Nov. 18, 2017
By Greg Ostendorf
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - The opportunities for Kam Martin have come few and far between this season running behind Kerryon Johnson. That's just how it goes when you back up a Doak Walker Award semifinalist and arguably the SEC's best running back.
Coming into Saturday, Johnson had seen 28 or more carries in four Auburn's last five games. He was the SEC leader in rushing yards (1,035) and rushing touchdowns (15) despite missing two games early in the season. His 16 touchdowns in conference play are three more than any other SEC player, and he'd rushed for more than 100 yards in five of the last six games.
But Martin not only knows his role, he embraces it.
"I'm a change-of-pace back, just doing whatever I have to do to help the team and that's what I'm going to do," he said. "I love that role. I just want to help out the team."
So when Johnson carried it six straight times on the opening drive of the second half Saturday, the coaches called Martin's number to come in and give Johnson a breather. The 5-foot-10, 182-pound sophomore knew what needed to do.
"Make a spark," Martin said. "Change the pace. And get in the end zone."
On what was his first carry of the game, Martin burst through the middle and took it 31 yards down to the Louisiana Monroe 1-yard line. Rather than bringing Johnson back on the field, the coaches stuck with Martin, who plowed in from one yard out on the very next play to score just his second touchdown on the season. It extended the Auburn lead to 21-7.
"K.J. was a little tired on one of those drives," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "I think we started backed up and then we put [Martin] in and it was like he was shot out of a cannon. He's done a solid job for us all year doing that. He's protected the football. He really gave us a boost when he came in."
"I love Kam," added Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham. "He brings us a little spark. He is a tiny back who can hit those holes, and he is able to bounce at any play. So he did a great job coming in and doing his job and getting us rolling."
The touchdown run was only the beginning for Martin on Saturday. Later in the third quarter, when Stidham dropped back to pass and found nobody open, he threw a short pass to a wide-open Martin near the sideline. When Martin caught it, he took off running and made one cut back inside before crossing the goal line for his second score of the game.
It was only the fifth catch of Martin's career, and it went for a 41-yard touchdown.
"I was the check down," Martin said. "The ball wasn't really supposed to come to me, but it ended up coming my way, and I just had to look it in and just make a play."
After that drive, with Auburn ahead 28-7, the coaches felt comfortable going with Martin and Malik Miller in the backfield the rest of the way. Martin finished with with 83 yards on 12 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per carry, and Miller added a late 1-yard touchdown run in the Tigers' 42-14 victory. For Martin, it was his highest rushing output since he ran for 136 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against Georgia Southern.
"Every run I can remember, if he gets even a crease, he's through it," Johnson said. "I like to call him slithery. He gets through there, and if he gets five yards of open space, he can get up to full speed very fast. It's hard not to play him."
With No. 1 Alabama on tap for next Saturday, you can expect to see a heavy dose of Johnson. It wouldn't surprise anybody if the junior running back saw 30 or more carries against Auburn's in-state rival. But Martin will be there, ready to give the offense spark when called upon.
"I'm just doing whatever it takes for the team," Martin said.
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf