To start the game off right, in the first quarter of the Oct. 25 game against Portland State, redshirt senior running back Elisha Cummins caught a short pass from quarterback Joshua Wood where he broke multiple tackles and ran for 64 yards on the way to the endzone. This play set the tone for the rest of the game as the Vandals beat Portland State 45-6. This win gave the Vandals their first win in the Big Sky Conference and Coach Thomas Ford Jr.’s first conference win.
Cummings played a major role in the win against Portland State with his 165 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. Cummings rushed 8 times for 65 yards and a touchdown giving him an 8.1 average yards per carry, as well as catching four passes for 100 yards.
Cummings is a power running back with underrated speed. The 5’8”, 188 lb athlete out of Waco, Texas, has been a reliable player in the Vandals’ offense and has averaged five yards per carry in his career. Cummings has displayed this talent since high school, where he finished his senior season with 1,390 yards and 15 touchdowns on 135 carries. He scored a total of 21 touchdowns across offense, defense and special teams. His remarkable season led his team to the state championship game which, coming from Texas, is impressive.
“We were really making sure he could get the ball in every way possible,” Ford said after the game. “That kid can do it all…He’s absolutely what we’re looking for at tailback, and he really showed that with his versatility tonight.”
If you have been to any of the Vandals’ games this season, you know how good a player Cummings is, and this game was his opportunity to show it off. Cummings will be vital down the stretch as the Vandals come to the end of their season. His power running style and electricity he brings with every touch will be a forefront of the offense going forward this season.
Taylan Hallum can be reached at [email protected].
Shala Milas
Great info.