(Courtesy Photo: Sun Devil Athletics)
With Arizona State Football leading 63-7 over Arizona and the ball at the one-yard line late in the fourth quarter, Jackson He positioned himself seven yards behind redshirt freshman quarterback Trenton Bourguet on first-and-goal.
The 5’9, 220 pound redshirt junior was about to get his chance to punch it in for six points.
“Ready! Ready, set, hut!” Bourguet barked at the line of scrimmage while under center.
Bourguet took the snap. Jackson He sprinted ahead before securing the handoff and bounced it out to the left. He was untouched, just two yards away from crossing the goal line.
But at the two-yard line stood one Arizona defender wearing number 21, the only Wildcat that would separate He from the blue and red painted end zone. It was sophomore defensive back Jaxen Turner.
He lowered his shoulder and charged right ahead at Turner. Turner wrapped him up in a bear hug but instead of going down, He took the contact and stayed upright, keeping his legs churning while fighting for the end zone.
Turner spun him around and wrestled him down to the ground outside of the end zone but it didn’t matter. He had stretched the ball across the plane and it was a touchdown. Pandemonium ensued. Every single ASU player on offense rushed over to tap him on the helmet to congratulate He as he was getting up.
When He finally stood up, his touchdown celebration was simple yet significant.
He pointed to the back of his jersey; which read the Chinese characters that read his Chinese name, He Peizhang.
Believed to be the only Chinese player in the FBS, He made history on Friday by becoming the first Chinese-born player to score a touchdown in FBS history.
“I’m just blessed to have this opportunity to be the first one,” He said. “I am the first one but not the last one and there are going to be more Chinese stepping into this stage who will score.”
He had only started playing football five years ago and is originally from Shaoguan in southern China, just about a two hour train ride away from Hong Kong. He chose Jackson to be his first name because of his love for Michael Jackson and his music.
Behind a talented running back group of junior Rachaad White and freshmen Chip Trayanum, Daniyel Ngata and DJ Taylor, it seemed like there was little to no chance of He receiving any playing time under normal circumstances this season.
But with ASU up big 63-7 late in the fourth quarter, He stayed ready and earned his chance.
“To be honest, I did not expect this,” He said. “But I always prepare myself to be the best I can be. [Running backs] Coach [Shaun] Aguano did a really good job preparing us to be the guy [and have] professionalism. Just always being prepared.”
White, who is a close friend of He’s, actually tried to set up He for a potential goal line carry earlier in the game in the third quarter. But it was still not quite late enough in the game for He to enter.
“I could have scored but I ran out at the two because I thought we were going to get [He] in there so he could get his score early,” White said. “Seeing him score was truly an honor. Jackson is a friend of mine. He’s a close friend and it’s been that way since I’ve been here and I’m just so blessed and happy to see him score and get that opportunity.”
That simple gesture from White resembles their tight friendship.
“I really appreciated that Rachaad did that,” He said. “We are best friends on and off the field. We hang out together all the time. I don’t know what to say. There’s so much love from my teammates and from my coaches. It’s crazy.”
Head coach Herm Edwards was pleased to see the performance from He in his debut.
“He’s one of our favorites,” Edwards said. “[He’s a] good young man. Going into the game, we just felt like if we got a lead into the fourth quarter, we wanted to play young players. I told Zak [Hill], ‘Hey, let’s put the guy in.’
“I didn’t know we were going to keep a whole series in there and all of sudden, the guy is still in the game. I was like, ‘Is he the running back?’….I thought he was going to get one or two carries but he stayed in there and it was fun to watch all the players surround him after he scored. Obviously, he got the game ball.”
He’s final stat line was four carries for seven yards and a touchdown. For a running back who has a fascinating story and lovable personality, He’s touchdown made the end of the game a highlight for many.
“Jackson was able to come in there created some really good energy at the end of the game for the sidelines,” Hill said. “I know Jackson was excited about that. It sounds like a lot of people across the world are pretty excited about it too.”
Friday night etched He as a fan favorite in the Sun Devil program and fanbase, something that he does not take for granted.
“It’s unreal,” He said. “I’m representing something different. Having this nameplate on my back is really cool and I’m really thankful for the equipment room at ASU. Everybody, every coach, it’s just mad love.”
