Texans’ QB C.J. Stroud Sets Rookie Passing Record in Win Over Tampa Bay

In a game that featured tons of offense, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud set a rookie passing record when he threw for 470 yards as Houston beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 39-37 in Houston on November 5th. Five of his 30 completions were touchdown passes, and he threw no interceptions.

This one had a wild finish. Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield completed a 14 yard touchdown pass to Cade Otton with 46 seconds left, and with the extra point, the Buccaneers took a 37-33 lead. Mayfield had a fine game of his own, completing 21 of 30 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns. Houston took over at the 25 yard line after the kickoff and Stroud executed a six play, 75 yard drive to the endzone in just 40 seconds, ending with a 15 yard TD pass to Tank Dell for his second touchdown of the day, and a 39-37 lead. Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn had been injured earlier in the game, and all four of the Texans’ conversions in the second half were two point attempts. Stroud took a knee on this attempt, the Texans kicked off, and the Buccaneers fumbled on the last play of the game.

With Fairbairn out, running back Dare Ogunbowale served as the backup kicker. He kicked a 29 yard field goal in the fourth quarter, which also proved crucial to the victory. The last non kicker or punter to kick a field goal was receiver Wes Welker, then with the Miami Dolphins, on October 10, 2004. Welker kicked the field goal in a game against his future team, the New England Patriots.

Here’s some highlights