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SALT LAKE CITY -- In the NFC East showdown of the bottom feeders, former Utah State Aggie Chris Cooley and the Washington Redskins made a late-game comeback with Rex Grossman behind the helm before losing to the Dallas Cowboys 33-30.
The Cowboys came out strong against the Redskins, going up 30-14 to start the fourth quarter, but Grossman and Cooley had other plans. Grossman scored on the opening drive of the fourth quarter, with Cooley catching the two-point conversion pass, closing the gap 30-22.
Later, Cooley was instrumental in tying up the game, after catching a short pass up the middle from Grossman for a five-yard touchdown. The Redskins were successful in their two-point conversion attempt again, tying the game at 30-30 with 7:37 left in the game. However, the Redskins were unable to hang on as the Cowboys scored a game-winning field goal, winning 33-30.
The only update I can give you is he's doing OK right now. He had a concussion, and he'll be evaluated further.
–Jim Caldwell
Although Cooley started the game out rather quiet, he ended the day with five catches for 62 yards and one touchdown. Sunday's touchdown was Cooley's third touchdown on the season.
Former BYU Cougar Austin Collie returned to action for the Indianapolis Colts Sunday following being sidelined for two weeks after aggravating an earlier concussion on November 7.
Collie rejuvenated a struggling Colts team, catching eight passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game because of a hard hit to his head by linebacker Daryl Smith of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Collie lay motionless on the ground for several minutes before walking to the locker room to be evaluated.
"The only update I can give you is he's doing OK right now," coach Jim Caldwell said. "He had a concussion, and he'll be evaluated further."
The concussion Collie sustained Sunday is the third time this season he's taken a hard hit to the head. It is likely that Collie will be out for the remainder of the season. If the Colts make the playoffs, Collie may see some action, but as of now it is not likely.
Former Utah Ute David Reed of the Baltimore Ravens had a big game last Monday as the Ravens beat the Houston Texans 34-28. Reed had an outstanding return for a 103-yard touchdown after breaking three Texans defenders. He ended the night with six returns for a total of 233 yards.
On Sunday, Reed had a less-than-stellar night, having only one return for 18 yards. Nevertheless, Reed has found his place as the Ravens return guy.
After a great performance last week, former Utah Ute Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers rolled over as the San Diego Chargers dominated the game, winning 34-7.
Smith was 19-of-29 for 165 yards, throwing an interception late in the game, setting up the Chargers for a field goal to make the score 34-0. Smith also rushed for six yards and what appeared to be a touchdown, but was overruled on replay.
"It continued to get one-dimensional for us," Smith said. "When you play a defense of that caliber, they're the number one defense for a reason. They played well."
It is still uncertain if Alex will remain as the starting quarterback. Coach Mike Singletary has previously mentioned that he will assess the situation on a week-by-week basis.
Following a tough battle fighting off testicular cancer, former Utah State Aggie Kevin Curtis signed with the Miami Dolphins, making his debut Sunday as the Dolphins fell to the Buffalo Bills 17-14, keeping the Dolphins out of playoff contention.
In his first game back, Curtis had one catch for six yards and one carry, also for six yards.
Other notable locals in play:
- Koa Misi (Utah), LB, Miami Dolphins: Misi sacked Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and ended the game with two total tackles
- Sean Smith (Utah), CB, Miami Dolphins: Smith had a pass deflection and had one total tackle
- Paul Soliai (Utah), DE, Miami Dolphins: Soliai also had a pass deflection against the Bills, ending the game with three total tackles with one for a loss
- Steve Smith (Utah), WR, Carolina Panthers: Smith had two catches for 22 yards as the Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals 19-12.
- Bryan Kehl (BYU), LB, St. Louis Rams: Kehl had three total tackles, with one for a loss and one quarterback hit
- Eric Weddle (Utah), S, San Diego Chargers: Weddle had five total tackles in the complete dominance of the Niners
- Haloti Ngata (Highland HS), DT, Baltimore Ravens: Ngata had a pass deflection that led to the game-winning interception against the New Orleans Saints. He also had three total tackles, one for a loss
- Brett Keisel (BYU), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers: Keisel made his presence known, deflecting two passes and getting four total tackles
- Stevenson Sylvester (Utah), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Sylvester got action, ending the game with two total tackles
- Sione Pouha (Utah), DT, New York Jets: Pouha had three total tackles
- Aaron Francisco (BYU), S, Indianapolis Colts: Francisco had six total tackles with one for a loss
- Nick Miller (SUU), WR, Oakland Raiders: Miller had one kickoff return for 27 yards and five punt returns for 47 yards
- Daniel Coats (BYU), TE, Denver Broncos: Coats was signed by the Broncos this week, making two total tackles against the Oakland Raiders on special teams
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