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Top 5 Rushing Performances of the 2016-2017 Bowl Season

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 28, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) carries the ball during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Levi's Stadium. The Utah Utes won 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) carries the ball during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Levi's Stadium. The Utah Utes won 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) stiff arms Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Mike Caprara (30) during 2nd half of The Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Northwestern defeats Pittsburgh 31-24. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) stiff arms Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Mike Caprara (30) during 2nd half of The Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Northwestern defeats Pittsburgh 31-24. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /

Against giant-killer Pittsburgh in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankees Stadium, Justin Jackson was a workhorse that racked up nearly half of Northwestern’s total yardage in a 31-24 victory. After running for 1300 yards in the regular season, Jackson added 224 more to his season total on 32 carries against the Panthers. He had three touchdown runs over the course of the game. The first showcased his endurance, as he piled up 96 of Northwestern’s 99 yards on their first scoring drive and took it in from eight yards out.

But the run that was perhaps his most impressive came on the second touchdown. From 16 yards out, Jackson somehow kept his balance as he tumbled toward the goal line and managed to stay upright long enough to punch the ball into the endzone for a 14-3 Wildcats lead:

https://twitter.com/thefanaticsview/status/814252847495839744

His last touchdown came midway through the third quarter to regain a Northwestern lead, as he took the ball on third and seven and burst 40 yards for his third rushing TD of the game. Jackson added nine yards on two catches to compete a winning season for the Wildcats. In the process he outshone Pitt running back James Connor and set himself up as a back to watch in 2017.

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