Lions RB Jamaal Williams Ties NFL Great Barry Sanders With Impressive Feat
Nov 20, 2022, 1:05 PM
Jamaal Williams #30 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU and current Lions running back Jamaal Williams equaled an achievement set by NFL great Barry Sanders during Detroit’s game against the New York Giants.
The Giants hosted the Lions at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, November 20.
With 54 seconds to go in the second quarter, Williams scored on a one-yard touchdown run to give the Lions a 17-6 lead. It was the running back’s second score of the quarter.
Another one @jswaggdaddy. He lives in the end zone. 🏠#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #OnePride #DETvsNYG #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/NrCxnVcByH
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) November 20, 2022
Williams’ first score came at the 4:38 mark of the second quarter.
With the touchdowns, Williams recorded his fifth multi-touchdown game of the season, equaling Sanders’ franchise record. Williams also became the first NFL player to score multiple rushing touchdowns in at least half of his team’s first 10 contests since LaDainian Tomlinson did so in 2006.
#Lions RB Jamaal Williams has his 5th game this season with multiple rushing TDs, tying Barry Sanders for the most in a season in Lions history, per @ESPNStatsInfo. https://t.co/PbzNKPXLpO
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) November 20, 2022
During the first half, Williams ran the ball eight times for 40 yards and two touchdowns.
After the break, The Lions opened the third quarter with a nine-play, 56-yard touchdown drive that ended with a third rushing score by Williams. The touchdown pushed Detroit’s lead to 24-6.
.@jswaggdaddy gets the 🎩 trick.
A single-game career-high three rushing touchdowns by the former @BYUfootball star.#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #OnePride #DETvsNYG #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/1t2OwhiBgk
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) November 20, 2022
Williams entered the Week 11 game with 142 carries for 604 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022.
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The Lions entered the game with a 3-6 record this season.
Detroit’s game against New York is broadcast on FOX and NFL Sunday Ticket.
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.
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.
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).
