Two plays after the big shot, Young found Jalen Coker in the corner of the end zone for a contested catch that the second-year player brought in for the touchdown. It was a fitting sequence, highlighting two guys the Panthers found at opposite ends of the prospect spectrum—McMillan was the No. 8 overall pick, and Coker was an undrafted free agent—and how they have brought them together to create a one-two punch that can be built upon for years to come.
“I think we’re just going to have to continue to play every week and to continue to make plays downfield, you know, (TMac’s) a great player,” Coker, who finished with six catches for 47 yards and a touchdown, said.
“Same with Xavier Legette, same with Jimmy Horn Jr., you know, everyone’s going to continue to rise and step up and continue to make big plays.”
There was a chance for McMillan to finish with an even bigger stat line and get the Panthers into Bucs territory in the third quarter, but officials negated his 32-yard catch with offensive pass interference. The call immediately drew ire from ESPN announcers, former players, and more.
In a postgame pool report, referee Brad Allen explained the call, saying, “The covering official saw that the receiver created separation more than one yard downfield, which by rule is illegal and is offensive pass interference.”