The Los Angeles Rams headed into the 4th quarter of Super Bowl 56 down four points and seemingly out of answers on the offensive end. Cam Akers wasn’t able to gain much ground running the ball and with Odell Beckham Jr.’s injury, almost every Rams receiver became obsolete against as surprisingly formidable Bengals secondary. With options running thin the Rams defaulted to what seemed to work for them all season long; Cooper Kupp.
Kupp caught the game-winning touchdown pass, a reception from one yard out with 1:25 remaining in regulation to give the Rams a 23-20 lead. He also had a 7-yard run for a fourth-down conversion on a crucial 4th quarter drive that ultimately swung the momentum for Los Angeles. Kupp finished with eight catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
Most of the country won’t remember where this guy came from. Northwest football fans know all too well.
Kupp played at Eastern Washington University and left the all-time leader in receiving yards at any level of college football (6,464 yards), and was taken in the third round of the 2017 draft by the Rams. Oregon Duck football fans know him best as the dude who netted 243 yards receiving and 3 scores during a 2015 game at home.
He was by far and away the most electric player on the field that day and created a buzz around his ability to make plays. No one in the crowd that day could have anticipated Kupp’s ascension to the top tier of NFL receiving. Absolutely stunning.
Kupp will most likely continue his NFL dominance for seasons to come. Pacific Northwest football fans will always remember his as the breakout star from 2015.