Denver Broncos punt returner Isaiah McKenzie took a punt 78 yards up the sideline of Broncos Stadium at Mile High Saturday night for a touchdown in the Broncos exhibition game against the Minnesota Vikings.
During Saturday’s return near the end of the second quarter, McKenzie displayed patience throughout his run, waiting for his blockers to create a path after he caught the ball and skillfully weaving through defenders for the final 20 yards.
McKenzie was drafted by the Broncos in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft and struggled last season as the Broncos starting punt returner. The rookie fumbled six returns before being replaced by Jordan Taylor halfway through the season.
In three seasons at Georgia, McKenzie averaged 11.7 yards per punt return and 23.3 yards per kick return, scoring six total touchdowns off returns.
The Opa Locka, Fla. native also received for 823 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for 329 yards and four touchdowns at Georgia.
After Saturday’s game, McKenzie said his touchdown restored some of his confidence and made him feel like his old self.
“I’ve always had the confidence knowing that I can do it, but I’ve just been putting it on the field and on film... It felt nice, really nice, but at the same time I have to go back next week and do the same thing and hopefully I can keep doing that and make the change on the team,” McKenzie said.
The Broncos lost Saturday’s exhibition game to the Vikings, 42-28.
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