Falcons QB Desmond Ridder Hopes to 'Get One Back' on Panthers' Bryce Young in Opener
Both the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers begin the 2023 season with newly cemented starters, but that doesn’t mean rivalries haven’t already been formed.
Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder played for the Cincinnati Bearcats in college and helped propel them to new heights, becoming the first non-Power Five school to make the College Football Playoff.
Unfortunately for Ridder, when the New Year's ball dropped, bringing 2021 to a close, his team's storybook-esque Cinderella season ended with it, thanks largely to the contributions of the new face of the Panthers franchise, former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
Today, Ridder spoke with the crew on Good Morning Football and discussed what he believed his college rival was bringing to Carolina.
“He’s a great player, both on and off the field. He’s a great person. He’s just smart, he has the intangibles, and then you talk about on the field stuff, he’s able to deliver every ball that there could be, and you know obviously the way he manages the game is great,” Ridder said.
Despite his praise for Young, Ridder hasn’t forgotten about their college showdown, where Young walked away the victor and ended his collegiate career.
“We get to see each other twice a year [now]. Obviously, he’s one [win] up on me, so I’ve gotta get one back on em. We’ll look to do that [in the] first week,” Ridder said.
Though the college chapter of both quarterback's careers has come to a close, Week 1 in Atlanta will present the opportunity for Ridder’s Falcons to avenge Cincinnati and begin Young’s career with a loss as their rivalry continues into the pros.
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