The Best Rushing Performances In Buccaneers History

In Week 9 of the 2012 season, a rookie named Doug Martin rewrote the franchise’s history books. At the Oakland Coliseum, the “Muscle Hamster”—a nickname he hated, by the way—became an uncontainable land hurricane.

• 25 carries
• 251 yards
• 4 touchdowns
• 3 runs of more than 45 yards (70, 67 and 45)

Martin not only broke the franchise record for yards in a single game, he also became the first NFL player to rush for three touchdowns of 45-plus yards in a single game. Crazy! The Raiders had no idea where this was coming from.

This game catapulted him to stardom, and although injuries limited his career, his legacy was assured. In fact, he finished his career as the fourth-highest-yard rusher in team history (4,633).

Three years later, Martin was back on track. In Philadelphia, in a season of personal resurrection, he once again demonstrated why he was one of the league’s most explosive backs.

Although he didn’t score a touchdown, his 235 yards on just 27 carries included a franchise-record 84-yard run. His performance allowed the team to control the clock and dismantle the Eagles’ defense. And the most curious thing: there were no rushing touchdowns for him that day, just absolute dominance.

To talk about James Wilder is to talk about one of the founding pillars of the franchise. Number 32 was a beast from another era: a tireless workhorse who literally carried the weight of the attack for years.

In 1983, in the midst of the Bucs’ institutional crisis, Wilder had a great game against Minnesota:

• 42 touches of the ball
• 219 rushing yards
• 1 TD
• 239 yards from scrimmage

That day, he ran like his life depended on it. It was the first 200-yard game in team history, and it paved the way for his legendary 1984 season, in which he rushed for 1,544 yards , still the Buccaneers’ all-time record.

And let’s not forget that Wilder is also second in team history in rushing touchdowns (37) , behind only Mike Alstott. If there were a Buccaneers’ Mount Rushmore, his face would be on it.

2000. Final day of the regular season. The Bucs needed a win against Dallas to secure the NFC Central. And Warrick Dunn donned the hero’s cape.

• 22 carries
• 210 yards
• 2 TDs
• 9.5 yards per attempt

From the first snap, Dunn exploded through the Cowboys’ defense with a 70-yard touchdown drive that had the fans on their feet. It wasn’t just his best game, it was one of the most important of the Dungy era , as he clinched a playoff berth.

For many years, Dunn was the most electrifying player in Tampa’s backfield. He combined vision, quickness, and a huge heart. And beyond the field, his foundation helped hundreds of homeless families find housing. An icon on and off the field.

Ronald Jones – 192 yards, 1 TD (vs. Panthers, 2020)

In the midst of the Tom Brady era, Ronald Jones had his best day as a professional in Week 10 of 2020. And he did it with a historic milestone: a 98-yard run to the end zone, the longest in Bucs history.

• 23 carries
• 192 yards
• 1 TD
• 8.3 yards per attempt

RoJo took advantage of a gap created by Alex Cappa and Ryan Jensen, broke a tackle, and flew into the end zone. A play that marked a turning point in his career and was key to the 46-23 victory.

That year, Tampa would go on to win the Super Bowl. And although his prominence faded in the playoffs, his 98-yard run remains the longest in team history, and one of the longest in NFL history.

Errict Rhett – 192 yards (vs. Washington, 1994)

In 1994, Eric Rhett, one of the Bucs’ most underrated running backs, carried the team on his back in a nail-biting victory over the Washington Redskins. And he did it the old-fashioned way:

• 40 carries (yes, 40!)
• 192 yards
• 1 TD

That workload was brutal, and Rhett responded with a performance that announced his arrival as Tampa’s RB of the future. He finished with over 1,000 yards that year and was instrumental in the Bucs’ recovery from their slump in the second half of the 90s.

A legacy of yards and Buccaneer glory

From bulldozers like Wilder and Rhett, to the compact muscle of Doug Martin, to the lethal speed of Dunn and RoJo, these performances are more than numbers: they’re part of the Bucs’ soul.

In a franchise that has had constant ups and downs in the running game, these games represent peaks of excellence. They serve as a benchmark for young players like Rachaad White, who have the opportunity to write their names alongside these legends.

And if you want to delve deeper into the history of the numbers, records, iconic players, and the franchise’s darkest and brightest eras,