DETROIT -- Less than 24 hours after signing a contract with the Detroit Lions, former Kutztown University football standout Craig Reynolds was receiving all the headlines.

Reynolds, who admitted introducing himself to teammates in the huddle, wowed the Motor City faithful with a deft cutback that led to a 24-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter of the Lions' 16-15 preseason-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field last Friday night.

"I just felt it," Reynolds said in the postgame press conference. "The offensive line did a great job the whole series opening lanes and holes. On that play [the touchdown run], I felt the flow, tried to stay in control and once everything washed by, stay tight and press. I got vertical, saw green grass and the receivers blocked downfield. I wasn't touched, so credit to my 10 teammates on the field who helped make it happen."

While those who follow the Golden Bears are well acquainted with Reynolds and his talent, little thought was given to his potential impact in Detroit when he was signed Wednesday to provide depth at running back with starter D'Andre Swift nursing an injury.

Eyebrows raised when the 5-foot-11, 225-pound Reynolds took his second carry for 10 yards early in the fourth quarter with Detroit trailing 13-6. Reynolds also had a pair of two-yard carries, a reception and a strong blitz pickup on the drive, which nearly ended with an interception if not for a defensive penalty by the Bills.

On the very next play following the drive-extending penalty, Reynolds took a handoff from quarterback David Blough, hesitated and found a hole up the middle. He outraced a linebacker to the sideline and dove, extending the ball just inside the left front pylon for his first NFL touchdown.

Reynolds carried six times for a team-high 49 yards and also led the team with 8.2 yards per carry. According to the Lions PR team, Reynolds' TD rush was the third-longest of the preseason and his yards per carry ranked fourth in the league among backs with six or more rushing attempts.

Lion fans were impressed, but more importantly, the coaching staff were, too.

"He's a guy who, we'll see where this goes, but he's got that look in his eye and he did when he walked in," Lions' first-year head coach Dan Campbell said during his postgame media availability. "It's like, 'hey, I'm here to compete and I'll know enough of this playbook that you can put me in there.' During the game I'm asking Duce [assistant head coach/running backs coach and former Philadelphia Eagle Duce Staley], what can this guy do?" Staley responded, "he's good, he's pretty good coach, I think he can do it." "He did some good things," Campbell closed.

After going undrafted in 2019, Reynolds received a minicamp invite from the Washington Football Team [formerly Redskins], eventually earning a contract. He bounced back and forth between the practice squad and active roster, working his way into three regular season games as a member of the special teams unit. He also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad later that season. In 2020, he latched on with the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad before making his debut with the team in week 12 against the Cleveland Browns. In week 16 against the Chicago Bears, Reynolds logged his first regular season NFL carry and reception, gaining four yards on his lone rush and three yards on his lone catch.

The dedication Reynolds has shown to fighting for his next opportunity is a point of pride for current Kutztown head coach Jim Clements. "Craig has worked his tail off every day in preparation for this opportunity," Clements said. "I'm really happy for him. Last Tuesday he was up at our facility working out. He flew out Wednesday, signed Thursday and made quite the impact on the game Friday. It epitomizes the mantra of our program and what we try to stress to our players, always be ready and make the most of your opportunities."

Reynolds will look to build upon his impressive debut when the Lions visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, Aug. 21, as part of the NFL's Preseason Week 2 lineup. Kickoff from Heinz Field is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will air nationally on the NFL Network.