The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Panthers 43-13 in Week Seven after a second-quarter strip sack by Al-Quadin Muhammad set up Calijah Kancey’s 32-yard fumble-return touchdown. The score gave Tampa Bay a 17-0 lead and highlighted a defensive performance that included five sacks of Bryce Young. The Buccaneers did not relinquish that advantage at Bank of America Stadium.
The play came immediately after Yaya Diaby sacked Young for a one-yard loss. Diaby pushed Rasheed Walker backward on a bull rush, and Muhammad followed on the next snap by beating the guard from the interior and forcing the fumble. Kancey recovered the ball at the Panthers’ 32-yard line and returned it 32 yards for the touchdown.
How the turnover developed
Tampa Bay’s defensive plan emphasized attacking the football when a pass rusher reached Young. Muhammad moved inside after Vita left the field, while Kancey served as the quarterback spy because of Young’s ability to run and scramble. Muhammad won his matchup and knocked the ball loose, giving Kancey the opportunity to finish the play.
“On the play, Muhammad was inside,” said Outside Linebackers Coach/Run Game Coordinator Larry Foote. “We took Vita off the field so he moved inside. Actually, 94 [Calijah Kancey] was the spy guy on the quarterback, because he likes to run and scramble. So, Muhammad was in there and beat the guard and the point of focus all week was, ‘Think about the ball.’ Bryce Young sits in the pocket like a quarterback and waits for the route to open up but we saw on tape that he hangs in the pocket. We gave him credit. He stays in the pocket and does not blink. Point of emphasis during the week was when you come free, go for the ball. Quan won his matchup and when he was coming around, he thought about the football and knocked it loose and Calijah, ‘Johnny on the Spot,’ picked it up. The impressive thing was he looked like he knew what he was doing when he was running. It was a great play, great timing and athleticism by Calijah, because a lot of guys miss that ball. Only try guys that played baseball growing up understand how to scoop but he did a good job.”
Muhammad’s impact and Kancey’s milestone
The strip sack was Muhammad’s second sack of the season and the third strip sack of his career. It was also his first strip sack since 2021. Muhammad joined Tampa Bay as a free-agent acquisition in March after playing around 40% of the snaps for the Lions in 2025 and recording 11.0 sacks.
Foote said Muhammad has provided veteran leadership and guidance to Tampa Bay’s younger players. “He has brought a veteran savviness and has done a great job with the young guys giving them advice and he is not shy about it,” described Foote. “He does not hold back and just his work ethic. He is a great example for all the young guys to see, ‘If you want to make it to 30 in this league, you better pay attention to details and you better be a pro and serious about your craft.’”
For Kancey, the play produced his second career fumble recovery and first career defensive touchdown. The fourth-season defender recovered the loose ball at the Panthers’ 32-yard line and completed the 32-yard return. Tampa Bay’s score was its first scoop-and-score since Antoine Winfield Jr. returned one 58 yards against New Orleans in 2024.
FSB Take
The play connected Muhammad’s interior pressure with Kancey’s recovery and return, turning a defensive win into seven points. It also helped Tampa Bay build a 17-0 lead while the defense held Young under sustained pressure with five sacks. Kancey’s touchdown gave the Buccaneers their first scoop-and-score since 2024 and marked the first defensive touchdown of his career.
Source: Original report