty Cup and had also scored three touchdowns. Coven was, in Martin’s words, his “big brother,” teaching him how to grow as a running back and adapt to the college game.
“Back in high school I used to freestyle things,” Martin said. “I used my athleticism to my advantage over my opponents but in college he taught me how to watch film and how the offensive line would block.”
Martin was a quick learner, running the ball 25 times for 157 yards and three touchdowns against Columbia in his collegiate debut.
His immediate success was surprising, but his explanation was simple: he had finally found a rival.
“Back in high school I really never had a rival,” Martin said. “The tradition of the Liberty Cup has become big now because its two teams are in the same backyard, fighting to see who is the best team in New York City. Me being a New York City kid myself, I want to represent the team being the best in New York.”
Martin’s impression of the rivalry came from his coach, Tom Masella. Masella and the Rams had been dismantled by the Lions 37-7 in 2006 and Martin says Masella vowed never to let it happen again. Before the 2007 game, he had a special speech for his team.
“It was a lot of swear words so I can’t repeat everything,” Martin said. “It was very motivational. His first year as coach people always criticized him for that. 365 days a year, people nagging him.”
After Fordham’s 27-10 win in the Liberty Cup, Martin rushed for more than 100 yards in only one other game that season, against Georgetown. That was also the only other matchup in which he got more than 20 carries, as Covent remained the starter.
With the tandem of Covent and Martin in the backfield and a dangerous young quarterback in John Skelton, the Rams won a Patriot League title just a year after they had managed only three victories.
In 2008, Covent’s departure paved the way for Martin to team with Skelton and anchor the offense. Skelton again threw for more than 2,500 yards and Martin did his part, ranking 17th in the FCS in rushing yards. His effort included a second historic performance against Columbia in which he ran for 155 yards and four touchdowns.
However, the Rams as a team failed to meet expectations, going just 1-5 in Patriot League play and 5-6 overall.
With the 2009 season now under way, only one thing can make up for Fordham’s slide last year.
“If we win the Patriot League title that’d be great,” Martin said. “If I have a great individual season, I can’t say it would be a success.”
After losing to Rhode Island to open the 2009 campaign, how can Fordham win a league title? How about Martin’s individual success?
The Rams’ record when he rushed for less than 100 yards in 2008: 0-5.
Their record when he surpassed the century mark: 5-1.
As for the Lions, what do they need to do to end their two-game losing streak in the rivalry? How about prevent Martin’s individual success?
Martin has faced the Lions twice and run for more than 100 yards each time.
Fordham’s record: 2-0.
The secret is definitely out.
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