UPDATED: He would miss the single-game rushing record by 77 yards (Adrian Peterson, 296 in 2007) and touchdown mark by two (Gayle Sayers), but Derrick Henry had a career night versus Jacksonville.
The former Alabama standout totaled 238 yards rushing with four scores on 17 carries for the Tennessee Titans on Thursday Night Football in its 30-9 win over the Jaguars. Henry’s remarkable feat comes during the week of the Heisman Trophy presentation for college football and moves the Titans to 7-6 on the season.
His performance was so dominant that Henry had his former Tide teammates and another Heisman winner in awe on social media.
Well I guess you’re going to make plays like this when you are bigger, faster, and stronger than everyone out there. Derrick is a cheat code.
— Jake Coker (@RealJakeCoker) December 7, 2018
Happy for my brother @KingHenry_2
— ReggieRagland#Chiefs (@reggieragland) December 7, 2018
Tell them folks it’s too late @KingHenry_2‼️ We been knew what it is‼️ No fake luv round deez parts ??♂️?
— Mark Ingram II (@MarkIngram22) December 7, 2018
Ewwww?@KingHenry_2 why you doing them boyz like dat ?? !!! ??
— OJ Howard 80 ™ (@TheRealOjHoward) December 7, 2018
His 99-yard touchdown run in the first half tied Henry with Pro Football Hall of Famer, Tony Dorsett for longest play in a game.
Derrick Henry loves Heisman Week
(via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/hryu0JlR58
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 7, 2018
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
For the University of Alabama, its second Heisman winner in football is having his career moment in the National Football League on Thursday night with the Tennessee Titans.
RELATED: Derrick Henry flashes hands and route running prowess at Titans OTA’s
Third-year running back Derrick Henry has channeled his performance from the College Football Playoff semifinal in 2015 against Michigan State onto Jacksonville.
The 6-foot-3, 247-pound freight train posted 129 yards rushing with two touchdowns on six carries in the first half – including a beast of a 99-yard run, in which he stiffed a couple of defenders from the Jaguars for the score. Henry’s efforts notched him in the history book with former NFL legend, Tony Dorsett, as he ties the NFL record for longest touchdown run.
DERRICK HENRY ? 99-YD HOUSE CALL
?: NFL Network #JAXvsTENpic.twitter.com/glXJZ8c7DR
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 7, 2018
He now has 149 yards as Titans lead Jaguars, 16-2 in the third quarter.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.