NAU Freshman RJ Martinez Added to Jerry Rice Award Watch List

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 27, 2021) – After helping lead Northern Arizona to a victory against the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson, a Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week honor for his performance against Idaho State and a record-setting output while retaining the Grand Canyon Trophy, Northern Arizona freshman quarterback RJ Martinez was one of 22 players named to the Stats Perform Jerry Rice Award Watch List on Wednesday.

Through five games this season, Martinez has thrown for 1,219 yards while completing 62.9 percent of his passes (100-of-159). The true freshman from Austin, Texas has also thrown nine touchdowns to just two interceptions for a passer rating of 143.5.

A clear dual threat out of the backfield, Martinez ranks second on the team with 183 yards rushing on 39 attempts, with three touchdowns including a 41-yard score against the Idaho State Bengals.

Following a 48-17 victory against Idaho State, in which Martinez passed for 369 yards and three touchdowns in addition to the touchdown run, the freshman was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week. Two weeks later following Northern Arizona's bye, Martinez passed for 417 yards, the 11th-most in a single game in program history, with five touchdown passes and two 1-yard rushing scores to earn Honorable Mention National Performer of the Week from the College Football Performance Awards.
  
The Jerry Rice Award, named after the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver, has been presented to the FCS Freshman Player of the Year since 2011. Four recipients of the Jerry Rice Award moved on to play in the NFL, including Los Angeles Rams receiver and former Eastern Washington receiver Cooper Kupp.

Martinez is the third player to land on the Watch List, with teammate Hendrix Johnson added during his freshman season in 2019 and former Northern Arizona quarterback Case Cookus winning the award in 2015.

The freshman is also one of just three players from the Big Sky Conference on the initial watch list as Martinez is joined by Portland State receiver Nate Bennett and Montana State kicker Blake Gessner.
 
A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the award following the regular season.

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