The Jacksonville Jaguars averaged just under 70 rushing yards in the first six games of the season, but in a 24-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns, the team accumulated 185 yards on the ground. Absent for the breakout performance was Toby Gerhart, who missed the last two weeks due to a foot injury.
Denard Robinson likely starter at running back for Jaguars
Denard Robinson racked up 127 yards rushing and his first career touchdown on Sunday as a replacement for the injured Toby Gerhart.
Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Instead it was Denard Robinson leading the way for the Jaguars with 127 rushing yards on 22 attempts, including his first career touchdown, an 8-yard score that put the Jaguars comfortably ahead by 11 with six minutes remaining. His performance was impressive enough that Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley said he thinks the team will stick with the second-year back as the starter even when Gerhart returns to the lineup.
Robinson, 24, played quarterback collegiately for the Michigan Wolverines and didn’t have the smoothest transition to running back as a rookie. In 2013, he managed just 66 yards and fumbled on three of his 20 rushing attempts of the season.
In the offseason, Robinson added some weight, upping his thin 197-pound frame to 212 pounds, and he made a point to improve ball security. Through seven games and 61 total touches, Robinson has yet to fumble.
Robinson told reporters after the game, including Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union, that he was focused on seizing his chance at increased time. He credited the play of an offensive line that has been criticized as the weak link of the Jaguars so far in 2014.
“The offensive line fired off the ball, and I was like, ‘I’ve got to do the same thing. I’ve got an opportunity, so let’s go,‘ ” he said.
Prior to Sunday, Robinson's best career game on the ground was a 33-yard performance against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3. Since joining the Jaguars, Gerhart's best game was a 42-yard showing against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.
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