Aggies RB De'Von Achane Scores Four TDs In Record-Setting Game For Miami Dolphins
Welcome to the NFL, De'Von Achane. Next stop? An end zone at Hard Rock Stadium.
The former Texas A&M running back was expected to become a staple of the Miami Dolphins' up-tempo offense as the change-of-pace running back when selected in the third round last April. He didn't just change the pace with his electric speed on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, but rather the outcome of the game.
Achane scored four touchdowns en route to a 70-20 win in the Dolphins' home opener. The point total marked a franchise record and was the most points any NFL team has scored since Washington scored 72 against the New York Giants in 1966.
"Seventy points is crazy," Achane told reporters postgame. "That's like video-game stuff."
During the first quarter, Achane flexed his speed in the open field with a 26-yard run to put Miami into Denver territory. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa chucked passes to Tyreek Hill and Raheem Mostert to set up the rookie speedster with an 8-yard score, marking his first career touchdown.
Achane was at it again in the second quarter with a 4-yard touchdown reception from Tagovailoa to help Miami extend its lead to 14. The duo would connect again in the fourth quarter, this time on a 10-yard reception to give the Dolphins 56 points on the afternoon.
While the game was over, Achane wasn't. With 8:01 left in the game, the former track star showed off his 200-meter speed with a 67-yard scamper to the end zone, going untouched once in the open field.
Achane finished the afternoon with 233 total yards. He averaged 11.3 yards per run on 18 carries and caught four passes for 30 yards.
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Drafted 84th overall, Achane was limited to begin his time in Miami while splitting reps with Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson. He was carted off in the second preseason game against the Houston Texans with a shoulder injury, and did not play in the preseason finale.
Entering Sunday's matchup, Achane had recorded one carry for five yards and a catch for four in his Week 2 debut against New England.
A native of Missouri City, Achane immediately made his presence felt in College Station as the secondary runnier behind Isaiah Spiller. Against South Carolina during his freshman season, Achane made headlines with his two-touchdown outing in a 48-3 beatdown in Columbia.
Fans of the Fins might best remember Achane during his time at A&M for his role in a 41-27 win over North Carolina in the Orange Bowl. Achane rushed for a season-high 140 yards and two touchdowns, both coming in the fourth quarter to secure a 9-1 record for the 2020 season.
Achane was named the Orange Bowl's Most Outstanding Player for his efforts.
During his final season at A&M, Achane rushed for a career-best 1,102 yards and eight touchdowns as the Aggies finished 5-7. He became the 21st player in program history to rush for 2,000 career yards. He rushed for a career-high 215 yards in his final game against then-No. 5 LSU.
