‘He’s our silent assassin’: Sacramento State defense led by quiet playmaker Marte Mapu
Marte Mapu doesn’t say a whole lot but he plays loud, his efforts resonating in a sport big on collisions and momentum changes. And he is as subtle as a forearm to the chin, which belies his low-key approach outside the arena.
Mapu is Sacramento State’s do-all defender, a sturdy 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior who has drawn NFL scouting interest since summer workouts. He has intrigued evaluators with his ability to close space in a flash, to hit like a truck, for his instincts and build. Mapu is a preseason All-American at linebacker or defensive back. He is the Hornets’ rover, a cross between linebacker and safety, and he’ll surely play a role if the Hornets expect to threepeat as Big Sky Conference champions.
“He’s our silent assassin,” Hornets head coach Troy Taylor said Tuesday after practice. “He’s a guy who doesn’t say much. You won’t notice him when he comes into the room. Very cerebral, a super smart kid who makes plays.”
His big-play ability on defense has rewarded No. 6-ranked Sacramento State with its first 2-0 start in 20 seasons. A year ago, Mapu’s late interception sealed a victory at Idaho State, and his season-high 11 tackles were paramount in a win at Montana. In beating Northern Iowa last week, Mapu turned the game with a late interception that he returned 57 yards to set up the final score, a touchdown run by Asher O’Hara.
“I thought he was going to score!” Taylor said with a laugh. “He took some heat on that.”
Said Mapu, “I thought I was going to score, too!”
Mapu has a fan in his defensive coordinator Andy Thompson.
“He’s made a lot of plays,” Thompson said. “Very hard worker. Prepares tremendously and is really easy to coach in that he wants to be great. He’s truly a hybrid. Plays outside linebacker, can cover. He’s a modern-day nickle-safety.”
Mapu grew up playing sports in Hawthorne of Los Angeles County. He was so active that his mother Renee missed his company because he was never home. He played quarterback, receiver, linebacker, safety and cornerback in high school, his parents attending all the games. They still attend games. Mapu said he’s made them proud for having already earned a degree in sociology. He’s in the process of earning another in kinesiology, a study of the body’s movements.
“My mom loves me,” Mapu said with a laugh. “She loves to spoil me. I don’t like to be spoiled but she does everything for me. I know she loves me. She used to hate me for being away from the house, she liked me being around so much, when I was playing sports. Then she started to understand what I was doing.”
Mapu’s father, Vaa, inspires him.
“He never complains, no matter what,” Mapu said. “Just get it done, and he’s really giving. He’s really humble, quiet and modest.”
And a hard worker. Vaa Mapu works in ground operations for Southwest Airlines.
“He’s the offensive lineman of Southwest,” the son said with a laugh.
Mapu downplays any notion that he’s a star, saying, “I’m not looking to do anything too extra. It’s my job.”
Told that coach Taylor called him a quiet assassin, Mapu’s eyes brightened.
“That’s pretty cool,” he said. “Being an assassin is pretty scary, but that’s nice.”
No. 6 Sacramento State (2-0) at Colorado State (0-3)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: Fort Collins, Colorado
On air: ESPN1320
Quick hits: This marks the 20th consecutive season Sacramento State will play an FBS program. The Hornets are 2-22 all-time against FBS programs with the wins coming at Oregon State and Colorado in the early 2000s. ... Colorado State is 0-3 with losses to Michigan, Middle Tennessee and Washington State. ... Rams quarterback Clay Millen has been sacked 23 times, at least seven times in each contest. ... Sacramento State beat Northern Iowa 37-21 last week on three Asher O’Hara touchdown runs, three field goals from Kyle Sentowski and 110 yards rushing by Cameron Skattebo.