SAN DIEGO -- A pair of former Aztecs made their NFL debuts along with an additional trio who also played in the first week of the season.
In the NFL, Seattle running back Rashaad Penny (2014-17) was a major part of his team's offense in a huge Monday night win over their former quarterback, Russell Wilson, and the Denver Broncos. Penny started for the Seahawks and rushed 12 times for 60 yards (5.0 avg.) while catching two of his three targets for an additional seven yards. He led Seattle inside Denver's 10-yard-line late in the first quarter, but the Seahawks went away from him in short yardage situations on third and fourth downs, and turned the ball over on downs. In the second quarter, Penny broke off a 26-yard rush to bring the ball inside the Denver 3-0. He also had additional long gains called back on penalties. Penny played on 38 offensive snaps for Seattle. The Seahawks head to San Francisco in Week 2.
New York Giants rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger (2018-21) made his NFL debut and drew the start in Tennessee. He saw action on 29 snaps on offense. The Giants host Carolina on Sunday. San Francisco offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (2013-16) missed the first game with a hamstring injury. He will try to return for a matchup against Penny and the Seahawks. Arizona rookie defensive lineman Cameron Thomas (2019-21) also made his NFL debut. Thomas made a tackle in four defensive snaps. His teammate, long snapper Aaron Brewer (2008-11), was on the field for six snaps against Kansas City. The Cardinals are in Las Vegas next week. Atlanta cornerback Darren Hall (2018-20) played two snaps on defense and 11 snaps on special teams. The Falcons travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams in the second week.
Pittsburgh safety Damontae Kazee (2013-16), New York Jets fullback Nick Bawden (2014-17), and Miami linebacker Calvin Munson (2013-16) are on injured reserve. Former Aztecs on practice squads include offensive lineman Zachary Thomas (2017-21) on Chicago, linebacker Segun Olubi (2020-21) on Indianapolis, defensive back Trenton Thompson (2016-21) on the New York Giants, offensive lineman William Dunkle (2019-21) on Pittsburgh, and defensive lineman Alex Barrett (2013-16), safety Tayler Hawkins (2017-21) and center Keith Ismael (2018-20) on San Francisco.
In the MLB, infielder Ty France (2013-15) appeared in all five games for Seattle with four starts at first base. Last week, he had three hits with an RBI and two runs scored. On the season, France is batting .275 with a .340 on-base percentage, 52 runs scored, 71 RBIs and 18 homers. Catcher Seby Zavala (2012-15) started for the Chicago White Sox in three games and came off the bench once. He collected a pair of doubles and scored three times. So far this season, Zavala is batting .274, with a .349 on-base percentage, 20 runs scored, 20 RBIs, and two home runs. Pittsburgh outfielder Greg Allen (2012-14) started two games in the outfield and came off the bench twice. He collected four hits in his first six at-bats of the week with a stolen base, a homer, and two additional runs scored. Allen homered in the ninth inning on Sunday off elite closer Ryan Helsley, raising Helsley's season ERA from 1.12 to 1.26 and bringing the Pirates within one. This season, Allen is batting .208 with a .286 on-base percentage, 15 runs scored, seven RBIs, two homers and eight stolen bases. Houston infielder David Hensley (2015-18) came off the bench and walked on Friday night. This season, he is batting .353 with a .421 on-base percentage, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Since his call-up last week, Colorado infielder Alan Trejo (2015-17) appeared in seven games, drawing six starts at shortstop. Last week, he batted .318 with a .400 on-base percentage, three RBIs, a home run, and three runs scored. Trejo launched a two-run homer in Wednesday's 8-4 win over Milwaukee. On the season, he is batting .262 with a .308 on-base percentage, nine RBIs, nine runs scored and a pair of homers. Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg (2007-09) is on the 60-Day IL and is not expected to return this season.
On the PGA Tour, J.J. Spaun (2009-12) and Scott Piercy (1999-2001) will compete in the Fortinet Championship in Napa, California.