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 The Falcons scored 21 points in the first quarter and grabbed a
35-0 lead by halftime at the Georgia Dome.
Hester scored two first-half touchdowns, the second of which was
from a 62-yard punt return to set a NFL record with the 20th TD of
his career from a kick return.
Hester danced his way into the end zone with his best impersonation
of Deion Sanders, the Hall of Famer he passed to set the mark.
Sanders' total includes interception returns, while Hester has
reached the feat purely on special teams – including one return of a
missed field goal for a score.
"It's tough to break the record of the guy who is my No. 1 mentor,"
Hester told reporters, of his close relationship with Sanders. "I'm
kind of emotional right now."
Quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 286 yards and three TDs while the
Falcons also got three rushing touchdowns and one interception
return as they scored the game's first 56 points.
Wide receiver Julio Jones had a banner night with 161 receiving
yards and two touchdowns.
"We had a tough loss last week. We needed to start fast and we were
able to do that," Ryan said. "When we’re out there and rolling we
can be pretty good. The biggest thing for us is we need to be
consistent week to week."
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The Buccaneers finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter
where backup quarterback Mike Glennon tossed a score in relief of
starter Josh McCown before linebacker Danny Lansanah intercepted and
returned it 27 yards for their second touchdown.
After finishing 4-12 last season, Tampa Bay was hoping to turn a
corner this year with first-year head coach Lovie Smith.
Thus far the Buccaneers have not solved their woes as they have
fallen to 0-3.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg
Stutchbury/Amlan Chakraborty)
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