CJ Donaldson Found Success By Throwing His Weight Around

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — CJ Donaldson looked every bit like the 240-pound running back that he is during WVU’s 31-21 win over UCF Saturday evening inside Milan Puskar Stadium.

The junior running back doesn’t always throw his weight around as effectively as he did against the Golden Knights, but he becomes a load to take down when he does.

“I am a 240-pound running back who needs to be running behind his pads at all times,” Donaldson said after running for 96 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. “That was critical to me helping the team get those third-and-shorts.”

Donaldson put the team on his back early in the game, running for 82 yards in just the first quarter as WVU found the endzone on each of its first two drives. Donaldson opened the scoring with a one-yard touchdown.

“He’s a tough tackle,” WVU coach Neal Brown said. “He’s 240 pounds and when he gets behind his pads, he’s a really tough tackle. I was really pleased with how he played (Saturday).”

Donaldson broke numerous tackles as he ripped off runs of 20 and 31 yards on the team’s opening possession. He credited his success to advice from former WVU tailback Leddie Brown.

“I’ve got to shout out Leddie Brown, he told me to run with great pad level and have great eyes,” Donaldson said. “That’s all you have to do to be an elite running back, run with great pad level and have great eyes.”

Donaldson was slow to get up after a play late in the first quarter but returned to score his second touchdown on another one-yard run in the third quarter. He said running backs coach helped him get back into the game.

“That guy can bring a different animal out of me,” Donaldson said. “He knows how to push my buttons in a good way. He knows how to get me ready for the game and get my mindset ready.”

WVU ran for exactly 200 yards as a team with Donaldson going for 96, Jahiem White racking up 54 and quarterback Garrett Greene’s 49 yards. White finished the second drive of the game with a three-yard score.

For a related story, CJ Donaldson and others spoke to the media following the win.