Kirk Herbstreit praises CJ Stroud after game-winning touchdown, setting record

CJ Stroud had Kirk Herbstreit’s interest. Now, he has his attention. After the rookie quarterback’s historic performance in the Houston Texas’ comeback 39-37 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the College GameDay host offered his compliments.

“Are you SERIOUS??” Herbstreit wrote on Twitter. “CJ Stroud just led the [Houston Texans] to a game winning drive!! With 46 seconds left needed TD down by 4. Throws for a TD with 6 seconds left. CJ threw for 470 yards and 5 TD’s! This kid is a STAR!”

In the win, Stroud connected on 30-of-his-42 pass attempts for 470 yards and five touchdowns. Stroud’s 470 passing yards are the most by a rookie in NFL history. Additionally, Stroud threw no interceptions in the performance.

Stroud was ice-cold in the win. With just 46 seconds on the clock, Stroud marched the Texans on a six-play, 75-yard drive to win the game in heart-stopping fashion. Stroud boasts 1,800 passing yards and nine touchdowns this season while only throwing one interception.

Aaron Rodgers praises CJ Stroud

Sunday isn’t the first time Stroud has made history this season. Earlier in the year, Stroud completed the most pass attempts without an interception in league history. After Stroud’s accomplishment, legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers praised the former Ohio State standout’s game.

“It’s incredible, it really is. You know, ball security is job security, and he’s done an incredible job of that,” Rodgers started. “I don’t know him at all, but from afar, I do appreciate he seems to be a really humble kid. He’s got his head screwed on the right way. He’s a tough kid.

“A lot of people were dogging the Texans. ‘They’re going to be terrible.’ But what DeMeco’s done there, especially after an 0-2 start, and coming back and winning a couple big games,” Rodgers said. “That’s phenomenal. I think the most important stat is, it’s not like he’s throwing for 150 yards a game. He was averaging I think 300 a game before this last game, so big props to CJ. Great start to his career, and again, ball security is job security.”

According to FanDuel, Stroud is a -140 favorite to win the NFL Rookie of the Year award. Nonetheless, Stroud can’t get ahead of himself. Sitting at 4-4, the Texans must continue to fight for a winning record.

On Sunday, Stroud and Co. will look to carry their momentum forward as they square off against the Cincinnati Bengals at 1 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on CBS.