Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Ridley ties franchise rookie touchdown record

Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Credit: Streeter Lecka

Credit: Streeter Lecka

Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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Dec 23, 2018

On the first play of the third quarter, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan tossed a 75-yard touchdown run to rookie wide receiver Calvin Ridley to take a 17-10 lead over the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.

It was Ridley’s ninth touchdown catch of the season and tied the franchise mark set by tight end Junior Miller in 1980. Ridley did not have a touchdown catch in the previous three games. He last caught a touchdown pass against the Saints on Nov. 22.

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Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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