There was 1:43 in the fourth quarter. The Patriots were hoping to run out the clock, and not give the ball back to Tampa Bay, clinging to a 21-16 lead.
On a 2nd-and-9 from the 30, Drake Maye pitched the ball TreVeyon Henderson who followed Khyiris Tonga around the left side, found daylight, and sped down the sideline.
Once Henderson got around the corner, it was obvious no one was going to catch the Patriots back, who has explosive speed as witnessed by his first touchdown, a 55-yarder at the start of the third quarter that showcased the lightning his has in his legs.
Then, on route to his second long score, Henderson did something rather unusual.
Instead of continuing straight into the end zone, he slightly cut across the field, and took a peek toward the sideline.
Given the situation, he wondered if the coaching staff wanted him to go down, or if he should continue into the end zone.
How on earth did Henderson have the presence to do that?
“I checked with the coaches, because I went through a situation last year at Ohio State like that,” Henderson explained. “I slid down. I forgot it was like a minute and change on the clock.”
In other words, he should have just scored. So this time, he glanced over to the sideline before crossing into the end zone.
“In this situation, I was kind of confused. But I tried to make sure I checked with the coaches real quick to see what they wanted me to do,” Henderson said. “But I knew I had guys running behind me, so I had to make a decision in like two seconds. It ended up happening. It ended up getting in the end zone. At the end of the day, we came out with the win.”
He completed the 79-yard touchdown in style, showing a measure of selflessness and savvy in being willing to go down.
On the day, with Rhamondre Stevenson missing his second straight game with a toe injury, and Terrell Jennings also going down in the first half, Henderson rushed for 147 yards on 14 carries. He had those two explosive scores that were vital in the 28-23 win over the Buccaneers.
It was a breakout performance to say the least.
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