Mark Andrews was already the Ravens' franchise leader for receiving touchdowns, and on Sunday evening in Cleveland, he also became the Ravens' record-holder for receiving yards.
One thing Andrews had never done in eight seasons was score a rushing touchdown. Now that can be crossed off, too, after a magical night for one of the franchise's most respected players.
One of the most epic plays in Andrews' career and the Ravens' history in Cleveland will go down as "Hurricane."
That's the play call of the 35-yard fake "tush push" touchdown Andrews scored with two minutes, 31 seconds left to beat the Browns, 23-16, in Cleveland.
"We're always constantly working on different things and variations of certain things to keep the defense honest, and it was a perfect scenario to pull that out there," Andrews said.
"I think the guys just executed really well. [We were] just trying to be versatile in that package, and it was a great play call. It felt great to get in the end zone."
Trusted in the high-pressure situations, burly, and relentless, Andrews has been the man called upon to take the Ravens' direct snaps the past few seasons. He's often been successful plowing straight ahead, but for the second time in as many weeks, the Ravens put a spin on the traditional "tush push" – this time, literally.
Andrews took the snap and turned as if he was going to pitch it to Lamar Jackson, just like he did last Sunday to pick up a key first down in Minnesota. Except this time, Andrews did a 180 and kept it himself, running off the right side of the Ravens' offensive line.
The inside of the Browns defense crashed the middle – as it has to. Browns safety Ronnie Hickman ran himself out of the play by following the fake toss to Jackson with Derrick Henry as a fake lead blocker. The Browns' other safety, Grant Delpit, was so caught off guard by the play that it made for an easy block for Ricard.
"By the time I got on him, I don't know if he really knew what was happening," Ricard said. "I didn't either."
The Ravens only added "Hurricane" to the playbook this week. Ricard said they only practiced it a couple of times.
Yet, with the game on the line, Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken dialed it up. Andrews looked across the line of scrimmage at what the Browns defense was doing and stuck with it.
"That was crazy," Jackson said. "I was celebrating the whole time. We were practicing [the play] earlier on in the week, and it was looking pretty good. We just needed a couple yards, but for [Andrews] to go for a touchdown; that was amazing."
As Ricard opened one side, Charlie Kolar sealed the edge, and Andrews had a big hole to gallop through. He hit the jets, outrunning Browns rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger and hitting 20.09 mph on the scamper to the end zone — Andrews' top speed of his career, according to Next Gen Stats.
"I know that I can kind of kick up when I need to," Andrews said. "That end zone looked sweet, and it was awesome getting in there for the team."
Head Coach John Harbaugh could've trotted rookie kicker Tyler Loop out for a 52-yard field goal in blustery Cleveland. Even though Loop hit his three previous kicks, including a 44-yarder on the drive before, Harbaugh left the ball in Andrews' hands.
Harbaugh said the Ravens had talked about using that play if they had a fourth-and-1 situation. A clutch 11-yard completion from Jackson to DeAndre Hopkins on second down helped set it up. After Henry was stuffed for no gain, the Ravens called "Hurricane."
"A good idea has many fathers," Harbaugh said. "But when you see it executed well, that's what makes it a good idea. That's what I'm probably most proud of."
Harbaugh just wanted a first down. But when Andrews turned the corner, he had nothing but green grass and his Pro Bowl fullback in front of him. Andrews isn't known for his speed, but he turned on the jets.
"I trust Pat with my life, so once I saw that, I said, 'Let's go,'" Andrews said.
