Xavier University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1981
- Class:
- 1951
Defense was a big key in the 1950 Salad Bowl victory over Arizona State. John Martinkovic was a big part of that Musketeer defense.
"Martinkovic on the tackle," was no doubt heard on the public address system many times during the New Year's Day classic, the forerunner of today's Fiesta Bowl. The huge defensive lineman was a mainstay in the late 1940's and early 1950's for the Musketeers.
Xavier finished 10-1 in the "Salad Bowl Season," Martinkovic's junior year, and 8-1 in his senior season.
Martinkovic came to the Musketeers from Hamilton Catholic High School, where he was an All-State performer. Upon arriving at Xavier, he quickly got a reputation for being one of the toughest players in the Midwest to run on. He had great lateral movement and often running away from him created more problems for the opposition than running right at him.
"Cooch" was also one of the top pass rushers in the country at the time and played one of his top games on the line against Cincinnati during the 1949 season. In that game, he time after time found his way into the Cincinnati backfield and sacked Cincinnati's quarterback, Gene Rossi, several times.
After leaving Xavier the former Navy veteran went on to be a starting defensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers.
