Arizona Wildcats: J.J. Taylor Tops Season Rushing Total in One Game

Arizona Wildcats running back J.J. Taylor had more rushing yards in Week 4 than all three previous games combined.

If you are a fan or supporter of the Arizona Wildcats, you’re feeling pretty good about the team’s Week 4 win over Oregon State. Not only did they bring their record up to an even 2-2 but they did it against a legitimate Power-5 opponent. It was their first conference game of the season.

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And judging from the score, 35-14, you’d expect to see gigantic numbers from quarterback Khalil Tate. This time, however, you’d be wrong; J.J. Taylor, a sophomore running back, absolutely went off against the Beavers. On 28 carries, Taylor ran for 284 yards and two touchdowns.

Besides the fact that his total from Week 4 was the most ever at Reser Stadium, it was also more than he gained in his three previous games combined. The same can be said for his touchdown total.

As Arizona’s No. 1 back, Taylor compiled 193 rushing yards and one touchdown on 44 carries between Week 1 and Week 3.

In their Week 4 win, Taylor wasted no time getting his motor started. The Wildcats’ first drive ended with a 40-yard rushing touchdown by Taylor, followed by several other long gains in the first half. When the second half started, he turned it up to the next level.

On Arizona’s first drive of the second half, they fed the sophomore on their first four plays, resulting in 38 yards on four carries. They’d eventually score a touchdown to give them a commanding 21-7 lead. After that, he had runs of 13 and 24 yards on their next drive, also resulting in a touchdown. Finally, on their next drive, he started with a nine-yard gain and then took it to the house from 62 yards out two plays later. That would be his last carry of the game but the damage was already done. The result? A huge game for Taylor and a win that could turn Arizona’s season around.

Per Arizona’s official Twitter account, it was the fourth-highest rushing total in school history.

Next week on September 29th, the Wildcats will play USC at home in Tucson at 10:30 P.M ET.