Every season, a new name emerges – one that makes fans sit up, take notice, and wonder just how far a young athlete can go. For Red Martel, that moment came under the Saturday night lights in Durant. Martel showed the kind of talent and toughness that turns heads across a conference – and makes a hometown proud.

The true freshman running back from Beggs, delivered a breakout performance for Southwestern Oklahoma State University, helping lead the Bulldogs to a 35-14 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State – their first victory of the 2025 season and their first over the Savage Storm since 2019. Martel, a graduate of Beggs High School, ran for a career-best 167 yards on 16 carries, including two electric touchdown runs of 44 and 66 yards. He averaged 10.4 yards per carry, accounting for nearly all of SWOSU’s rushing production and igniting an offense that had struggled to find its rhythm early in the season.

Right from the start, Martel made his presence known. His first collegiate touchdown came early – and emphatically. After the Bulldogs forced a punt on Southeastern’s opening possession, Martel took his first carry of the game and exploded for a 44-yard touchdown, sprinting down the left sideline and into the end zone.

After Southeastern took a 14-7 lead into halftime, Martel once again flipped the script. Following a long game-tying drive by the Bulldogs, he needed just one play on the next possession to shift the momentum: a 66yard touchdown run, untouched and unstoppable down the sideline. His big-play ability provided the spark SWOSU needed to overcome a halftime deficit and take control of the game.

From that moment on, the Bulldogs never looked back. The defense shut out Southeastern in the second half, forcing three turnovers and limiting the Savage Storm to just 14 yards in the third quarter. But the tone had been set – and it was Martel who set it. A former standout at Beggs High, Martel’s performance in Durant wasn’t just about big yardage – it was about making the most of the moment. On a night when SWOSU needed a spark, the freshman delivered with poise, confidence, and game-breaking ability that belied his age.

It was, in every sense, a coming-out party.

Now 1-2 on the season, the Bulldogs head back to Weatherford with new energy and a rising star in the backfield. Martel will look to build on his breakout as SWOSU prepares for its Family Day matchup against Oklahoma Baptist, set for Saturday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at home.

With family, coaches, and friends back in Beggs watching proudly, Red Martel is already proving that he’s not just ready for the college stage – he’s ready to lead.

— Red Martel Stats

• 16 Carries

• 167 Rushing Yards

• 2 Touchdowns (44, 66 Yards)

• 10.4 Yards Per Carry