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Ihmir Smith-Marsette, former Iowa special-teams ace, records Panthers’ 1st punt return for TD since 2017
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Ihmir Smith-Marsette was a skilled return man in college for the Iowa Hawkeyes as well as a standout wide receiver. He put his return skills on display Thursday night as his Carolina Panthers took on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
With just over 6 minutes to play in the 1st quarter, the Bears were forced to punt the ball from their own 22. The ball fell into the hands of Smith-Marsette, who took it 79 yards for the score to put the Panthers on the scoreboard.
Take a look at the play below:
Ihmir Smith-Marsette takes one back against his former team 🏠📞#CARvsCHI on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/4MTENIL0r6— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2023
Panthers fans haven’t had much to cheer for in 2023 despite Bryce Young behind center; they’re 1-7 and could be on their way to the No. 1 overall pick for the 2nd year in a row. Maybe Smith-Marsette’s house call, Carolina’s 1st punt return for a touchdown since 2017, can spark his team to a win. (The Bears, at 2-7 and without Justin Fields, haven’t fared much better.)
Panthers-Bears is on Prime Video.