Aggies in the NFL: Week 4
Have you ever seen a tumbleweed roll past in a desert town? They do not make much noise.
I am certain you might be able to hear one of them over the sound of our Utah State University Aggie alumni making plays in the National Football League. As we wrap up the fourth week of pro football, the crop from Bridgerland have yet to make any waves in 2019. Multiple former USU players are suiting up yet going silent on the stat sheet.
Bobby Wagner continues to tackle all things, and Nick Vigil might be earning his name in the papers again, but it was a quiet weekend for the rest.
We hope it changes soon (reminder that Nevin Lawson is active starting next week), but in the meantime, here is how some of our pro-level Aggies performed in Week 4 of the NFL season.
Maurice Alexander: Linebacker, Buffalo Bills
Alexander did not show up on the stat sheet for the Bills, as they lost to the New England Patriots, 16-10, but he played at backup linebacker.
Kyler Fackrell: Linebacker, Green Bay Packers
Fackrell played backup at the middle linebacker spot for the Packers in their 34-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Uncharacteristically, he did not record any tackles or stats.
Tyler Larsen: Center, Carolina Panthers
Larsen backed up at center for the Panthers in a win over the Houston Texans, 16-10. Despite winning, the overall performance of the offensive line left much to be desired as the rush offense averaged 3.4 yards per carry, and backup quarterback Kyle Allen was sacked three times.
Dallin Leavitt: Safety, Oakland Raiders
Leavitt suited up on special teams for the Raiders as they beat the Indianapolis Colts, 31-24. The rookie defender tackled the Colts’ kick returner behind the 25-yard line to start the second half.
Donald Penn: Offensive Tackle, Washington Redskins
It’s 2017 again! Penn filled in at starting left tackle for the Washington Redskins as Trent Williams was listed as out. It was Penn’s first start since his time as a Raider. He and the rest of the offensive line, however, were owned by the Giants’ defense as the ‘Skins lost 24-3. On offense, Washington only netted 176 total yards, allowed three sacks, and threw four interceptions.
Patrick Scales: Long Snapper, Chicago Bears
Scales snapped five punts for the Bears in their win over the Minnesota Vikings, 16-6.
Nick Vigil: Linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals
🚨 FUMBLE
Nick Vigil punches it out! 👊#CINvsPIT
(via @NFL)
— PFF (@PFF) October 1, 2019
Despite the Bengals looking like a hot mess in their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-3, Vigil had an impressive showing. The starting linebacker led the defense in tackles with 11 total, eight of them solo tackles, and had two tackles for a loss. Vigil burst through on a third-down play when the Steelers were inside the Bengals’ 10-yard line and dragged down the ball carrier for a loss of five yards, forcing a short field goal in the second quarter.
In the fourth quarter on the Steelers’ final scoring drive, Vigil netted another stop for a loss of two early in the drive. He then delivered again with a stop on third down for a loss of four yards, forcing another field goal.
Bobby Wagner: Linebacker, Seattle Seahawks
For the second consecutive week, Wagner led the Seattle defense in total tackles with 11 as they easily beat the Arizona Cardinals, 27-10. The veteran linebacker made a third-down stop on consecutive offensive possessions by Arizona, the first of which was a combined tackle alongside Ezekiel Ansah. Let that be one of as few times as possible that Wagner teams up with a former BYU Cougar for anything.
Wagner also nearly forced a fumble late in the second half on the Cards’ lone touchdown drive, but the officials ruled the runner down and upheld the ruling after review.
Come back next week and see how all your favorite former-Aggie players fared in the big leagues!