Tucker, the second-year running back from Syracuse who had only 17 rushing attempts in the 16 games he\u2019d played in prior to Sunday, led the Bucs with 136 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.<\/p>\n
His 36-yard touchdown reception gave the Bucs a 24-20 advantage in the second quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the Sean Tucker we thought we would get when we got him last year, and he\u2019s coming into his own,\u201d coach Todd Bowles said.<\/p>\n
With starting tailback Rachaad White out with a foot injury, Tucker and rookie Bucky Irving provided the 1-2 punch in the backfield the Bucs have longed for.<\/p>\n
Irving finished with 81 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown, including a 31-yard run. But it was Tucker who controlled the game in the second half, slashing and dashing around and through a tired Saints defense.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor guys to be able to step in and play like that? That\u2019s more than just the next man up mentality,\u201d Mayfield said of Tucker. \u201cThat\u2019s a huge jump he just took (Sunday) and I\u2019m really, really happy for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bucs running back Bucky Irving (7) gets around Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) during the second half. [\u00a0MICHAEL CONROY | AP\u00a0]<\/p>\n
Tucker and Irving combined to only rush seven times in the first half. That was thanks to a combination of penalties and three Mayfield interceptions. The Bucs entered Sunday\u2019s game as the least-flagged team in the NFL but finished with a season-high 12 penalties for 86 yards.<\/p>\n
But in the second half, they put the game in the hands of Tucker, who left Syracuse after rushing for 3,182 career yards, just behind guys like Joe Morris and Walter Reyes, and ahead of players named Larry Csonka, Jim Brown, Floyd Little and Ernie Davis. In fact, he shattered the Orange\u2019s single-season rushing record with 1,496 yards in 2021.<\/p>\n
But coming out of Syracuse, he was flagged for a heart condition the day before his position group was supposed to run at the NFL scouting combine in March 2023.<\/p>\n
That forced Tucker to go undrafted. But the Bucs still believed in his talent and signed him as an undrafted free agent.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a testament to all the hard work I\u2019ve been put into the game,\u201d Tucker said of his performance Sunday. \u201cAnd the work I did growing up. From me being here and getting an opportunity to show what I can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Explore all your options<\/a><\/p>\n Prior to Sunday, Tucker had been used primarily as a kickoff returner. He had two for 86 yards in a loss to the Falcons.<\/p>\n \u201cIt speaks to the character of the guy,\u201d receiver Chris Godwin said. \u201cYou know, Sean has never complained since he\u2019s been here. He\u2019s waited and worked his tail off to be prepared for this opportunity and went in and thrived. He was ready for it. …<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he\u2019s a tough guy to bring down. I think he\u2019s faster than people think, and he runs really strong. I\u2019m proud of him, man.\u201d<\/p>\n Credit the offensive line<\/a>, which was missing rookie center Graham Barton. Veteran Robert Hainsey stepped in for him and the Bucs turned in a historic performance. They rushed for 277 yards on 35 carries, good for a 7.9 yards-per-carry average.<\/p>\n Tucker said he entered Sunday\u2019s game not knowing how many times he would touch the football.<\/p>\n \u201cJust whatever I got, I wanted to take advantage of it,\u201d he said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t really worried about how many touches I would get. I just wanted to play great out there.\u201d<\/p>\n He wound up combining for 192 total yards against the Saints.<\/p>\n Does Tucker think he should start?<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, I always think I should start,\u201d he said, smiling.<\/p>\n Maybe the Bucs should start thinking that way, too.<\/p>\n \u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter <\/a>to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.<\/p>\n Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on Instagram<\/a>, X<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\nBucs running back Sean Tucker (44) runs toward the end zone to score past Saints safety J.T. Gray (48) during the first half. [\u00a0BUTCH DILL | AP\u00a0]<\/p>\n