Jamaal Williams Breaks Lions’ Single-Season Rushing Touchdown Record
Jan 8, 2023, 9:08 PM | Updated: Jan 14, 2023, 3:30 pm
Jamaal Williams #30 of the Detroit Lions rushes for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU Cougars running back Jamaal Williams passed the legendary Barry Sanders to become the Detroit Lions‘ single-season touchdown record holder.
Williams’ former team, the Green Bay Packers, hosted the Lions at Lambeau Field on Sunday, January 8.
After his second score of the game, Williams had 12 carries for 58 yards and two touchdowns.
With 5:55 remaining in the fourth quarter, Williams powered into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown. It was Williams’ second touchdown of the game and 17th of the season. The score set a new Lions’ franchise mark and passed Sanders’ previous record of 16 rushing touchdowns in 1991.
Move aside, Barry Sanders.@jswaggdaddy now owns the @Lions' single-season rushing touchdown record with 17 TDs on the ground this season. #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #SNF #DETvsGB #OnePride #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/G2bkDnTsl8
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) January 9, 2023
The score capped a 13-play, 75-yard drive that took 8:03.
After the touchdown, the Lions posted a message from Sander to Williams on the team’s social media accounts.
A message from @BarrySanders to the #Lions' new single-season rushing TD record holder, @jswaggdaddy 💙 pic.twitter.com/pLdPRRLASg
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 9, 2023
Williams’ first score of the game came midway through the third quarter.
.@jswaggdaddy scores his 16th rushing touchdown of the season and ties Barry Sanders' @Lions single season record. #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #SNF #DETvsGB #OnePride #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/v8UuAJ4kka
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) January 9, 2023
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Earlier in the contest, the sixth-year running back reached 1,000 rushing yards for the season.
It’s the first time during his NFL career that Williams has joined the 1,000-yard rushing club. Earlier in the day, former BYU running back Tyler Allgeier became the first former Cougar to hit the mark. Williams joined Allgeier a few hours later.
Williams entered the game against the Packers with 246 carries for 994 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He’d also recorded 12 receptions for 73 yards.
A new franchise record for @jswaggdaddy!#OnePride pic.twitter.com/23MfFBds78
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 9, 2023
The Lions entered the contest with an 8-8 record this season, including 3-4 on the road.
Detroit’s game against Green Bay is broadcast on KSL 5 TV.
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About Jamaal Williams
Before his time in the NFL, Williams was a star at BYU. He finished his time in Provo as the Cougars’ all-time leading rusher in both career and single-yard yards.
During his time at BYU (2012-14, 2016), Williams ran the ball 726 times for 3,901 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also had 60 receptions for 567 yards and a touchdown. Williams only lost two fumbles during his college career.
One more time, @jswaggdaddy! 😂#DETvsGB on NBC and @peacock.
pic.twitter.com/hlpf0MCZau— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 9, 2023
Following his time at BYU, the Southern California native was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played the first four seasons of his professional career with the Packers before signing with the Lions in 2021.
RELATED: Lions RB Jamaal Williams Runs For 15th Touchdown Of Season Against Bears
Before Week 18, Williams had run for 3,580 yards and 28 touchdowns during his six seasons in the league.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
