Jonathan Taylor doesn’t wear No. 23 like he did at the University of Wisconsin — he’s No. 28 now — but the number that mattered most on Sunday was 114, the number of total yards from scrimmage the rookie running back and ex-Badgers star delivered for the Colts in their 34-31 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Taylor carried 22 times for 90 yards and caught a team-high four passes for 24 yards. He shouldered most of the offensive load to start the second half, when Colts coach Frank Reich gave Taylor the ball on six consecutive carries to start the third quarter. Taylor gained 42 yards on those six carries, then capped the third quarter with a 14-yard run.
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“We were down by 14 but came in at halftime and everybody just knew what we had to do. It just felt like we could dominate this game, it felt like we could take control,” Reich explained. “We talked about, ‘Let’s take control of the second half. Let’s take control of this second half. We have the guys in here to do it and so let’s just go out and do it one play at a time.’”
And one of those guys was Taylor, who had managed just 39 yards on only 13 carries and four receptions for 32 yards in the Colts’ previous two games.
“One of the biggest things is talking to my teammates, especially the running back room — is realizing that, ‘Hey, it’s the NFL.’ I mean, it’s not college,” Taylor said. “And I had that mindset coming in. I understood college was college. I loved my time there, but now this is a new chapter. There are new challenges, new teams and you’re going to have to overcome them.
“(It’s about) just sticking with the process, staying true to the process, not trying to change things up too much. You know what you have to do each and every single week, you know your preparation and your process.”
Photos: Colts overcome early deficit to down Packers
Photos: Packers' early lead not enough to hold off charging Colts
The Green Bay Packers sideline is empty during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson (56) lowers his head before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) cannot handle the snap during the first half of Colts' Darius Leonard (53) recovered the fumble.
Green Bay Packers' Davante Adams (17) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts' Rock Ya-Sin (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Davante Adams (17) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Rock Ya-Sin (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts' Darius Leonard (53) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) dives for a fumble against Indianapolis Colts' Darius Leonard (53) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis. Leonard recovered the fumble.
Green Bay Packers' Robert Tonyan (85) makes a touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Aaron Jones (33) runs against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore II (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Allen Lazard (13) runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Robert Tonyan (85) reacts after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Robert Tonyan (85) makes a touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Aaron Jones (33) runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Za'Darius Smith (55) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks on during the first half of an NFL football game Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) reacts after throwing a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman (11) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver De'Michael Harris (12) runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Justin Houston (50) celebrates a sack of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts' Michael Pittman (11) runs in for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor (28) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs from Indianapolis Colts' DeForest Buckner (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Jamaal Williams (30) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates after a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrate a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) catches a deep pass over Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (26) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) scores a touchdown while being tackled by dIndianapolis Colts' Bobby Okereke (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Trey Burton (80) makes a touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts' Trey Burton (80) celebrates a touchdown reception with Jack Doyle (84) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Davante Adams (17) celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (26) reacts after an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Equanimeous St. Brown (19) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts' Khari Willis (37) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Christian Kirksey (58) runs back in interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts kicker Rodrigo Blankenship (3) kicks a field goal out of the hold of Rigoberto Sanchez (8) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts' Rock Ya-Sin (26) reacts after recovering a fumble during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby (2) celebrates with teammates after kicking a field goal to tie an NFL football game during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Marquez Valdes-Scantling (83) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts' Khari Willis (37) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Green Bay Packers' Marquez Valdes-Scantling (83) fumbles a catch during the overtime of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis. Indianapolis Colts' DeForest Buckner (99) recovered the fumble.
