Three former BYU football stars had big days in NFL. Whose was best? - Deseret News

riariaga.blogspot.com

For three former BYU football stars, Sunday’s NFL action brought about positive results in team wins.

Jamaal Williams filled in as Green Bay’s starting running back, replacing an injured Aaron Jones, and the Cougars’ all-time leading rusher had his best day of the season in the Packers’ 35-20 win over Houston.

Williams rushed for 77 yards on 19 carries — a 4.1 per-carry average — and scored his first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard run with 3:40 to play to give Green Bay a 35-13 lead. Williams set up the touchdown with a 13-yard gain on the previous play, his longest run of the game.

With Jones dealing with a calf strain, Williams provided the main rushing punch for the Packers — rookie AJ Dillon had five carries for 11 yards. Williams also had four receptions for 37 yards, accounting for 114 yards of total offense in the win.

“I think he deserves so much credit for what he did in the offseason to get himself in this position. He’s such a talented guy. He obviously brings so much outside of the physical — the energy, swag, the dancing moves,” Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers told reporters on a postgame video conference.

“He’s an important part of what we’re doing. … You love seeing him get that touchdown at the end.”

Two former Cougar defenders — safety Daniel Sorensen and linebacker Fred Warner — also had big days, as both came up with interceptions and led their team in tackles.

Sorensen’s interception for Kansas City — his second in as many weeks — came at a timely juncture, with the Chiefs holding on to a 10-6 lead over Denver in the second quarter.

With the Broncos facing a second-and-13 near midfield, Sorensen perfectly read a Drew Lock pass intended for tight end Noah Fant and stepped in front of Fant for the pick, then ran untouched for the 50-yard score.

It’s his third career touchdown and first since 2018.

Sorensen, who started at safety, tied for the team lead with nine tackles — that included seven solo stops — and added a pass deflection in the Chiefs’ 43-16 victory.

Warner, meanwhile, again had a strong day from his Mike linebacker position for San Francisco in the 49ers’ 33-6 victory over New England.

His interception, too, helped sway momentum.

Midway through the second quarter with the Patriots trailing 10-3, New England quarterback Cam Newton srambled on a first-and-10 play and threw a wobbly pass. Going low, Warner intercepted the ball at the Patriots 41 and returned it 3 yards, setting up a short field and a touchdown five plays later as the 49ers went ahead 16-3.

It’s Warner’s second interception of the season, after he had one in Week 3 against the New York Giants.

Warner, a team captain, had seven tackles in the game — including three solo stops — and added a pass deflection to help San Francisco improve to 4-3 on the year.

Kansas City Chiefs free safety Daniel Sorensen reacts with outside linebacker Damien Wilson after running an interception back for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Denver. Jack Dempsey, Associated Press
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, left, celebrates his interception with teammates in the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Foxborough, Mass. Steven Senne, Associated Press

Here’s a look at how each of the Utah ties on active rosters performed during the seventh week of the 2020 season:

Eagles 22, Giants 21

Philadelphia

Sua Opeta, OG, Weber State and Stansbury High: Started at left guard, his first career start, and played all 81 offensive snaps for the Eagles.

New York

Jackson Barton, OT, Utah and Brighton High: Not active for game.
Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State: Started at outside linebacker and had three tackles, including a solo stop, and a quarterback hurry that led to an incompletion on a third-down play.

Lions 23, Falcons 22

Detroit

Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Not active for game.
John Penisini, DL, Utah, Snow College and West Jordan High: Started on the defensive line and had two tackles, including a solo stop.

Atlanta

No locals on roster

Browns 37, Bengals 34

Cleveland

Porter Gustin, DE, Salem Hills High: Had an assisted tackle.
Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU: Started at Sam linebacker and had three solo tackles.

Cincinnati

LeShaun Sims, CB, Southern Utah: Started at cornerback and had two solo tackles.

Packers 35, Texans 20

Green Bay

Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Not active for game.
Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Started at running back and scored his first touchdown of the year on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter. He had 77 yards on 19 carries, including a 13-yarder that set up his touchdown, and added four receptions on five targets for 37 yards.

Houston

No locals on roster

Saints 27, Panthers 24

New Orleans

Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial High: Played as a reserve.
Taysom Hill, QB, BYU: Had one carry for 6 yards, one pass completion for 0 yards and was targeted on one pass play.
Marcus Williams, FS, Utah: Started at free safety and tied for the team lead with six tackles, including three solo stops.

Carolina

No locals on active roster

Bills 18, Jets 10

Buffalo

Jordan Devey, OL, Snow College and American Fork High: Played as a reserve.
Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Started at cornerback and had two solo tackles and a pass deflection on a third-down play.
Zack Moss, RB, Utah: Had the best day of his young career, rushing for 47 yards on seven carries, including a 26-yarder that helped set up a field goal four plays later, while adding three receptions for 25 yards.

New York

Javelin Guidry, DB, Utah: Did not play.
Harvey Langi, LB, BYU, Utah and Bingham High: Played as a reserve.

Steelers 27, Titans 24

Pittsburgh

No locals on roster

Tennessee

No locals on roster

Football Team 25, Cowboys 3

Washington

Jared Norris, LB, Utah: Played as a reserve.
Nate Orchard, DE, Utah and Highland High: Played as a reserve.
Alex Smith, QB, Utah: Did not play.

Dallas

Bradlee Anae, DE, Utah: Not active for game.
Francis Bernard, LB, Utah, BYU and Herriman High: Played as a reserve.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham High: Had two receptions on four targets for 22 yards and recovered a fumble.

Buccaneers 45, Raiders 20

Tampa Bay

No locals on roster

Las Vegas

Devontae Booker, RB, Utah: Had three carries for 5 yards, two receptions for 9 yards and a kickoff return for 4 yards.
Andre James, OT, Herriman High: Played as a reserve.
Nevin Lawson, CB, Utah State: Started at cornerback and had six tackles, including five solo stops, and a pass defection.
Dallin Leavitt, S, Utah State and BYU: Played as a reserve.

Chiefs 43, Broncos 16

Kansas City

Marcus Kemp, WR, Layton High: Had one catch for 11 yards on a touchdown drive.
Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU: Started at safety and had a pick-six, returning an interception 50 yards for a score to put the Chiefs up 17-6 in the second quarter. He also tied for the team lead with nine tackles, including seven solo stops, and added a pass deflection.
Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah State: Not active for game.

Denver

Garett Bolles, OT, Utah, Snow College and Westlake High: Started at left tackle and had an assisted tackle following a Denver turnover.
Tim Patrick, WR, Utah: Started at wide receiver and had three catches for 44 yards, including a 27-yarder on a touchdown drive, and a tackle following a Denver turnover.

Chargers 39, Jaguars 29

Los Angeles

Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Started at cornerback and had a solo tackle.
Alohi Gilman, S, Orem High: Not active for game.
Sam Tevi, OT, Utah: Started at left tackle.
Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State and Fremont High: Had a solo special teams tackle.

Jacksonville

No locals on active roster

49ers 33, Patriots 6

San Francisco

Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Started at Mike linebacker and had an interception, picking off Cam Newton in the second quarter to set up a 49ers touchdown. He also led the team with seven tackles, including three solo stops, and added a pass deflection.
Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah: Had one punt for 45 yards while also serving as the team’s holder and kickoff specialist.

New England

No locals on roster

Seahawks at Cardinals, Sunday night

Seattle

Cody Barton, LB, Utah and Brighton High
Bryan Mone, DT, Highland High
Bobby Wagner, MLB, Utah State

Arizona

Kylie Fitts, OLB, Utah
Leki Fotu, DT, Utah and Herriman High

Bears at Rams, Monday night

Chicago

Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
Patrick Scales, LS, Utah State and Weber High