After Quarterback Change, Chuba Hubbard Leads Once-Hapless Panthers to First Win

Drastic times called for drastic measures in Carolina over the past week, but a former Cowboy helped settle the waters.

The Panthers beat the Las Vegas Raiders 36-22 on Sunday in Sin City off the back of a big performance from former Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard ran for 114 yards and caught all five of his targets for another 55 yards and a score.

Chubetta believe that was a touchdown pic.twitter.com/H0sSsQKwjr

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 22, 2024

Before Sunday’s game, the Panthers were 0-2, losing by a combined score of 73-13. Carolina then benched former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young after Young went 31-for-51 (55%) for 245 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in those games. Carolina went with veteran Andy Dalton, who performed well alongside Hubbard, as Dalton threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

“Obviously, it’s been a long time since we won, a long time since we won on the road,” Hubbard said. “So just to come out here, you know, after all the adversity we faced and get a win, it was, it was big.

“It was everyone, everyone played a part in it. The offensive line, the receivers, the tight ends, the running backs, the coaches, they trusted it and we just came together and played as one. I mean, it was a beautiful sight.”

Despite the Panthers’ early struggles, this has quietly been a good start to the year for Hubbard. He’s ran 37 times this season for 192 yards. That 5.2 yard per carry average is a career-best. His yardage total through three games ranks 16th in the NFL with a lot of the guys ahead of him being household names — like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson.

This is Hubbard’s fourth year in Carolina and in the NFL. The Panthers took him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. To this point in his career, Hubbard has rushed for 2,172 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Hubbard and the Panthers host Cincinnati next Sunday.