Baltimore Ravens

Buck Allen rebounds from last week's benching

Published Dec. 28, 2015 6:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Javorius "Buck" Allen lived up to his word from last week when he said he would come back harder after his second fumble in as many games.

Allen rushed for a career-best 79 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown plus another 35 yards on five receptions in Baltimore's 20-17 upset of the Steelers on Sunday. Allen's 3-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter proved to be the game-winning score.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh benched Allen after his first-quarter fumble was returned for a touchdown last week against Kansas City, but he was more than willing to give his rookie another chance, per the team's official site.

The fourth-round pick out of USC has proven to be the Ravens' most productive pick from the 2015 draft despite the fumbling woes. He was happy to repay Harbaugh's faith in him with a big game.

"We’re not trying to punish him. [You] make a choice sometimes about what’s best in the long interest of playing winning football. He took it to heart. He’s a humble, hard-working, very confident guy. He came back, and he answered the bell."

"The coaches, they just trusted me, and after last week, I just want to thank them for believing in me and just staying with me and not giving up on me."