Locals in the NFL: Former Utes DB Julian Blackmon leaving mark on Colts with 2nd INT in 6 weeks

AROUND THE SHIELD — It didn't take long for Julian Blackmon to make a name for himself in the National Football League.

The Layton High graduate who played collegiately at Utah made the game-sealing interception Sunday to help the Colts hold off the Bengals, 31-27 to lift Indianapolis to a 4-2 record for second place in the AFC South.

The 22-year-old Blackmon started at free safety, and also had two tackles and a pass breakup in addition to picking off Joe Burrow at the Colts' 19-yard-line. It's the rookie's second interception in his first six weeks, and has him earning the trust of the coaching staff and his veteran teammates.

"He's a playmaker," Colts defensive lineman DeForest Buckner told the media of Blackmon. "Week in and week out, he's making plays in practice and it transfers over into games. You gain so much trust in a guy like him; he's only a rookie, and he's out there making a difference. He's a playmaker and guys feed off of that energy."

Indianapolis fell behind by as much as 24-7 on a field goal midway through the second quarter. But Phillip Rivers hit Trey Burton with a 10-yard score with just over 4 minutes remaining in the half, and the Colts pulled within 24-21 on a field goal at the break.

Blackmon and Indy's defense then held the Bengals without a second-half touchdown, and the Colts took their first lead on Rodrigo Blankenship's 40-yard field goal with 4:03 remaining that set up Blackmon's game-sealing interception.

"I definitely had a feeling that he would go back to the slot," Blackmon said of the last pick. "I think we're a team that can handle adversity, that can come back from anything.

"I'd say we're a fighting team."

After staring down the barrel of being .500 entering their bye week, the Colts emerge at 4-2 before the first off week of a season that has already been littered with schedule changes and roster juggling due to the coronavirus pandemic. For better or worse, Indianapolis is emerging as a second-half team, one that can't be counted out — no matter how big the early deficit.

And Blackmon is emerging as a second-half playmaker.

"It was big — really a great play," Colts coach Frank Reich said of Blackmon's pick. "I thought (Matt) Eberflus did a good job of dialing it up the last couple drives there just to put the guys in position, but obviously Julian made the play. Obviously, it's very early in his career, but he's showing signs of being a big-time playmaker, so that's really good for him and for us."

Former SUU cornerback LeShaun Sims totaled three tackles for the Bengals (1-4-1).

Here's how other former local high school and college football standouts performed in Week 6 of the 2020 NFL regular season. Leki Fotu, Kylie Fitts and the Cardinals will face Dalton Schultz and the Cowboys on Monday Night Football. Former BYU offensive lineman Andy Reid will also lead the Cougars' Daniel Sorensen, Utah State's Darwin Thompson and the Chiefs against Utah's Zack Moss and the Bills on Monday night.

San Francisco 24, LA Rams 16

Former BYU linebacker Fred Warner tied for the team-lead with seven tackles as the 49ers held off a late spurt from the Rams on Sunday Night Football.

Former Utah punter Mitch Wishnowsky punted five times for 235 yards — an average of 47.0 yards per punt, with two kicks downed inside the 20 — for the Niners, who held the Rams to 311 yards on 57 plays and 4-of-12 on third downs.

Former Utah safety Terrell Burgess played sparingly off the bench for Los Angeles (4-2).

Chicago 23, Carolina 16

Former Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson continued to impress with three tackles and two pass breakups in the Bears' win over the Panthers.

Johnson set up Tashaun Gipson's interception in the first quarter with a pass breakup that helped Chicago improve to 5-1. Four plays later, Nick Foles hit Cole Kmet with a 9-yard touchdown strike.

Weber High grad and former Utah State standout Patrick Scales played nine snaps at long snapper for the Bears.

NY Giants 20, Washington 19

Starting at linebacker, former Utah State standout Kyler Fackrell had three tackles, a sack, three quarterback hurries and forced a fumble to help the Giants (1-5) hold off the Football Team.

Jared Norris played sparingly for Washington (1-5), while fellow Utah alums Nate Orchard and Alex Smith did not play in the loss.

Pittsburgh 38, Cleveland 7

Former BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki had two tackles and added another on special teams, and former Salem Hills quarterback Porter Gustin added a stop for the Browns (4-2) in a loss to the undefeated Steelers.

Baltimore 30, Philadelphia 28

Former Stansbury and Weber State guard Sua Opeta rotated on the offensive line in the latest loss for the Eagles (1-4-1).

Miami 24, NY Jets 0

Former Utah cornerback Eric Rowe had a team-high nine tackles in the Dolphins' first shutout victory since Nov. 2, 2014.

Rowe, who had seven solo stops, also added two pass breakups for Miami (2-3), which was playing without former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy.

Former BYU and Bingham High linebacker Harvey Langi made two special-teams tackles for the Jets (0-5), the only winless team in the NFL who also got a special-teams tackle from ex-Utes defensive back Javelin Guidry.

Denver 18, New England 12

Starting wide receiver Tim Patrick, a University of Utah alum, had a game-high four catches for 101 yards in the Broncos' win over the Patriots (2-3).

Patrick briefly left the game after a 35-yard grab, but later returned for Denver, which also started fellow Utah product Garret Bolles at left tackle.

Detroit 34, Jacksonville 16

Utah graduate John Penisini had a defensive tackle, and former SUU safety Miles Killebrew made two special-teams stops to help the Lions (2-3) top the Jaguars.

Tampa Bay 38, Green Bay 10

Former BYU all-time leading rusher Jamaal Williams had a team-high 34 yards on four carries in the Packers' first loss of the season to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers (4-2).

Aaron Rodgers completed just 16-of-35 passes for 160 yards with two interceptions for the Packers (4-1), who did not activate former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love.

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