Locals in the NFL: Why Puka Nacua couldn't wait to call home about 1st career TD

AROUND THE SHIELD — Puka Nacua's introduction to the NFL has been nothing short of record-setting, and at times, outright sensational.

But through the first three games of the Los Angeles Rams rookie's regular-season debut, he's lacked one thing: a touchdown to go with the most catches by a rookie in league history.

He picked a great time to break in his first.

Nacua caught nine passes for 163 yards Sunday afternoon, including a 22-yard touchdown in overtime from Matthew Stafford to help Los Angeles hold off the Indianapolis Colts 29-23 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

"It was like a game you keep pausing when you lose, so you make sure you can get the right play at the very end," said Nacua, an Orem High product and Utah high school football record holder in virtually every receiving category. "I can't wait to call my mom and my siblings about it. … I think I was screaming for 10 minutes straight out there."

The Rams (2-2) jumped out to a 23-0 lead before Anthony Richardson led the Colts back, scoring three straight touchdowns, including a 5-yard strike with 1:56 remaining to tie up the game on a 2-point conversion to Michael Pittman.

"It was a super fun game, kind of crazy. But coach McVay mentioned after the game, this was what we had been preparing for," Nacua said. "We've been waiting for a game where we could play all four quarters … and we were able to come out with the win in overtime. I don't think it was our most complete four quarters, but we're getting closer and closer. You come out with the win, that's the most exciting part."

The former BYU receiver has the most receptions by a rookie through four games in NFL history, and he's only the second receiver all-time with 100 or more receiving yards in at least three of his first four games — the Bears' Harlon Hill was the first in 1954.

His 501 receiving yards are the most by an NFL player in their first four career games, and his 39 receptions also broke Reggie Bush's record for most receptions (34) in their first five NFL games, set in 2006.

So when Stafford looked over the middle of the field on third-and-4 at the 22-yard line, he didn't think twice about where to put the football.

"I've had enough extra football at that point," Stafford said from the postgame podium. "Just happy that he (Nacua) made the play and got it in so we didn't have to keep playing."

Rams coach Sean McVay, who presented Nacua with the game ball for offense in the locker room, summed it up even better.

"I can say enough about Puka Nacua, and I can't say enough about Matthew Stafford," McVay said. "There's nothing you can say but wow, holy (expletive). I mean, he was great."

Here are a few other highlights from former Utah high school and college football players in Week 4 of the 2023 NFL regular season:

• Former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson threw for 245 and two touchdowns in the Jets' 23-20 loss the Kansas City Chiefs, and outplayed Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes for much of the game. But the Corner Canyon product also committed a crucial fumble that led to Harrison Butker's game-winning 26-yard field goal in the fourth quarter as Kansas City moved to 2-0 with Taylor Swift in attendance.
• Former Utah, Snow College and Westlake High offensive tackle Garett Bolles started at left tackle as the Broncos rallied from a 28-7 deficit with 24-unanswered points for their first win, 31-28 over the Chicago Bears.
• Former Utah State receiver Deven Thompkins caught four passes for 45 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers improve to 3-1 with a 26-9 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Here's a look around the league at the rest of Week 4:

Monday Night Football

Seattle 24, NY Giants 3

Seahawks (3-1)

• Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Starting middle linebacker posted team-high 17 tackles, two of the Seahawks' 11 sacks on defense.

Giants (1-3)

• No locals on the active roster.

Sunday Night Football

Kansas City 23, NY Jets 20

Chiefs (3-1)

• No locals on the active roster, but coached by former BYU offensive lineman and graduate assistant Andy Reid.

Jets (1-3)

• Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon: Starting quarterback completed 28-of-39 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns with two sacks taken and a fumble.

Sunday Afternoon

Jacksonville 23, Atlanta 7

Jaguars (2-2)

• Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: Inactive for Week 4.

Falcons (2-2)

• Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU: Reserve tailback ran for 16 yards on seven carries, caught one pass for a 4-yard loss on offense.
• Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Inactive for Week 4.
• Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial (via Idaho): Starting linebacker had four tackles and a quarterback hurry on defense.

Buffalo 48, Miami 20

Bills (3-1)

• Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah: Reserve tight end caught four passes for 27 yards on offense.
• Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Starting cornerback made four tackles, defended a pass and forced a fumble on defense.

Dolphins (3-1)

• Chris Brooks, RB, BYU: Reserve running back also played on special teams.

Minnesota 21, Carolina 13

Vikings (1-3)

• Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU/Granger: Inactive for Week 4.
• Jaren Hall, QB, BYU/Maple Mountain: Inactive for Week 4.

Panthers (0-4)

• No locals on the active roster.

Denver 31, Chicago 28

Broncos (1-3)

• Garett Bolles, OT, Utah/Snow/Westlake: Started at left tackle on offense.

Bears (0-4)

• Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: Inactive for Week 4.
• Patrick Scales, LS, Utah State/Weber: Played six snaps on special teams.
• Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah/Murray: Placed on injured reserve this week (neck).
• Noah Sewell, LB, Orem (via Oregon): Reserve linebacker also played on special teams.

Baltimore 28, Cleveland 3

Ravens (3-1)

• Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah: Reserve quarterback ran twice for 8 yards on offense.
• Marcus Williams, FS, Utah: Inactive for Week 4.
• Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Reserve linebacker had a quarterback hurry and a pass defended on defense.

Browns (2-2)

• Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU: Reserve linebacker had five tackles and a tackle for loss on defense.
• Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah: Reserve linebacker made one tackle on special teams.
• Siaki Ika, DT, East (via Baylor): Inactive for Week 4.

Houston 30, Pittsburgh 6

Texans (2-2)

• Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham (via Stanford): Reserve tight end caught three passes for 42 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, on offense.

Steelers (2-2)

• Jaylen Warren, RB, Utah State/Snow/East (via Oklahoma State): Reserve running back ran for 29 yards on eight carries, caught team-high six passes for 26 yards with a fumble on offense.
• Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Reserve safety made one tackle on special teams.

LA Rams 29, Indianapolis 23 (OT)

Rams (2-2)

• Puka Nacua, WR, BYU/Orem: Starting wide receiver caught game-high nine passes for 163 yards, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime, and recovered a fumble on offense.
• Jonah Williams, DE, Weber State: Starting defensive end made four tackles on defense.

Colts (2-2)

• Julian Blackmon, S, Utah/Layton: Starting strong safety made nine tackles on defense.
• Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem: Kicked one point-after touchdown and five kickoffs on special teams.
• Zack Moss, RB, Utah: Starting running back ran for 70 yards on 18 carries and caught a two-point conversion on offense.
• Blake Freeland, OT, BYU/Herriman: Started at left tackle.

Tampa Bay 26, New Orleans 9

Buccaneers (3-1)

• Deven Thompkins, WR, Utah State: Reserve receiver caught four passes for 45 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, and ran once for 11 yards on offense.

Saints (2-2)

• Nephi Sewell, LB, Utah/Desert Hills: Reserve linebacker also played on special teams.
• Rashid Shaheed, WR/RS, Weber State: Reserve receiver caught three passes for 33 yards on offense; returned two punts for 45 yards and a fair catch; and returned two kickoffs for 39 yards on special teams.
• Taysom Hill, TE, BYU: Started at wide receiver and caught one pass for seven yards, ran four times for 10 yards on offense.

Philadelphia 34, Washington 31

Eagles (4-0)

• Sua Opeta, OG, Weber State/Stansbury: Reserve guard also played on special teams.
• Britain Covey, RS, Utah/Timpview: Reserve receiver returned three punts for 38 yards with a fair catch on special teams.

Commanders (2-2)

• Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton: Starting middle linebacker totaled nine tackles on defense.
• Tyler Larsen, OC, Utah State/Jordan: Reserve center also played on special teams.

Tennessee 27, Cincinnati 3

Titans (2-2)

• No locals on the active roster.

Bengals (1-3)

• Jalen Davis, CB, Utah State: Reserve cornerback recovered a fumble on special teams.
• Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham (via USC): Reserve defensive lineman made two tackles on defense.

LA Chargers 24, Las Vegas 17

Chargers (2-2)

• Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Starting cornerback made eight tackles on defense.
• Alohi Gilman, S, Orem (via Notre Dame): Inactive for Week 4.

Raiders (1-3)

• Andre James, OC, Herriman (via UCLA): Started at center on offense.

San Francisco 35, Arizona 16

49ers (4-0)

• Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker posted team-high 10 tackles on defense.
• Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah: Punted one time for 45 yards, downed inside the 20, on special teams.

Cardinals (1-3)

• Leki Fotu, DT, Utah/Herriman: Starting nose tackle had four stops on defense.

Dallas 38, New England 3

Cowboys (3-1)

• No locals on the active roster.

Patriots (1-3)

• No locals on the active roster.

Thursday Night Football

Detroit 34, Green Bay 20

Lions (3-1)

• Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills (via Oregon): Starting right tackle played all 75 snaps on offense, seven more on special teams.

Packers (2-2)

• Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Starting quarterback completed 23-of-36 passes for 246 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions with five sacks taken on offense.
• Zayne Anderson, S, BYU/Stansbury: Inactive for Week 4.
• Dallin Leavitt, S, Utah State/BYU: Reserve safety played 28 snaps on special teams.

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