Ziggy and Star make rookie debut


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SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah and a BYU player drafted to the NFL this season played their first games this week.

Star Lotulelei, former defensive tackle at the University of Utah, was named top rookie of week one by cbssports.com after making four tackles in his debut with the Panthers. Despite being double-teamed throughout the game, he tackled Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch for a loss on the play and was close to getting a safety on second-year quarterback Russell Wilson.

Even with Lotulelei and the Carolina defense holding Lynch to 43 yards on 17 carries, Seattle edged its way to victory, winning 12-7.

Lotulelei was one of the key players to the Utah defense over three years. He had 41 tackles, five sacks and forced a fumble during the 2012 season. Lotulelei was projected to be a top three draft choice in the 2013 NFL Draft but slipped to 14th, where the Carolina Panthers picked him.

The Panthers head to Buffalo on Sunday to take on rookie quarterback EJ Manuel and the Bills.

Ezekiel "Ziggy" Ansah, a former BYU Cougar, had one tackle and half a sack in his first game with the Detroit Lions. The team clinched its first win of the season in a 34-24 victory over the Vikings.

As a Cougar, Ansah had 60 tackles, 4.5 sacks and one interception during the 2012 season. The Lions drafted him as the fifth overall pick.

There had been some question about whether Ansah would play on Sunday, having been diagnosed with a concussion that limited him during the practice week before. Team doctors, however, cleared him to play.

Ansah and the Lions will travel to Arizona for their week 2 matchup against the Cardinals. Follow @Davito23 on Twitter

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David Winkworth

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