Arizona running back JJ Taylor erupts against Oregon State
Sep 22, 2018, 4:28 PM | Updated: 4:50 pm
Arizona running back J.J. Taylor, celebrates as he crosses the goal line on a 40 yard touchdown run in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State, in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, Sept 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Timothy J. Gonzalez)
(AP Photo/Timothy J. Gonzalez)
In a game in which Khalil Tate didn’t look 100 percent, Arizona Wildcats running back J.J. Taylor had himself a day, erupting on the ground against the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday.
The redshirt sophomore running back accumulated 284 yards on 27 carries for two scores. He averaged 10.5 yards a carry.
But it was the way he did it that had people’s heads turning.
He got things started in a hurry in the first quarter.
Blink and you’ll miss him!
JJ Taylor goes 40 yards for his 2nd rushing score of the year.
We lead 7-0 with 12:37 to play in the 1st. #BearDown | #EraZona pic.twitter.com/nUVohwjF9d
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) September 22, 2018
Virtually untouched, Taylor finds the hole and runs the rock 40 yards for the first touchdown of the day.
And while he opened the game with a score, he also added the dagger late in the fourth quarter.
J.J. Taylor 62 yards to the HOUSE!
J.J. now has 284 yards on the day, which is the 4th-best mark in school history!
Cats lead it 35-14. #BearDown pic.twitter.com/wLSCRUlR9R
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) September 22, 2018
The sophomore saw his opening and took it, going 62 yards for the game-sealing touchdown.
With his near 300-yard game, Taylor ranks fourth in single-game rushing performances in Arizona history behind Ka’Deem Carey (366 yards), Tate (327) and Trung Canidate (288).
Before Saturday’s explosion, the running back’s highest mark on the ground was 168 yards in the team’s 47-28 win over Hawaii in 2016.
And while Taylor led the team in the running game, he wasn’t the only back to impress.
Running back Gary Brightwell also eclipsed the 100-yard mark on Saturday, rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
All the rushing yards!
Gary Brightwell picks up his 1st career rushing TD and the Cats take a 28-7 lead in the 4th.
We’ve totaled 352 rushing yards so far today. #BearDown pic.twitter.com/J61f3Ye763
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) September 22, 2018
The Wildcats’ rushing attack racked up 442 yards and three scores in their Pac-12 opener.
