Sports Shorts

Boston College’s Tom Martin was considered a preseason all-star candidate, and the senior defensive tackle is doing his best to earn it on the field. Martin was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in his career last week for his play in Boston College’s 27-14 win over Penn State. Martin, who was starting his 27th consecutive game for the Golden Eagles, had five tackles, one quarterback sack, three quarterback hurries and a pass interception that he returned 25 yards. The 6-4, 281-pound defensive lineman returned his first career interception inside the Penn State 1-yard line, setting up a Boston score.

Martin is a graduate of Howell High School, where he was an all-state defensive lineman and rated one of the top college prospects in the Garden State.