MOBILE, Ala. — Toledo running back Kareem Hunt dealt with some tough moments during this 2014 season, missing three games and a good part of two other games because of an ankle injury.
Even so, the sophomore star never let the adversity derail him off the track of success.
After finishing the regular season as the third-leading rusher in the nation (151.1 yards per game), Hunt made his final game of the year one to remember, rushing 32 times for 271 yards and five touchdowns in the Rockets’ 63-44 win over Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl on Sunday night at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Hunt broke the GoDaddy Bowl record for touchdowns in a game and tied the school single-game record, ending the season on an enormous high. He scored on runs of 4, 44, 29, 6 and 1 yard, helping the Toledo ground game pile up 365 yards and seven touchdowns on 53 carries.
“It was really tough when I was hurt,” said Hunt, the offensive MVP of the game. “I had to go to rehab every day and fought hard to get healthy again. It feels good to have a game like this after everything I went through this year.”
Hunt left quite an impression on the Red Wolves, as he dominated them behind a veteran offensive line.
“There is probably a more politically correct way to say it, but that dude is a beast,” Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson said. “He runs through arm tackles, and his legs never stop churning. He’s also got a pretty good offensive line in front of him.”
Toledo coach Matt Campbell also distributed some of the credit to the senior-laden line.
“I don’t think you can talk about Kareem’s performance without mentioning those linemen, the blocking of our tight ends and our wide receivers,” Campbell said. “It was an all-in effort.”
Hunt will be back next season, looking to build on his vast potential.
“He’s a young man who continues to get better day in and day out,” Campbell said. “You can tell he has tremendous talent. The sky is the limit for him.”
Hunt added, “I can go as far as I want to if I keep working hard at getting better. This game definitely gave me a lot of confidence going into next season.”