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UCF alumni Mike Hughes and Latavius Murray saw solid action for the Minnesota Vikings in their preseason debut in Denver.
Hughes finished the day with two tackles in his first career NFL game, but impressed in pass coverage. He also returned a kickoff for 16 yards and two punts, one of which went for 11.
Mike Hughes Gets It in Coverage
Hughes wasn't pictured in the official highlights but let's credit @Krauseriffic on Twitter for a couple of nice breakdowns of Hughes' pass coverage:
Mike Hughes running the route for DaeSean Hamilton, would’ve had the INT if the WR hadn’t broken it up.
— Krauser (@Krauserrific) August 12, 2018
That was the only target to his coverage. pic.twitter.com/HLNahwWj6a
Opposite side of the Broncos TD, Mike Hughes runs the route for WR Jordan Leslie.
— Krauser (@Krauserrific) August 12, 2018
So smooth. pic.twitter.com/ccDFMxOjDJ
Nice plays by Hughes making a play in run support from backside of the formation pic.twitter.com/MGapTHTXdq
— Josh Mensch (@JoshMenschNFL) August 12, 2018
Veteran Vikings DB Xavier Rhodes had high praise for Hughes after the game:
Xavier Rhodes on rookie CB Mike Hughes: “Down the road he could be one of the best in the league.”#Vikings
— Sean Borman (@SeanBoarMan) August 12, 2018
Murray Off to a Flying Start
Latavius Murray got off to a great start, with four carries for 43 yards, including back-to-back 20-yarders in the first:
In the #Vikings opening drive, they carved up the #Broncos starting defense.
— Justin Barlow (@FFcouchcoach) August 12, 2018
It started off with 2 back-to-back 21yd runs from Latavius Murray. Stefon Diggs finished things off.
Thread: Play 1... pic.twitter.com/s0KSEuWVRJ
La-La-La-Latavius!
— Justin Barlow (@FFcouchcoach) August 12, 2018
Dalvin Cook owners will be sweating this out all season.
Thread: Play 2#Vikings pic.twitter.com/sa6HRuewGU
Latavius continues to make his case to start over highly-touted Florida State product Dalvin Cook.
The Vikings went on to win the game, 42-28