SAN DIEGO -- One former Aztec put up a career high in receiving while another hit a walkoff and a third scored the clinching point for his team.
In the NFL, New York Giants rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger (2018-21) may have been the last former Aztec to play this week, but his numbers were as good as anyone else. Bellinger started and set career highs in targets, receptions and receiving yards while posting more receiving yards than stars Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, George Kittle, Jerry Jeudy and Christian McCaffrey, among others, on the week. In addition to making several key blocks for New York, he caught four of his five targets for 40 yards. Bellinger got off to an early start, catching an 8-yard pass on the opening drive and following it up with a 20-yard catch and run. He paced the Giants in receptions and receiving yards in the first half. Bellinger caught 6-yard passes in the second and third quarters that set up scoring plays by Graham Gano and Saquon Barkley before being overthrown by Daniel Jones on the opening play of the final quarter. He saw action on 43 snaps on offense. The Giants host Chicago on Sunday.
Seattle running back Rashaad Penny (2014-17) started again and was the featured back for the Seahawks offense. Penny rushed nine times for 66 yards (4.7 avg.) and caught his lone target for three more yards. He played on 49 offensive snaps. Penny started and closed the game playing well. His first three carries to open the game went for 35 yards. On Seattle's final drive, the team was looking for a game-winning touchdown. Penny converted on a fourth down to midfield and then had a nice catch and run to set Seattle up inside the 10-yard line, but the latter play was called back due to a penalty. Penny was the first running back to rush for 50 yards against the Atlanta defense this season. The Seahawks will head to Detroit to play the Lions in Week Four.
Atlanta cornerback Darren Hall (2018-20) played five snaps on special teams in the win over Penny and Seattle. The Falcons host the Cleveland Browns in Week Four. Arizona rookie defensive lineman Cameron Thomas (2019-21) assisted on a tackle while appearing on three defensive snaps and a special teams snap against Arizona. His teammate, long snapper Aaron Brewer (2008-11), made two solo tackles and was on the field for eight snaps on special teams. The Cardinals head to Carolina next week. San Francisco offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (2013-16) missed Week Three with a hamstring injury. He has extra time to try to return for a home game on Monday night, against the Los Angeles Rams. 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 are offensive lineman Zachary Thomas (2017-21) on Chicago, linebacker Segun Olubi (2020-21) on Indianapolis, safety Trenton Thompson (2016, 2018-21) on the New York Giants, offensive lineman William Dunkle (2019-21) on Pittsburgh and offensive lineman Keith Ismael (2017-19), defensive lineman Alex Barrett (2013-16) and safety Tayler Hawkins (2017-21) on San Francisco. Barrett was named San Francisco's scout team defensive player of the week.
In the MLB, infielder Ty France (2013-15) started all six games for Seattle with four starts coming at third base, one at first base, and one at designated hitter. Last week, he batted .320 with a .379 on-base percentage, four RBIs and four runs scored. France got hotter as the week went on, driving in a run in a one-run victory on Saturday and knocking a two-run single on Sunday. On the season, France is batting .274 with a .339 on-base percentage, 61 runs scored, 81 RBIs and 20 homers. Catcher Seby Zavala (2012-15) started for the Chicago White Sox in two games and came off the bench once. Last week, he singled, doubled, walked, and scored. So far this season, Zavala is batting .270, with a .347 on-base percentage, 22 runs scored, 21 RBIs and two home runs. Pittsburgh outfielder Greg Allen (2012-14) started two games in left field and came off the bench as a pinch runner. He drove in a run and scored. This season, Allen is batting .186 with a .260 on-base percentage, 17 runs scored, eight RBIs, two homers and eight stolen bases. Allen was designated for assignment on Monday. Houston infielder David Hensley (2015-18) came off the bench twice to play second base. This season, he is batting .250, with a .367 on-base percentage, two RBIs and four runs scored. Colorado infielder Alan Trejo (2015-17) started all six games, split between shortstop and second base. Last week, he batted .261, with a .320 on-base percentage, an RBI and two runs scored. Trejo came through in the clutch on Friday night, knocking a walk-off single off Adrian Morejon to beat the San Diego Padres in the tenth inning. On the season, he is batting .267, with a .315 on-base percentage, 14 RBIs, 13 runs scored and a trio of homers. Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg (2008-09) is on the 60-Day IL and is not expected to return this season.
On the PGA Tour, Xander Schauffele (2013-15) had a big Presidents Cup for Team USA. Schauffele went 3-1 and scored the clinching point. He teamed up with Patrick Cantlay to beat Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama in the first round. They beat Matsuyama again and Tom Kim in the second round before losing to Kim and Si Woo Kim. Schauffele beat Corey Conners on Sunday to clinch an American victory. He is also ranked fifth in the world. Next weekend, Scott Piercy (1999-2001) will compete in the Sanderson Farms Championship in Jackson, Mississippi.