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Colin Kaepernick Breaks QB Rushing Record with Whopping 181-Yard Game vs Packers
January 13, 2013
Colin Kaepernick set the record for rushing yards by a quarterback in an NFL playoff game with his 181-yard outburst against the Green Bay Packers, according to Will Brinson of CBS Sports.
He broke the previous record of 173 yards set by Michael Vick on a 56-yard TD scamper. It came on a read-option play fake to LaMichael James that sprung him and electrified his team by putting them ahead.
The play couldn’t have come at a better time. The Packers had just tied the game at 24 with a field goal only a mere one minute before the play.
Kaepernick wasn’t done breaking records, either. He proceeded to break the record for QB rushing yards in ANY NFL game on a 16-yard scamper later in the third quarter, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter):
That 16-yard run gives Kaepernick the NFL record for rushing yards by a QB (in any game), with 179 yards. #49ers
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) January 13, 2013
San Francisco beat the Packers in Week 1 by a narrow 30-22 margin with QB Alex Smith at the helm of its offense. Smith was efficient and led the team to victory.
With dynamic first-time postseason passer Kaepernick behind center, they left no doubt this time around.
The sophomore QB replaced Alex Smith after the former starter suffered a concussion in an overtime tie with the St. Louis Rams in Week 10.
He and the Niners haven’t looked back with exception to two slip ups against St. Louis and one blowout versus Seattle.
Kaepernick led the team to wins over Chicago, New Orleans, Miami, Arizona and New England. Those wins were crucial in warding off the surging Seattle Seahawks who were challenging the team for the NFC West division title.
He was remarkable in all of those games, too.
But nothing compares to his effort in the 49ers 45-31 playoff victory over the Packers at Candlestick Park on Saturday night.
While Kaepernick wasn’t efficient throughout the entire game, completing 17 of his 31 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns, he made big plays that helped move the team’s offense.
Those didn’t hurt his cause, or his introduction to the NFL record books.
Kaepernick hadn’t run for over 100 yards in any of his previous starts this season, but he proved why the team made the switch once Smith was injured.
If there were any doubts about that switch, they are forever gone after Kaepernick's impressive performance. He finished with 444 yards of total offense and four total touchdowns.