Former Prairie View A&M wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge played the hero in the Atlanta Falcons 36-30 Thursday night overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After primarily playing on special teams through the first four games of the season, Hodge got the opportunity to play on offense after Falcons star receiver Drake London went down with a rib injury.
Hodge took full advantage of his offensive snaps, finishing with two receptions (his first two of the season) for 67 yards. This included a 45-yard touchdown reception, marking the second receiving touchdown (third overall) in Hodge’s seven-year NFL career, which clinched the win in overtime.
KHADAREL HODGE CALLED GAME#TNFonPrime | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/vtKobQt7gc
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 4, 2024
“God is real, that’s all I can say,” said Hodge in a postgame interview after scoring the game-winning touchdown. “I prayed for this; I prayed for this every week. Just get my (opportunity) and take advantage of the (opportunity). That’s what I did I don’t even know what to say. I’m still soaking it in right now.”
Hodge is in his third year with the Atlanta Falcons, having previously played for the Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, and Cleveland Browns since entering the NFL in 2018.
For the first time in his NFL career, Hodge has scored two touchdowns in a season after scoring on a fumble recovery in the Falcons’ previous game against the New Orleans Saints.