Los Angeles Rams

Rams' Austin credits seizing 'opportunities' for two-TD performance

Published Oct. 5, 2015 2:46 p.m. ET

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Lost amid rookie Todd Gurley's breakout game on Sunday was a stellar performance by another first-round pick of the St. Louis Rams who arrived in the NFL with lofty expectations.

Tavon Austin had his best game since his rookie campaign in 2013, hauling in a career high-tying six catches for 96 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Rams handed the Arizona Cardinals their first defeat 24-22 on Sunday.

Tavon Austin already had a 12-yard score. He's getting greedy after this touch-the-sky 47-yard catch. #STLvsAZ http://t.co/G3jHwPhHd8
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2015

It ended a 21-game drought without a receiving score for Austin, who has struggled to find his niche in St. Louis' offense since the club selected the dual-threat speedster with the No. 8 overall pick out of West Virginia in the 2013 draft.

"This isn't the first game I had a big game. I have had a couple big games, and it is all about the opportunities," said Austin, who also rushed two times for 20 yards. "Sometimes you have a great defensive coordinator taking you out of the game, like last week. It is all about the opportunities and taking advantage of it when the ball comes your way."

Just realized Tavon Austin's six receptions on Sunday tied his career high. He had six in each of first three games as a rookie. #Rams
— Nate Latsch (@NateLatsch) October 5, 2015

The 5-foot-8, 176-pound Austin reeled in a pair of 12-yard TD catches from quarterback Nick Foles, with the former staking the Rams to an early lead they would not relinquish and the latter providing a 24-15 cushion with just over eight minutes to play. He also had a 47-yard reception that was the team's longest of the season.

“Tavon’s a playmaker,” Foles said per the team's official website. “He’s just got to keep going. He’s one of those guys, the sky is the limit. He’s got a great work ethic and I was proud of him today.”