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Redemption comes in final minute for Bucs’ Catanzaro, Smith

Kicker and cornerback struggled early, but finished strong with winning kick and clinching interception.
 
Published Aug. 10, 2018

For 59 minutes, it wasn't what Bucs kicker Chandler Catanzaro or cornerback Ryan Smith wanted from Tampa Bay's preseason opener.

Catanzaro missed an extra point early and a long field goal late, allowing Miami to rally for the lead with 1:50 left, and the Dolphins threw in Smith's direction quite a bit for much of the game.

But Catanzaro got redemption with a go-ahead 26-yard field goal with 23 seconds left, and Smith clinched the win by intercepting quarterback Bryce Petty with two seconds left.

Catanzaro missed the extra point on the Bucs' first touchdown, and missed a 53-yard kick right in the fourth quarter, keeping the Dolphins within a score. They got a touchdown and two-point conversion to take the lead, but the Bucs gave Catanzaro another chance, and he converted that one.

"I've got to kick the ball better, first and foremost," Catanzaro said after the game. "Not my best game by any means, but I'll build on it. Thankful for the opportunity at the end that Ryan Griffin and the offense provided for us. Drew Ferris made a heck of a first game-winning snap and Bryan Anger had a great hold and we put it through."

Smith had a hand in both Bucs takeaways, as Miami's Kalen Ballage attempted to hurdle him and fumbled earlier. The Dolphins threw at him enough that he had a team-high seven tackles, but his biggest play was the clinching interception in the final seconds.

"I didn't have the best of games, so to end it off with that was a plus to it," Smith said. "I've got a lot of work to do. It's a win. That's what matters most, no matter how I played. Winning's more important, so we go back to work and do better next time."