 |
 David Patten, a first team All-SoCon performer in 1995, had a record-setting day in leading the Patriots to a victory of the Colts. |
 |
Oct. 22, 2001
Indianapolis - Former Western Carolina star David Patten did anything and everything the New England Patriots needed. His performance was unlike any other in the NFL in exactly 22 years.
Patten became the first player since Walter Payton in 1979 to run, catch and pass for touchdowns in the same game, helping the Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts 38-17 on Sunday.
Quarterback Tom Brady, filling in for the injured Drew Bledsoe, won for the third time in four starts and the New England defense stopped Indianapolis' high-powered offense when it mattered.
Still, the day belonged to Patten, a four-year letterman at the Cullowhee school from 1992-1995.
"Every time I touched the ball, I was able to make something happen," said Patten, who accounted for four of the Patriots' five touchdowns. "That's what I pride myself on. I think I'm able to do that every time I go on the field and today I made that happen."
He seemed the unlikeliest of heroes after playing little more than his role as part of the Patriots' supporting cast in the first five weeks.
On Sunday, he played more because receiver Terry Glenn was out with a hamstring injury, and he was better than anyone could have imagined.
He ran 29 yards for a touchdown on the Patriots' first offensive play, threw a 60-yard TD pass to Troy Brown and caught two touchdown passes himself, including a 91-yarder - the longest play from scrimmage in team history. The Patriots (3-3) won their third straight game and swept the Colts for the season.
Patten finished with four receptions for 117 yards and the two TDs.
Payton, the Chicago Bears' Hall of Famer, scored touchdowns by running, passing and throwing on Oct. 21, 1979, against the Minnesota Vikings.
Patten's first score, a 29-yard run was setup on a blocked field goal by Brandon Mitchell on the Colts' first possession, which was returned to the Indianapolis 29 by Leonard Myers. After a 42-yard field goal, the Patriots really got going on offense.
Brady connected with Patten on a 91-yard TD pass. On New England's next offensive play, Patten threw his 60-yard touchdown pass to Brown, making it 21-3 midway through the second quarter. Brown finished with eight receptions for 120 yards.
Before halftime, Brady threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Wiggins to make it 28-3. When the half ended, the Colts headed to the locker room to a chorus of boos and with a 28-6 deficit. The Colts tried to rally, but New England sealed the outcome early in the fourth quarter when Brady threw six yards to Patten for another TD, making it 38-17.
"They were expecting us to come up with the same plan as last time," Patten said. "It was a good day. It was one of those days where everything was clicking."
Patten was a first team All-Southern Conference pick for the Catamounts in 1995, when he led the team with 59 receptions for 881 yards and seven TDs. Patten's 59 receptions ranks eighth on the WCU single-season list and his seven TD receptions ranks seventh (tied). He additionally ranks 10th on the school's career TD reception list with 14, while leading the team with 21 kick returns for 383 yards in 1995.
|
|
 |
