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SALT LAKE CITY — BYU may not have found a way to win the final rivalry game until 2016, but alumnus Ziggy Ansah made sure the Cougars weren’t forgotten in the football world this past weekend.
The rookie defensive end made seven tackles and had two sacks to help lead the Detroit Lions to a 27-20 victory over the Washington Redskins.
Ansah also forced a fumble in the highlight performance among NFL players with a Utah background.
The Utes were also well represented by an alumnus of their defensive line as Star Lotulelei made two tackles and sacked Eli Manning as the Panthers dominated the New York Giants, 38-0. Other former Utes in Carolina also performed well, as Jordan Gross started for an offensive unit that gained 402 yards.
Steve Smith also caught three passes for 40 yards in the Carolina victory.
Perhaps no team in the NFL has been as surprising as the Miami Dolphins, owners of a 3-0 record that ties them for the AFC East lead with the New England Patriots. Former Utah defensive star Koa Misi had four tackles, with Derrick Shelby registering a tackle. Paul Soliai didn’t play with a knee injury.
The Kansas City Chiefs have also been a positive surprise, and in so small part due to Alex Smith. The former Utes quarterback completed 22 of 35 passes, throwing for 273 yards and rushing for 32 yards in the Chiefs’ 26-16 victory over Philadelphia. Fellow Utah alumnus Sean Smith also registered four tackles for Kansas City.
The other notable Ute performance came from San Diego’s Eric Weddle, who had nine tackles in a last-minute loss to Tennessee. Paul Kruger made four tackles for the Browns, as Cleveland picked up its first win of the season, beating the Minnesota Vikings 31-27.
The Seattle Seahawks are continuing to make their argument that they are the best team in football, and Utah State’s Bobby Wagner is playing a significant part in that argument. Wagner made nine tackles in a 45-17 win over Jacksonville, and also had an interception. Robert Turbin carried the ball three times for five yards for Seattle.
Weber State’s Paul McQuistan picked up a start for Seattle at left tackle, helping to anchor an offense that gained 479 yards.
Other local college player performances include BYU’s Brett Keisel, who registered four tackles in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ blowout loss to the Chicago Bears.
Several local high school players also made a mark in week three. Timpview’s Stephen Paea made two tackles for the Bears, and Highland’s Haloti Ngata made seven tackles for Baltimore. Cottonwood’s Stanley Havili had one reception for Indianapolis in a 27-7 victory over San Francisco.
Utah's Zane Beadles is expected to start for Denver in its Monday Night Football game against the Oakland Raiders.
