Taysom Hill made his first NFL start at quarterback on Sunday for the New Orleans Saints.
Filling in for the injured All-Pro Drew Brees, the former BYU star and dual-threat quarterback made the most of his moment as he led the Saints to a 24-9 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Hill completed 18-of-23 passes (78.2%) for a game-high 233 yards. He also rushed for a team-high 51 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. With the win, the Saints improved to 8-2 on the season.
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The Saints got off to a slow start as the Atlanta Falcons jumped out a 9-3 lead midway through the second quarter. Hill responded with three touchdown drives to beat their NFC South rivals while racking up 378 yards of total offense.
Hill also joined elite company on Sunday as he joined Daunte Culpepper as the only players in the Super Bowl era with 40+ rush yards and 2+ rushing touchdowns in their first quarterback start.
Here’s a look at how the media, fans and players reacted after the game:
Saints owner Gayle Benson gives QB Taysom Hill a pregame hug on the sidelines ahead of Hill's first NFL start:
?: @DavidGrunfeld pic.twitter.com/Qyo1gCV6RN
— Amie Just (@Amie_Just) November 22, 2020
Taysom time!!!!!!!!!!
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) November 22, 2020
TAYSOM SHAWN HILL!!!!! ?#ATLvsNO | ?: FOX pic.twitter.com/Z2HbG6ycSO
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 22, 2020
TOUCHDOWN TAYSOM!! What a drive coming out of half. 80 yds and he went 4/5 passing and capped it off with a TD.
— David Nixon (@D_Nixon) November 22, 2020
— The ROC (@byuROC) November 22, 2020
Taysom Hill is the best TE in the game. pic.twitter.com/1jGhLD2sHF
— Dawson (@ItsDawsonTV) November 22, 2020
▪️ 18/23, 233 yards passing, 0 INT
▪️ 51 yards on 10 rushes, 2 touchdownsNot bad for a QB/RB/WR/TE/KR/PR… @T_Hill4 pic.twitter.com/pHM9PCPIYd
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 22, 2020
So happy for @T_Hill4. Such a great guy and balled out today! Much more to come!
— Jimmer Fredette (@jimmerfredette) November 23, 2020
That’s what I’m talking about @T_Hill4 So fun???
— Danny Ainge (@danielrainge) November 23, 2020
He’s always looked good in a helmet! ? #Saints pic.twitter.com/MZsSs3jyBa
— Chris Collinsworth (@cmcollin41) November 22, 2020
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TAYSOM TOUCHDOWN! ?#ATLvsNO | ?: FOX pic.twitter.com/691Ae0OZau
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 22, 2020
I’m so happy for my brother @T_Hill4!!!! Unfortunately didn’t get too many games together, but he always will be one of the toughest guys I’ve ever met. Glad to see him BALL OUT TODAY!!! pic.twitter.com/OHLgOwbNfC
— Jordan Leslie (@Jles9) November 22, 2020
Taysom Hill tmw: pic.twitter.com/HtbXN6aaKS
— Pikachu from Joker Bros Giants 3-7 (@PikafromSmash) November 22, 2020
give me Taysom Hill over Lamar Jackson any day
— rj ³ (@rgrime11) November 22, 2020
Taysom Hill is truly one of the most unique and special athletes I've ever watched in sports.
I'd love to see him dominate at the QB spot for years in the NFL.
Teams will adjust, can't wait to see if he can crack the adjustments.— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) November 22, 2020
Sean Payton with a notable retweet pic.twitter.com/mKwc3xz4rG
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) November 22, 2020
This Sean Payton post-game RT ? pic.twitter.com/RRtupdhots
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) November 22, 2020
Taysom Hill in his 1st start: 233 passing yards, 51 rushing yards and two total TDs.
I kept the receipts @OldTakesExposed pic.twitter.com/ScvYTbJuFH
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) November 22, 2020
TAYSOM HATERS HAVE BEEN AWFULLY QUIET THIS SECOND HALF
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) November 22, 2020
Looks like the "Taysom Hill as a starting NFL QB is a joke" crowd is taking the L today
— Sigmund Bloom (@SigmundBloom) November 22, 2020
Of all the reasons to start Taysom Hill over Jameis Winston, one stands out: #Saints coach Sean Payton “just wants to know,” those close to him say. Is Hill the next franchise QB? The evaluation starts today.
A look at what’s next: https://t.co/rMsx7qEooc
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 22, 2020
In his first (of many) starts, #Saints QB Taysom Hill finished 18 of 23 passing for 233 yards with 51 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs in a blowout win over the #Falcons.
Sean Payton 1, The World 0
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 22, 2020
Whether Taysom succeeds or fails today, the man worked like crazy to have this opportunity. He accepted any position and any role to show that he wanted to play and win.
Despite what anyone says or thinks, he earned this.
— Sporty (@SportyMcSports) November 22, 2020
Who y’all gonna cheer for when Taysom and Zach meet as starting QB’s?
— Will Durbin (@DurbinWillson) November 22, 2020
@BYUfootball ? pic.twitter.com/FJXG2fYnAY
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 22, 2020
Taysom Hill is a little more athletic runner than Tebow, maybe a little more accurate thrower. But his two deep balls fluttered. And what elevated Tebow in 2011 was that he had the NFL's best QBR in the last 5 minutes of games. All-time clutch. Hill hasn't had to be clutch yet.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 22, 2020
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) November 22, 2020
When you started Taysom Hill at TE pic.twitter.com/8QWJhX483f
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 22, 2020
Taysom Hill vs Christian McCaffrey pic.twitter.com/e0mKUjIxpJ
— Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) November 20, 2020
So happy for this guy! Career win No. 1! How about the weekend: No. 8 BYU wins 66-14 and @T_Hill4 wins in his first @NFL start and his fist start since playing at #BYUFootball in 2016. #givethanks #saints #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/C7pH42FZQI
— Dave McCann (@DaveMcCannKSL) November 22, 2020
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CFB Playoff Prediction: Here’s Where BYU Will Likely Be Ranked
