C.J. Stroud Breaks Rookie Passing Record In Win vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

C.J. Stroud made history with a 470-yard, five-touchdown day against the Bucs.

HOUSTON -- C.J. Stroud took a breath as he left the Houston Texans' sidelines to take control of the huddle. Forty-six seconds sat on the clock, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just took the lead thanks to a Baker Mayfield 14-yard touchdown pass to Cade Otton. 

Stroud, who constantly was at the forefront of highlight drives during his two seasons as Ohio State's starting quarterback, told his teammates to take it one play at a time. He asked his offensive line to give him "just a little time" to get the ball out; he'd "make them pay." 

Message received and delivered. 

Stroud, who broke the all-time record for most passing yards in a game by a rookie quarterback with 470, capped off his historic afternoon with a game-winning 15-yard touchdown pass to Tank Dell with six seconds remaining. Stroud completed 71.6 percent of his passes and totaled five passing touchdowns, a new career-best in the 39-37 victory. 

"That's a gusty performance from him," said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. "It wasn't all clean, but he gutted it out, he was tough in the pocket, made some plays, some big-time throws for us and the receivers, they were reliable for him." 

On a day where the run game was invisible without starting running back Dameon Pierce, the Texans turned to Stroud to play the hero. After a Dalton Schultz fumble on the opening drive, things favored the offense. 

Stroud spread out passes to make it impossible for the Buccaneers to blanket one receiver. Nico Collins kickstarted the scoring on a 14-yard touchdown with nine minutes remaining in the first quarter. 

Former Ohio State pass-catcher Noah Brown totaled a team-high 153 yards on six catches and scored a 75-yard touchdown to begin the third quarter. Dalton Schultz added 10 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown, including four first-down grabs that led to scoring drives.

"Those guys are two of the smartest players I've been around," said Stroud. "Noah's a Buckeye, so you know we had to hit the O-H. It's super cool to be able to play with those guys. We have a lot more to grow [on], but we're on the right track." 

Confidence continues to build in the locker room aura, but players already trust Stroud is the answer to help Houston end its three-year losing skid. Third-year tight end Brevin Jordan said winning the season finale over Indianapolis to lose out on the No. 1 pick might have "been the best thing to happen to the Texans organization." 

Others aren't so straightforward, but seeing the offense fight back isn't something out of the ordinary. 

"[C.J.] and all the receivers always are locked in and are such a great group," said safety Jalen Pitre. "I'm not surprised to see them take it that far since they do that in practice." 

That far felt like an eternity for fans, but a running clock left little time to think. It left fewer moments for errors. 

Stroud connected with Schultz for a 14-yard gain to start the drive, then found him again for a gain of six to put Houston near midfield. With both timeouts burnt, the offense needed to work the corners to keep the clock in their favor. 

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud / USA Today-Sports

Brown caught a 14-yard curl route at midfield. Dell, who finished with 129 yards, hauled in a pass toward the sideline for a gain of 26. With the pocket collapsing, Stroud went back to Dell, this time for six to retake the lead. 

"For those two to connect again with the touchdown, the connection and that bond I think Tank and C.J. have is real," said Ryans. "You see it on the field, off the field. They have a true bond and it's fun to watch those guys work together."

The No. 2 pick would ice the game with a kneel down over the 2-point conversion with kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn out due to a quadriceps injury. The Buccaneers fumbled on the final play to give Houston the victory.

"This is something that can get us rolling," said Stroud. "Momentum is everything in this league, so we have to ride this momentum and work really hard in practice this week. 

"I don't think we can be stopped when we're on our A game." 

Stroud, who's on pace to throw for 4,723 yards and 30 touchdowns, is just 394 yards shy of surpassing Davis Mills for the Texans' rookie passing record. With his performance Sunday, Stroud joins Deshaun Watson as the only Houston rookie quarterback to throw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns in a single game. 

And, of course, Stroud's name now is etched in the record books. 

"It's a blessing," said Stroud of the record. "It humbles me. I'm going to try and celebrate tonight. After that, I'm on to Cincinnati."

Expect countless Buckeyes to be in attendance at Paycor Stadium to see Stroud once more against the red-hot Bengals.