A confident smile appeared on Bryce Young face for the first time in a while.
#Panthers HC Dave Canales greets all of his players by the tunnel after every game win or lose. Here was the moment between he and QB Bryce Young after Young led the game-winning touchdown drive. pic.twitter.com/tcBzWBljvp
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) November 4, 2024
The second-year quarterback led the Carolina Panthers to a 23-22 victory on Sunday over the New Orleans Saints.
Panthers’ HC ‘excited’ to see Bryce Young start versus New Orleans Saints
He got the start over Andy Dalton after a great week of practice. Young, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, has dealt with criticism early in his professional career.
Some are considering him a bust because of early struggles, but most know the former Alabama quarterback is not in the best situation. He picked himself up versus the Saints by completing 16 of 26 passes for 171 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Young put together a vintage performance in the fourth quarter that showed Panthers’ fans why he was the Heisman Trophy winner in Tuscaloosa (Ala.) in 2021.
Young took Carolina on a 64-yard drive in four plays with 3:26 remaining in regulation, trailing 17-22.
He connected with Xavier Legette for a 26-yard completion and then targeted Ja’Tavion Sanders for another big play; however, a defensive pass interference on the Saints helped the Panthers.
Chubba Hubbard finished the drive with a 16-yard touchdown run with 2:18 left in the fourth quarter.
Former Alabama coach comes to Bryce Young’s defense, amid Panthers struggles
Young’s lone scoring toss went to Legette, but his touchdown drive was reminiscent of the 2021 Iron Bowl where he took the Crimson Tide 97 yards in 12 plays. He dropped a 28-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Corey Brooks that tied the game at 10 and hit John Metchie for a two-point conversion in the fourth overtime to win 24-22 over Auburn. Young was thankful to lead Carolina to its second win of the season and his first of this year as its starting quarterback. Does this set up an opportunity of him staying with the Panthers after the trade deadline? We will see.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
