LONDON (AP) \u2014 With his team trailing 28-0, Travis Hunter wanted to make something \u2014 anything \u2014 happen for the Jaguars.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just told Coach to give me the ball. I\u2019ll go out there and make a play,\u201d Jacksonville’s star rookie said. \u201cHe got me the ball and I just did what I had to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hunter’s 34-yard reception for a score was his first NFL touchdown, but it was just a consolation prize in Jacksonville\u2019s 35-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> on Sunday at Wembley Stadium.<\/p>\n \u201cI was just thinking about putting points on the board for my team,\u201d the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner said.<\/p>\n Given the circumstances, Hunter opted not to celebrate. He just jogged back to the bench with the ball in his hands. He said he’ll give it to his son.<\/p>\n Hunter finished with eight receptions for 101 yards \u2014 his best day as a pro.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were holding him,\u201d Trevor Lawrence said of the touchdown pass. “But (he) fought through contact, still made the play on the ball.<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody sees how special he is when you give him opportunities,\u201d Lawrence added. \u201cOur chemistry and seeing the game the same \u2014 I think it\u2019s getting there. There\u2019s still a lot of meat on the bone to take advantage of. He just makes plays whenever the ball comes to him.\u201d<\/p>\n Jags coach Liam Coen said this week that he\u2019d look for ways to get Hunter more involved in the offense<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThere definitely was a plan going into the game that we wanted utilize him more on the offensive side of the ball, specifically trying to get the ball into his hands,\u201d Coen said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first half was just kind of funky, the way we couldn\u2019t get anybody the ball consistently and get into a rhythm,\u201d Coen said. “He was able to make some plays in the second half, Trevor was able to find him on some things that were obviously designed to go to him in some ways.<\/p>\n \u201cHappy that he got his first touchdown \u2014 tough to see it come in that moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Slow start<\/p>\n Coen had wanted his team to play with their \u201chair on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n Lawrence had Hunter open on the Jaguars\u2019 first offensive play. He took a sack.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve just got to put it on him,\u201d Lawrence said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to start the games faster,\u201d he added. \u201cThere\u2019s some plays that I\u2019ve got to make early to get us going, and it\u2019s routine stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n The Jags fell behind 14-0 as Matthew Stafford completed passes to a variety of Rams receivers.<\/p>\n Lack of discipline<\/p>\n The Jags committed 13 penalties for 119 yards, perhaps none more costly than Jarrian Jones’ illegal block to nullify a would-be touchdown on a punt return by Parker Washington.<\/p>\n It was still 14-0 at that point.<\/p>\n On the drive, Brian Thomas Jr. had a key drop on a third down \u2014 a recurring issue<\/a> with the receiver \u2014 and Cam Little then missed a 50-yard field-goal attempt.<\/p>\n The Rams then moved the ball and scored for a 21-0 lead.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a lot of self-inflicted wounds,\u201d Hunter said. \u201cThe most disciplined team wins. They out-disciplined us.\u201d<\/p>\n Lawrence was sacked seven times for the second straight game.<\/p>\n