Monday, Oct. 13, 2008

Hayes makes mark with TD

Geno Hayes talked on a cell phone in the corridor under Raymond James Stadium on Sunday minutes after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 27-3 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

The win over their NFC South rivals vaulted the Buccaneers into a three-way tie for the division lead, and Hayes played a big part in the win.

Two minutes into the game with the Panthers punting from their own 41-yard line, Hayes, a rookie linebacker from Florida State, busted through the middle, blocked Jason Baker's punt, picked the ball up and scored his first NFL touchdowns, giving the Bucs (4-2) a 7-0 lead they wouldn't relinquish.

The play seemed to energize Tampa.

"We called a little blitz stunt and I had a one-on-one with the tackle," Hayes said. "He took a step too far to the outside, so I got to the punter and took it to the house."

He had several big moments leading the Seminoles' defense the past four seasons, including last year's game-saving interception he returned 38 yards for a touchdown in the final minute to give FSU a 27-17 victory over then-No. 2 Boston College. His blocked punt Sunday trumps that.

"This is the biggest one right now," said Hayes, who finished with four tackles. "Any kind of big play early in the first series is a big momentum boost, and that really gave our defense the biggest boost of the game."

The ball will take its rightful place in his collectibles.

"It's going on top of the dresser right now," Hayes said.

Mr. Everything

Bucs running back Earnest Graham didn't play his normal position Sunday. Normally, the starting tailback, Graham moved up to fullback because of injuries to regular fullback B.J. Askew and his replacement Byron Storer, who went down with an injury early in Sunday's contest.

No problem.

Graham simply opened holes to aid running back Warrick Dunn's 115-yard rushing day - the 30th 100-yard rushing game of his career - and Graham caught two passes for 47 yards, recording the longest reception of his career, a 24-yarder in the second quarter.

"I had a great time blocking for Warrick," said Graham, who had a 1-yard scoring plunge in the fourth quarter. "It was a very physical game. We felt like we were hitting on all cylinders."

Dunn was grateful for Graham's selflessness.

"The guy sacrificed his day to get in there and block, and he did a great job," Dunn said. "He s the ultimate team guy."

Defense won't budge

Carolina Panthers running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart were the latest victims on Tampa's tough run defense. Entering Sunday's game, the Bucs defense hadn't allowed a 100 yard rusher or gave up a rushing touchdown and they still haven't.

Williams and Stewart combined to rush for 39 yards on 17 carries, and the two didn't stiff the end zone. The Bucs are allowing only 3.5 yards per carry.

"What we really want to accomplish in a game is stopping the run," Tampa's defensive end Kevin Carter said, "putting pressure on the quarterback, getting turnovers, winning the field position battle, all key elements."