The game was looking like an uphill battle for the Cincinnati Bengals until former Ohio State defensive end Sam Hubbard found himself in the right place at the right time to flip the script.
There’s still time to go in what has turned out to be one whale of a game between the Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, but there was a massive 14-point swing that has made Cincinnati rejoice for the time being.
Baltimore is giving the AFC North champions Bengals all they can handle and was getting ready to punch it in from one yard out to go up by seven points in the fourth quarter when quarterback Tyler Huntley tried to reach the ball over the goal line.
Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for Cincinnati fans, the ball was punched out before it crossed the goal line and fell right in the lap of Hubbard, who turned and raced 98 yards with a convoy to score a huge touchdown and electrify the crowd and team.
Twitter was ablaze after the shocking, yet elating turn of events, and we have some of the best reactions for you here.
First … The Highlight
The Fumble Return Highlight
Sam Hubbard takes the fumble 98 yards for the TD ‼️
📺: #BALvsCIN on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/hNJJJGqxGF pic.twitter.com/PoVImXrfpz— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2023
The Bengals Twitter account was all over it
SAM HUBBARD TOUCHDOWN
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 16, 2023
A friendly reminder on what sport Hubbard was more known for in high school
Sam Hubbard played lacrosse
— Bill Landis (@BillLandis25) January 16, 2023
A former Buckeye teammate celebrates
Super Bowl Sam!!! @Sam_Hubbard_ let’s go!!!
— Tracy Sprinkle | CEO (@TSprinkle93) January 16, 2023
Well, yeah ... there's that
Sam Hubbard has to play defense again now 😅
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) January 16, 2023
The folks at the Columbus Dispatch are impressed
Holy wowza. Sam Hubbard.
— Rob Oller (@rollerCD) January 16, 2023
A play worthy of some oxygen
Big man gotta eat, big man gotta breathe. Sam Hubbard runs back the go ahead TD. pic.twitter.com/VVdRdCUkBA
— Sam Greene (@SGdoesit) January 16, 2023
Yes, we can take credit!
SAM HUBBARD. 🙌 #DevelopedHere https://t.co/pQf8mInKR0
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 16, 2023
It was ... Awesome Baby!
Wow what a turnaround / UNBELIEVABLE – @Ravens ready to score from @Bengals 1 yard line fumbles & Sam Hubbard of @Bengals goes 98 yards in longest fumble return in playoff history . Now Cincy leads 24-17 WOW
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 16, 2023
Some interesting notes points maybe you hadn't thought of
Sam Hubbard traveled 123.6 yards on his 98-yd fumble return TD, the most distance traveled by a ball carrier on a TD this season.
The @Bengals win probability increased by 42% as a result of the play (from 46% → 88%).#BALvsCIN | Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/LPm8vSNM42
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 16, 2023
Ohio born, bred, and developed
Sam Hubbard has spent his entire football career in the state of Ohio.
• Archbishop Moeller High School (2010-14)
• Ohio State (2014-17)
• Cincinnati Bengals (2018-present)The hometown kid is a hometown hero. pic.twitter.com/tA2BVXNwCw
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) January 16, 2023
Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda ...
The Browns took Chad Thomas 10 picks ahead of Sam Hubbard.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) January 16, 2023
Most impressive indeed
Sam Hubbard’s 98-yard fumble return TD is the longest go-ahead TD in the 4th quarter in NFL postseason history.
It is also the longest fumble return TD in NFL postseason history. #RuleTheJungle @Bengals
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 16, 2023
It ain't easy ...
Sam Hubbard after the fumble return TD pic.twitter.com/yKzN9vsWIV
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) January 16, 2023
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on Twitter.
Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.
