Chuba Hubbard was unstoppable as the Carolina Panthers took on the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday. His patience and resilience were evident, contributing in a completely unseen way to the success of the team. In every moment that counted, Hubbard rose to the occasion. He was excellent on third downs having taken a back seat to now Carolina Panther teammate Rico Dowdle. His May 13 performance was the beginning of a truly difficult campaign. Most importantly, he proved he was willing to do anything to make his team successful.
That’s exactly the way that game played out on Sunday. That was a key moment for Hubbard, who called it a turning point in his career. Despite facing struggles earlier in the season, including a calf injury that limited his explosiveness, he emerged as a key player against the opposing team. Hubbard led the team with 17 carries for 83 yards rushing. He was outstanding during the passing game with two receptions for 41 yards, highlighted by an impressive 35-yard touchdown reception.
Hubbard’s influence was most clearly felt on important third downs. On Carolina’s initial possession, he had a gigantic 7-yard scramble on third-and-3. This unfortunate sequence foreshadowed the tone of the game as a whole. He subsequently got into the act on third-and-8 to the desert three plays later, coming down with an 11-yard touchdown grab. In total, Hubbard produced 54 scrimmage yards on third downs, the second-highest mark of his five-year career.
Panthers coach Dave Canales expressed his admiration for Hubbard’s performance, stating, “He looked amazing. He looked explosive and he looked strong and really brought an attitude to our group. It really impacted us as a team.” This acknowledgement speaks deeply to Hubbard’s knack and specialty at quarterback. It emphasizes how important he is to the entire team’s spirit and dynamic.
Looking back on his path, Hubbard admitted that for most of the season, he was not where he wanted to be. He had only managed a combined 10 carries for 51 yards over his previous three games but maintained his leadership role within the locker room and at practice. He said all the right things, emphasizing his commitment to winning no matter what.
“I’ve been in Carolina five years now and the goal has been to bring wins to Carolina, bring good football to Carolina, no matter how that looks.” – Chuba Hubbard
Even in the face of adversity, Hubbard continued to focus on the prize. He noted, “I prayed so many times for moments like this,” illustrating both his faith and determination to capitalize on opportunities when they arise.
Most importantly, Hubbard’s play over the past month help establish his place on this team. It illustrated his talent as a clear legitimate top dog moving forward. His ability to come back from injury and still provide such impactful plays shows his resilience and drive.
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