Mecole Hardman recovers from early mistake with big first half for Chiefs

Mecole Hardman got off to a rough start in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, muffing a punt that set up an easy score for the Buffalo Bills.

Oh no, Mecole Hardmanpic.twitter.com/VjfYMOmlF3

— Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 25, 2021

The former Georgia standout, however, recovered in a big way. He scored Kansas City’s first touchdown on a 4-yard reception and had another highlight play on a later Chiefs’ scoring drive with a 50-yard run.

Mecole with the @Chiefs first TD of the game. pic.twitter.com/G0bX4Xlw3c

— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) January 25, 2021

Hardman again! What muffed punt? pic.twitter.com/YcOdtQeLFV

— UGA Football Live (@UGAfootballLive) January 25, 2021

Despite Buffalo’s 9-0 start, Hardman’s Chiefs lead the Bills 21-12 at the break.

All four touchdowns have involved former SEC players. Kansas City’s other two scores belong to former LSU running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams. Josh Allen threw to former Ole Miss tight end Dawson Knox for Buffalo’s TD.

The game is airing on CBS.