Chase Claypool has been a star in Canada for awhile now. After an incredible performance on Sunday, his stardom has been cemented on both sides of the border.
The Abbotsford, B.C. native scored four touchdowns to lead his team to a 38-29 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
It was a historic performance as Claypool became the first Steelers’ rookie to score rushing and receiving touchdowns in the same game since Franco Harris in 1972. He was also the team’s first rookie to score four majors in a game in franchise history.
Steelers’ receiver Chase Claypool scores two early touchdowns against Eagles
Claypool’s first score came on a two-yard fly sweep in the first quarter. His second came a quarter later on a 32-yard reception from Ben Roethlisberger.
The third touchdown came on a creative play design from offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner. Claypool lined up to the field side behind three blockers and caught a quick screen pass. He made an elusive move, then used his speed to reach the end zone.
Coincidentally, the player with the best shot to tackle Claypool on the play was former CFL all-star Alex Singleton.
Hat trick for @ChaseClaypool!
???? FOX ????https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/jla6krgwCu
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 11, 2020
Claypool’s fourth touchdown came from the slot with three minutes to play. The six-foot-four target drew man coverage from middle linebacker Shaun Bradley, which proved a mismatch. The 35-yard score sealed the victory for Pittsburgh, putting the Steelers ahead 38-29.
YOU CANNOT STOP CHASE CLAYPOOL. FOUR TOUCHDOWNS.
????: #PHIvsPIT on FOX
????: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/BGCKhfX8uY pic.twitter.com/RhFzFu2IMA— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2020
The Notre Dame product became the first Canadian-born player ever to score four touchdowns in an NFL game. North Battleford, Saskatchewan native Rueben Mayes scored three touchdowns in a game with the New Orleans Saints in 1990.
Claypool’s historic performance could have been even bigger. A 42-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty that FOX analyst Jonathan Vilma called “ticky-tack” and “a bad call.” He also had a 33-yard reception down the sideline called back after he was ruled out of bounds following a challenge by Philadelphia.
Claypool now has 13 receptions for 261 yards and four touchdown receptions on the season, which puts him on pace for over 1,000 yards. His 110-yard performance on Sunday was the first 100-yard game of his career.
Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz overcame a slow start on Sunday to complete 20-of-35 pass attempts for 258 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Philadelphia’s biggest offensive play of the game came on a 74-yard touchdown run from Miles Sanders in the first quarter. The team managed just 20 additional rushing yards against Pittsburgh’s stingy run defence.
The Steelers improved to 4-0 with the win for the first time in 40 seasons and currently sit first-place in the AFC North Division.
