David Montgomery's 75-yard touchdown run longest in 12 years for Detroit Lions

David Montgomery, typically known for his power not speed, turned on the jets to score the longest Detroit Lions touchdown run in 12 years during the first half Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The big-time run is the longest since Jahvid Best broke an 88-yard touchdown back in 2011, and only the seventh touchdown run of 75 or more for the Lions in the past 30 years.

Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs seemingly flipped roles in the first half. Montgomery, typically labeled the short-yardage back, broke the 75-yard touchdown run out of thin air late in the second quarter, while Gibbs handled most of the goal line duties, punching in two touchdowns himself. It was a taste of the one-two punch Brad Holmes must have dreamed of when he acquired Gibbs and Montgomery this offseason.

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With just over three minutes left in the first half, Montgomery got the nod to start the drive with the Lions up 17-10, looking to respond to a Keenan Allen touchdown. The Lions ran a power run play to the right on the first play of the drive, and some solid vision and a dizzying juke helped Montgomery turn the run-of-the-mill play into a 75-yard house call, topped off with some precise footwork on the sideline.

Instead of following the line to the right, Montgomery cut hard upfield through the middle to reach the second level. When the safeties closed to make the tackle, Montgomery juked both of them with a cut that would make Barry Sanders proud to reach the left sideline. He raced down the edge of the field alongside the speedy Jameson Williams, who blew up the last defender to clear the path for the touchdown.

The play was reviewed to see if Montgomery stepped out of bounds. The replay showed his toe flirting with the forbidden grass, but there was not enough evidence to overturn the call and the touchdown stood.

Montgomery got the start in his first game back from a rib injury but played less in the first half than Gibbs. Montgomery had eight carries for 102 yards and one touchdown in the first half, while Gibbs added 72 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. The explosive plays helped the Lions take a 24-17 lead into the half.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: David Montgomery 75-yard TD run for Detroit Lions longest in 12 years