The Tuesday Quotebook: Martin Facing Adjustment Period

Oliver Martin hasn’t played a lot in Iowa’s offense since his transfer from Michigan early in the summer.

It’s nothing personal, Iowa wide receivers coach Kelton Copeland said.

“Everybody wants Oliver to play right now,” Copeland said during Tuesday’s media availability with selected assistant coaches. “It’s kind of unfair.

"Number one, it takes a lot for any young man, whether he’s coming from high school or coming from another four-year institution, it takes a lot to learn what’s being asked of you. To come in, that, in itself, is going to be a process.”

Martin, an Iowa City native, has played in seven of the Hawkeyes’ eight games this season. He has five catches for 28 yards and one touchdown.

The Hawkeyes are down one receiver with Brandon Smith being out for the next 2-4 weeks with an injury to his right leg. Tyrone Tracy has moved into Smith’s starting job, but Martin isn’t on the two-deep at either receiver spot.

“To his credit, he’s done a very good job of being accountable,” Copeland said. “I have no issue with Oliver on the field. He’s fun in meetings, he’s a joy to coach. Moving forward, it’s can he push forward? Obviously, there’s opportunity with Brandon being out, we need guys to step up.”

The Hawkeyes are on their second bye week of the season, and Copeland said it’s a crucial week for all of the receivers.

“Every day is a competition. It’s a race to get better,” Copeland said. “There’s always a job. Whether it’s a starting job or a backup job, there’s always a job.”

The trust in Goodson

Tyler Goodson is second on the Hawkeyes in rushing attempts this season as a true freshman running back.

Running backs coach Derrick Foster said that’s because Goodson has proven he can what the Hawkeyes need out of that position.

“When we put him in some crucial situations, he didn’t budge,” Foster said. “He trusted, he took great care of the football. He did what we asked him to do. He took care of the ball, he took care of the quarterback. Once he was able to prove consistently that he can handle this amount, this amount, this amount of the load, I think we were able to feel more comfortable with him.

“I think he’s earned that trust. He’s earned that right to be on the football field.”

Goodson has 64 carries for 316 yards and a touchdown. He also has 19 receptions for 139 yards.

Kelly-Martin’s status

Junior running back Ivory Kelly-Martin has played in just four games this season, which would allow him to gain a redshirt season if he doesn’t play the rest of the season, especially with Mekhi Sargent, Toren Young and Goodson getting the bulk of the carries.

“He is very in tune,” Foster said. “He’s not taken any days off as a player. And I think that’s what I appreciate about Ivory. He’s giving great feedback on the sideline in games, he’s been very attentive in practice. He’s very much involved in the game — he knows what’s going on.”

Foster said Kelly-Martin could still be used this season if necessary.

“It’s not easy,” Foster said. “Everybody wants to be out there playing, obviously. … I just like his attention to detail, and that he’s been very focused through this process.”