Taylor's First Touchdown Leads Solid CU Defensive Effort In Win Over Wildcats
September 15, 2018 | Football
BOULDER — Colorado's 45-14 victory over the New Hampshire Wildcats on Saturday was a nice way to keep the Buffaloes' unbeaten season alive.
What's also unbeatable are the emotions a player goes through when scoring his first career touchdown.
Ever.
CU junior Buff back Davion Taylor got to experience the thrill of scoring a touchdown for the first time.
The moment came with roughly three minutes left in the second quarter when New Hampshire quarterback Christian Lupoli fumbled the ball at the New Hampshire 14-yard line. Taylor scooped up the fumble with very few players around him, leading to an easy race to the end zone.
"It was all like a dream coming true," Taylor said. "I've never scored a touchdown before. When it happened I didn't know what to think. I just got to the sidelines and I was just overjoyed myself."
It's now been two straight games that Taylor has produced a fumble recovery.
"We practice every day on country and city drills (types of fumble drills)," Taylor said. "When it happens, the practice just comes out into the games."
Taylor also had a fumble recovery last week against Nebraska that led to a CU touchdown.
"He's gotten better each and every week," said head coach Mike MacIntyre. "Football's a little new to him and he's getting better every week. He has explosive athleticism and he'll make a lot more plays. I'm excited about Davion and where he's improving."
Taylor didn't play football in high school due to religious beliefs within his family. He didn't take part in sporting activities Friday night through Sunday morning. He eventually was allowed to play sports on Saturdays as he went to play football and run track at Coahoma CC in Coahoma, Miss.
CU's Mustafa Johnson also had a solid game Saturday with three tackles, a sack and two tackles for a loss. CU's defense gave up only 42 yards on the ground, a massive improvement over the 243 yards CU allowed on the ground just a week ago at Nebraska.
"Last week against Nebraska, we know we got gashed a little bit with a lot of yards," Johnson said. "So all week throughout practice we were just focused on staying in run gaps, playing our assignment and not try to do more than we need to do."
Taylor had three tackles with one quarterback hurry that took place late in the third quarter.
"I think I need to improve on rushing," Taylor said. "Because I'm a Pac-12 sprinter, I think I should come out a little faster and show off that speed to get to the quarterback faster than I do."
CU's defense has now produced seven takeaways, with five of them leading to CU scores.
Colorado's defense will now have an extra week to rest and prepare for conference play when they host the UCLA Bruins on Sept. 28.
"We still have some improving to do, but I feel we have a great defense," Taylor said. "We have a chance to be a good defensive unit this year in the Pac-12."
Players Mentioned
