Tre Tucker: Jadon Thompson's KO Return TD was in 'a Gray Area'

The senior wide receiver usually returns kick, but Thompson took over a few returns with a bang on Saturday.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Nov 15, 2022 5:35 PM EST

CINCINNATI — Bearcats' wide receiver Tre Tucker was glad to see fellow wideout Jadon Thompson take a "gray area" return all the way to the house against East Carolina.

Tucker discussed the play on Tuesday and said Thompson had the right to take the ball but it was in no man's land.

We kind of knew these past few weeks they've been kicking it kind of all over the place. So, you know, we're prepared for it and actually, like when I go look on the film, you know, it was in a gray area, but I think he did have the right away to take it, you know, but I couldn't see where I was. I was just going off feel. You know what I mean?"

Thompson felt the right instinct on the return taking a great angle down the right sideline to outrun the ECU team.

He is now halfway to Tucker's two career kickoff return touchdowns after posting the score and 146 return yards against ECU.

"The biggest thing is just make sure you communicate," Tucker continued. "So I yelled me, me, me, me, and he didn't hear that. I mean, I just throw my hands up like, all right, and then I run up, and then it was just slow motion. I saw him running. I'm like, No way. He just broke out. And I'm just like watching him run I'm watching him, watching him, watching him, and I see someone coming. I think it was the kicker. I'm like, man, if the kicker gets him this is gonna be bad, so I just started running and he ended up taking it all the way."

It was a massive play that surely will make the All Bearcats Top-10 plays of the year at season's end. Cincinnati may need one more splash play like that on special teams to lift their third-straight AAC Championship trophy.

That journey continues this Saturday at 4 p.m. ET against Temple. The game is airing on ESPNU via fuboTV—start your free trial here.

Make sure you bookmark All Bearcats for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.

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