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The University of Utah Athletics
Utes in the NFL: Week 1 Review, Week 2 Preview
9/15/2020 11:32 AM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah football program was well represented in the first week of the 2020 NFL regular season as the former Utes put on a show for their respective teams, coming away key plays and many "firsts" for the Utah rookies.
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The Utes had six rookies earn playing time in week one with former All-American and second round draft pick Jaylon Johnson starting for the Chicago Bears. Johnson was the first Bears rookie to start at cornerback on opening day since Walt Harris in 1996 and the first non-first round draft pick for the Bears to start at CB in an opener since Mike Richardson in 1983.
In the Kyle Whittingham era at Utah, the Utes have had eight drafted rookies start in a season opener with Johnson joining Mitch Wishnowsky (San Francisco, 2019), Matt Gay (Tampa Bay, 2019), Marcus Williams (New Orleans, 2017), Garett Bolles (Denver, 2017), Jeremiah Poutasi (Tennessee, 2015), Star Lotulelei (Carolina, 2013) and Zane Beadles (Denver, 2010).
Johnson was outstanding in his professional debut, finishing the game with six tackles and two passes defended. The Fresno, Calif., native showed his speed and athleticism throughout the game, providing the tight coverage Utah fans are used to seeing from him, ending the game with a knockdown in the end zone with no time left on the clock to secure the Chicago win. Â
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Utah's former secondary had a stellar weekend with Williams and Marquise Blair coming away with big plays for the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, respectively.
Williams notched his 11th interception as a Pro Ute in New Orleans win over Tampa Bay, picking off Tom Brady in the second quarter and returning it for 17 yards to set up the Saints' second touchdown of the game. Blair racked up seven tackles in Seattle's win over Atlanta, also forcing a fumble in the third quarter on a fourth down attempt with the Seahawks regaining possession and scoring on their next drive.
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For the former Utes on the offensive side of the ball, rookie and All-American Zack Moss showed his versatility as a running back on Sunday in Buffalo's win over the Jets, scoring his first career touchdown as a pro. He finished with nine carries for 11 yards and three receptions for 16 yards, scoring on a four-yard catch in the first quarter.
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NFL Regular Season Week 1 Recap
Note: ST = Special Teams
As the Utes head into week two of the regular season, several former Utah athletes will go head to head again.
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How To Watch The Utes In NFL Week Two:
Note: All Times MT
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How about all those #ProUtes today ????
You love to see it.— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 14, 2020
The Utes had six rookies earn playing time in week one with former All-American and second round draft pick Jaylon Johnson starting for the Chicago Bears. Johnson was the first Bears rookie to start at cornerback on opening day since Walt Harris in 1996 and the first non-first round draft pick for the Bears to start at CB in an opener since Mike Richardson in 1983.
In the Kyle Whittingham era at Utah, the Utes have had eight drafted rookies start in a season opener with Johnson joining Mitch Wishnowsky (San Francisco, 2019), Matt Gay (Tampa Bay, 2019), Marcus Williams (New Orleans, 2017), Garett Bolles (Denver, 2017), Jeremiah Poutasi (Tennessee, 2015), Star Lotulelei (Carolina, 2013) and Zane Beadles (Denver, 2010).
Johnson was outstanding in his professional debut, finishing the game with six tackles and two passes defended. The Fresno, Calif., native showed his speed and athleticism throughout the game, providing the tight coverage Utah fans are used to seeing from him, ending the game with a knockdown in the end zone with no time left on the clock to secure the Chicago win. Â
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Wanna take another look at the final play? Us too.#CHIvsDET | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/YLNAPV4kMV— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 13, 2020
Utah's former secondary had a stellar weekend with Williams and Marquise Blair coming away with big plays for the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, respectively.
Williams notched his 11th interception as a Pro Ute in New Orleans win over Tampa Bay, picking off Tom Brady in the second quarter and returning it for 17 yards to set up the Saints' second touchdown of the game. Blair racked up seven tackles in Seattle's win over Atlanta, also forcing a fumble in the third quarter on a fourth down attempt with the Seahawks regaining possession and scoring on their next drive.
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JUMP MAN!??@MarcusWilliams with the huge INT off Tom Brady
??: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/0Q6Njysna5— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 13, 2020
For the former Utes on the offensive side of the ball, rookie and All-American Zack Moss showed his versatility as a running back on Sunday in Buffalo's win over the Jets, scoring his first career touchdown as a pro. He finished with nine carries for 11 yards and three receptions for 16 yards, scoring on a four-yard catch in the first quarter.
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Zack Moss' first career NFL reception and touchdown. A thing of beauty. #NYJvsBUF | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/xZ7LNZWNWg— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) September 13, 2020
NFL Regular Season Week 1 Recap
| Player, Team | Game | Result | Highlights |
| Bradlee Anae, Dallas | at L.A. Rams | L, 20-17 | Played on ST |
| Cody Barton, Seattle | at Atlanta | W, 38-25 | Played on ST, Sub at LB |
| Marquise Blair, Seattle | at Atlanta | W, 38-25 | 7 tackles, 1 FF |
| Garett Bolles, Denver | vs. Tennessee | L, 16-14 | Started at LT |
| Devontae Booker, Las Vegas | at Carolina | W, 34-30 | 4 rush, 29 yds; 3 rec, 23 yds |
| Terrell Burgess, L.A. Rams | vs. Dallas | W, 20-17 | Played on ST |
| Kylie Fitts, Arizona | at San Francisco | W, 24-20 | Played on ST, 1 tackle |
| Leki Fotu, Arizona | at San Francisco | W, 24-20 | Sub on DL |
| Chase Hansen, New Orleans | vs. Tampa Bay | W, 34-23 | Played on ST |
| Jaylon Johnson, Chicago | at Detroit | W, 27-23 | Started at CB; 6 tackles, 2 PD |
| Zack Moss, Buffalo | vs. New York Jets | W, 27-17 | 9 rush, 11 yds; 3 rec, 16 yds (1 TD) |
| Tim Patrick, Denver | vs. Tennessee | L, 16-14 | Started at WR; 4 rec, 29 yds |
| John Penisini, Detroit | vs. Chicago | L, 27-23 | Sub on DL |
| Eric Rowe, Miami | at New England | L, 21-11 | 5 tackles |
| Sam Tevi, L.A. Chargers | at Cincinnati | W, 16-13 | Started at LT |
| Marcus Williams, New Orleans | vs. Tampa Bay | W, 34-23 | Started at FS; 1 tackle, 1 INT, 1 PD |
| Mitch Wishnowsky, San Francisco | vs. Arizona | L, 24-20 | 4 punts, 178 yds (44.5), 3 IN20, 51 LG |
As the Utes head into week two of the regular season, several former Utah athletes will go head to head again.
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1-0? pic.twitter.com/RIk1jTVVJ7— Terrell Burgess (@TiTaniumT98) September 15, 2020
How To Watch The Utes In NFL Week Two:
| Day | Game | Time | TV | Utes To Watch |
| Sun., Sept. 20 | NY Giants at Chicago | 11 a.m. | CBS | #33 Jaylon Johnson (Chicago) |
| #72 Jackson Barton (NY Giants) | ||||
| Sun., Sept. 20 | Atlanta at Dallas | 11 a.m. | FOX | #56 Bradlee Anae (Dallas) |
| Sun., Sept. 20 | Detroit at Green Bay | 11 a.m. | FOX | #91 John Penisini (Detroit) |
| Sun., Sept. 20 | Minnesota at Indianapolis | 11 a.m. | FOX | #32 Julian Blackmon (Indianapolis) |
| Sun., Sept. 20 | Buffalo at Miami | 11 a.m. | CBS | #20 Zack Moss (Buffalo) |
| #21 Eric Rowe (Miami) | ||||
| Sun., Sept. 20 | San Francisco at NY Jets | 11 a.m. | FOX | #6 Mitch Wishnowsky (San Francisco) |
| Sun., Sept. 20 | L.A. Rams at Philadelphia | 11 a.m. | FOX | #26 Terrell Burgess (L.A. Rams) |
| Sun., Sept. 20 | Denver at Pittsburgh | 11 a.m. | CBS | #72 Garett Bolles (Denver) |
| #81 Tim Patrick (Denver) | ||||
| Sun., Sept. 20 | Washington at Arizona | 2:05 p.m. | FOX | #11 Alex Smith (Washington) |
| #95 Leki Fotu (Arizona) | ||||
| #49 Kylie Fitts (Arizona) | ||||
| Sun., Sept. 20 | Kansas City at L.A. Chargers | 2:25 p.m. | CBS | #69 Sam Tevi (L.A. Chargers) |
| Sun., Sept. 20 | New England at Seattle | 6:20 p.m. | NBC | #57 Cody Barton (Seattle) |
| #27 Marquise Blair (Seattle) | ||||
| Mon., Sept. 21 | New Orelans at Las Vegas | 6:15 p.m. | ESPN | #43 Marcus Williams (New Orleans) |
| #42 Chase Hansen (New Orleans) | ||||
| #23 Devontae Booker (Las Vegas) |
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