’51-6, that’s all I got to say’ – before homecoming, Miles Sanders recalls last game at Heinz Field

He went to high school about 10 miles from Heinz Field, and he was afforded two opportunities to play at the venue during college.

Forty-eight hours before his first game at Heinz as a professional, Miles Sanders recalled the most recent time he played there.

“51-6,” Sanders told reporters on a conference call Friday, according to NJ.com, “that’s all I got to say.”

The “51-6” Sanders is referring to is Penn State’s victory against Pitt on Sept, 8, 2018, at Heinz Field. Sanders had 118 rushing yards in that game.

The rain was only half the story of Pitt's 51-6 loss to Penn State, an embarrassment of historic proportions https://t.co/5ndStISwtG

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) September 9, 2018

A Woodland Hills alumnus, Sanders was one of the highest-rated recruits in the country when he committed to Penn State before his junior season in 2014. After Pat Narduzzi was hired as coach, Pitt and ramped up its recruitment of Sanders. But he went to Penn State and stayed even while playing a distant second fiddle to Saquon Barkley for two seasons before breaking out as a junior.

Sanders declared for the 2019 draft and was a second-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles. Sunday, his team plays at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sanders told reporters his mother and a small number of friends would be at the game, the first professional event Gov. Tom Wolf has allowed fans to attend since the coronavirus pandemic forced restrictions in March.

“He’s been pretty even keeled (but) he gets amped up for game day,” Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson said. “I think for him and the guys that played in the state, it’s a sort of a homecoming of sorts. I think they get a little energy, a little extra juice and motivation.”

Sanders has 314 yards from scrimmage in three games this season (236 rushing, 78 receiving) after totaling 1,327 as a rookie last season (811 rushing, 509 receiving). He received a vote for 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the Pro Football Focus All-Rookie Team.

“He’s developed into a quality all-situation running back, one that runs well inside, one that runs well on the perimeter,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “He’s included in their passing game as well. We have to work to minimize his impact on the game.”

Sanders has 15 plays of 20-plus yards in his career. Last season, he ranked third among NFL running backs in scrimmage yards per touch (5.8, minimum 200 touches).

“Sanders, he’s great running back,” Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said. “Great running the ball. But he’s also a threat when sometimes they motion him out and line him up as wide receiver so he can get mismatches against a linebacker and use him (as a) vertical (threat), stuff like that. He’s a very talented guy.”

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