By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE — Chuba Hubbard didn’t sulk after his fumble in overtime three weeks ago in front of home crowd cost the Carolina Panthers a win against the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But the memory of letting his teammates down was never far from his mind. “I didn’t beat myself up too much about it.
I just told myself when the next opportunity comes, make the most of it,” Hubbard said. He did just that on Sunday. Hubbard ran for a 21-yard touchdown in overtime, and the Panthers eliminated the Arizona Cardinals from playoff contention with a 36-30 victory, capping a brilliant day for the fourth-year running back in Carolina’s final home game of the season.
Hubbard finished with 152 yards — one shy of his career high — and two TDs on 25 carries. He rushed for 49 yards on two carries on the decisive drive in OT on the same bread-and-butter play behind right guard Robert Hunt called “duo” — a 28-yard scamper to get his team into field goal range and then the game-winner, in which he broke two tackles before racing to the end zone. “God’s timing is undefeated,” Hubbard said.
“I’m just blessed to finish it the right way.” Panthers coach Dave Canales praised Hubbard for his work ethic. “It speaks to his character,” Canales said.
“That’s just who he is. He is just going to go right back to work and we are just going to keep giving him the ball, especially in those types of moments. It was just a beautiful moment.
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