SAN DIEGO -- The NFL season came to an end for a number of former Aztecs, while several continue on into the playoffs.
In the NFL, running back Rashaad Penny (2014-17) started and rushed 23 times for a career-high 190 yards (8.3 avg. and a touchdown in a win over Arizona. Penny, who played 43 snaps on offense, had a 20-yard burst up the middle early in the first quarter to help set up Seattle's first touchdown. Penny set up another touchdown with a 29-yard scamper through the line and down the right sideline in the third. He put the game on ice with a 62-yard touchdown where he ran up the middle and around several defenders with a burst of speed to give Seattle a two-possession lead late in the fourth quarter. He has more yards after contact over the last five weeks than any other player has rushing yards during that stretch. Penny became the second back in Seahawks history to rush for 130 yards in three consecutive games and the first to rush for 170 yards or more in consecutive games. Penny started in six of his 10 appearances in his fourth season, rushing 119 times for a team-high 749 yards (6.3 avg., 0.8 higher than the No. 2 player in Dallas' Tony Pollard) and six touchdowns (all career highs). Penny caught six of eight targets for an additional 48 yards (8.0 avg).
Safety Damontae Kazee (2013-16) started and was on the field for 47 defensive and nine special teams snaps in Dallas' blowout win over Philadelphia. Kazee made seven tackles (five solo) in the game. He finished his fifth regular season with 52 tackles (35 solo), a pair of interceptions, four passes defensed and two forced fumbles in 17 games (15 starts). Dallas hosts San Francisco in the Wild Card round at 1:30 p.m. PT Sunday.
Offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (2013-16) started for San Francisco and played all 70 snaps on offense and five snaps on special teams in an overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams to clinch a playoff spot. In his third season of action, Brunskill started all 17 games for San Francisco and was on the field for all but five offensive snaps this season (in a 49er blowout win over Jacksonville). He also made a pair of solo tackles against Seattle in Week 13. Brunskill's 49ers will face Kazee's Cowboys on Sunday. Offensive lineman Keith Ismael (2017-19) started and was on the field for all 59 snaps on offense for Washington in a dominant victory over the New York Giants. In his second season, Ismael started five of his 10 appearances and played every offensive snap in each of his starts.
Cornerback Darren Hall (2018-20) played for 16 defensive snaps and seven special teams snaps for Atlanta. Hall recorded a pair of solo tackles and broke up a pass. Hall finishes his rookie season with 27 tackles (21 solo), 1.0 sack and three passes defensed in 14 games, starting once. Linebacker Calvin Munson (2013-16) played six snaps on special teams in Miami's win over New England. He appeared in nine games between New England and Miami in his fourth season of action. Munson made 11 tackles (seven solo), including a tackle for loss.
Fullback Nick Bawden (2014-17) saw action in nine snaps on offense and 26 snaps on special teams for the New York Jets. He started one of his nine games in his second season of action. Back in week 11, Bawden caught his lone target of the season for 20 yards. Long snapper Aaron Brewer (2008-11) appeared for 10 snaps on special teams for Arizona while making a solo tackle for the second consecutive week. In his 10th NFL season, Brewer played in 14 games, recording the two solo tackles. Arizona will play in Los Angeles against the Rams on Monday night.
Tight end David Wells (2014-17) was on the field for three snaps on offense for Arizona. Wells started one of his three appearances in his his first season playing snaps. The Cardinals face the Rams on Monday. Tight end Kahale Warring (2016-18) did not play in Jacksonville's win over Indianapolis that eliminated the Colts from the playoffs. After making his NFL debut last season, Warring appeared in a game each for Buffalo and Jacksonville.
Offensive lineman Jacob Capra (2019-20) is on Buffalo's practice squad. The Bills host New England on Saturday night. Defensive lineman Alex Barrett (2013-16) and cornerback Luq Barcoo (2018-19) are on San Francisco's practice squad. The 49ers face Dallas to start the playoffs. Rookie safety Dwayne Johnson Jr. (2018-20) is on the New York Giants' practice squad and also spent part of the season on Atlanta's.
In the NBA, guard Malachi Flynn (2020) appeared in a pair of games for Toronto. Flynn picked up an assist against San Antonio last Tuesday. On the season, he is averaging 2.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.4 steals, and 0.1 blocks. Forward Jalen McDaniels (2018-19) appeared in three games for Charlotte. McDaniels averaged 5.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.7 steals. So far this season, he is averaging 6.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. Guard Jordan Schakel (2018-21) returned to the G League. Forward Kawhi Leonard (2010-11) is on the Los Angeles Clippers, but is sitting out while recovering from a Torn ACL suffered during last season's playoffs.
On the PGA Tour, Xander Schauffele (2013-15) finished 12th in the Sentry Tournament of Champions, at 22-under-par. He is ranked seventh in the world. J.J. Spaun (2009-12) and Scott Piercy (1999-2001) will compete in the Sony Open in Hawai'i, in Honolulu, Hawai'i, this weekend.