Green Bay Packers rookie running back A.J. Dillon once stole the spotlight during an ACC showdown featuring quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Heisman Trophy winner and future first-round draft pick and NFL MVP.
The “superhuman” performance sent Dillon, a second-round pick of the Packers, on a path toward a record-breaking college career.
Dillon, then a freshman at Boston College, went on the road to face Jackson and the Louisville Cardinals in October of 2017. Jackson was incredible, creating over 500 total yards of offense, but Dillon led Boston College to the upset win, rushing for a career-high 272 yards and four touchdowns – including a signature moment in the fourth quarter.
“He showed incredible power and balance, and ridiculous speed,” Dillon’s college running backs coach, Brian White, told Mike Spofford of Packers.com. “He just dominated that game and never looked back. For me to tell you I knew that was going to be A.J.’s breakout game, I’d be absolutely lying to you. He had been playing well and been improving, but then all of a sudden he became superhuman in that game.”
Dillon scored three touchdowns between the second and fourth quarters, powering Boston College to a 35-21 lead. Later in the fourth quarter, and right after Louisville inched within a touchdown, Dillon busted off a highlight-reel score, spinning off a tackle before physically embarrassing a second defensive back and racing into the open field. No one caught him.
Dillon literally tossed the would-be tackler aside on his way to a 75-yard touchdown.
“There’s an unblocked corner blitz, comes at his knees, and he shakes that off,” White said. “Then all of a sudden the safety comes inside-out, and he takes him with his right hand, literally throws him, and then runs 70-plus yards for a touchdown.”
The play ended up being Dillon’s signature college play. The 247-pound back was just too big and too strong for most defenders to get on the ground alone. And his 4.5 wheels showed up in the open field.
To finish off the performance, Dillon put the offense on his back and willed the Eagles to a win.
With the game tied at 42 late in the fourth quarter, Boston College caught a break and recovered a fumble at the 39-yard line. The offense didn’t hide their intentions, giving Dillon the ball on seven straight plays. He gained 29 hard-earned rushing yards and set up the short game-winning field goal as time expired.
Afterward, Boston College coach Steve Addazio called Dillon “a beast.”
Dillon’s 272 rushing yards and four touchdowns remained career-highs, and his 75-yard touchdown was the longest of his college career. He left Boston College ranked first in school history in rushing yards (4,382), rushing touchdowns (38), total touchdowns (40) and all-purpose yards (4,618).
Dillon’s 14 games with 150 or more rushing yards were the most by a player in the ACC since Jackson. Four times, he cracked 200 yards. He finished as the fourth-leading rushing in ACC history.
The Packers used the 62nd overall pick on Dillon last week.
Here are some highlights of his breakout performance against Louisville:
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