The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
‘Angry’ Hunt wouldn’t be denied in Browns’ victory
Trying to stop Kareem Hunt angry is like trying to stop a runaway train by setting up a snow-fence across the railroad track.
The Browns left Bears quarterback Justin Fields battered and bruised Sept. 26 by sacking him nine times for 67 yards. Hunt did the same thing by lowering his shoulder and blasting through the Chicago defense for 81 yards on 10 carries to help the Browns beat the Bears, 26-6, and increase their record to 2-1. He caught six passes for 74 yards.
The Browns, Bengals and Ravens are tied for first place in the AFC North.
“He’s a great back,” Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said. “I think just the look in his eye — everybody could tell the way he was running. It seemed angry — angrier than usual. When that happens, just find a way to get him the ball.”
Hunt’s most dynamic run went for 29 yards and a touchdown on the second play of the fourth quarter. He eluded Bears safety Deon Bush in the backfield, accelerated around right tackle Jack Conklin, got an excellent block from left guard Joel Bitonio pulling on the play, slipped past another defender and then outraced three more to the end zone.
“There were a couple of defenders in the way, but I just wanted it,” Hunt said. “I knew another touchdown or so would put them away, so whatever it takes to make it happen.”
Hunt celebrated by jumping to be mobbed by fans in the seats in the west end zone. The touchdown widened the Browns’ lead to 20-6 and effectively put the game out of reach for the Bears.
“You can tell by the way he runs that he’s always angry, but today, it was pretty special,” Mayfield said. “When he gets in the open field and he delivers contact — he’s open and there’s just one guy left — and when he finds a guy to go run into and create contact, that’s when you know he’s in the zone. That’s the Life of Pablo for Kareem.”
Life of Pablo is an album by rap artist Kanye West.
“Most definitely (I was fired up), Hunt said. “I love the game. I love football, especially winning.
“I feel like any game I play, I give it my all. I can’t really say it was my best game. I feel like I’ve played some good games, even when the stats don’t show it.”
Hunt was used very sparingly early in the game. Instead, head coach Kevin Stefanski called plays that featured Odell Beckham Jr. and Demetric Felton.
Beckham caught five passes for 77 yards in his first game in 11 months. Felton was targeted three times and caught two passes for 13 yards.
Hunt had two catches for 21 yards in the first quarter. He had three carries for 24 yards and three catches for 30 yards in the second quarter. He accounted for 41 yards of offense on the 75-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield to Austin Hooper just before halftime. “Kareem runs very hard,” Stefanski said. “When it’s there, he runs hard and makes great yards. When it’s not there, he’s still running hard and he is spinning out of it.
“I’ve seen it live and in living color with a great seat the last couple of years to see this kid fight for every yard out there. He has a great mentality and is a team guy all of the way. We certainly were leaning on him there in moments.”
Hunt has 29 carries for 165 yards and a team-best 5.7 yards a carry with two rushing touchdowns. Nick Chubb leads the Browns with 262 yards and three touchdowns on 48 carries.
Hunt and Hooper are tied for the team with 10 catches. Hunt’s 104 receiving yards lead the Browns.