'It's Gonna Be a Fun One': Falcons QB Desmond Ridder on Facing Jets CB Sauce Gardner

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder will have the opportunity to take on former college teammate Sauce Gardner and the New York Jets in Week 13.

The University of Cincinnati's 2021 College Football Playoff run is one of the greatest underdog stories in recent memory. 

Following an undefeated regular season, the Bearcats propelled their way to the No. 4 team in the country and matchup with Alabama in the Cotton Bowl. 

Despite falling to the Crimson Tide, Cincinnati's historic campaign led to a school record nine players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, including New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder. 

Gardner went on to be crowned the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year and the first rookie cornerback to being named an All-Pro since 1981. 

And while the two didn't have the opportunity to faceoff last season, Atlanta will travel to New York in Week 13 this year in an interconference showdown. Despite keeping in touch to this day, Ridder emphasized that friendship is an afterthought once the jerseys go on. 

"We stay in touch, but we know what it is as soon we hit the field," Ridder said on Good Morning Football. "It's just strap it up and let's go. That's my good buddy, [Sauce] and I have been through a lot together. We played each other last year preseason so we was talking here and there during practices and everything, but when the lights come on it's gonna be a fun one up there in New York."

Ridder will look to take over as the full-time starter in Atlanta following four starts last season.

Gardner's Jets face Ridder's Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. at MetLife Stadium.

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Follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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