SAN DIEGO – One former Aztec scored a touchdown while another made his MLB postseason debut and a third placed in the top 15 in a golf tournament.
In the NFL, New York Giants rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger (2018-21) started, caught multiple passes and surpassed 20 receiving yards for the third consecutive week. Late in the second quarter, Bellinger took his first career rush for a 2-yard touchdown on a double reverse. It was his second touchdown of the season (and career). He also caught two of his three targets for 22 yards. Bellinger caught passes of 11 yards in the first and third quarters. He saw action on 45 snaps on offense and one on special teams in the win in London. The Giants play host to Baltimore on Sunday.
Seattle running back Rashaad Penny (2014-17) got out to a good start against New Orleans, one of the best rushing defenses in the league. He rushed eight times for 54 yards (6.8 avg.). Penny broke off a 32-yard carry late in the first quarter to set up a field goal. He was on the field for 15 offensive snaps. Early in the second half, however, Penny went down with an injury and was carted back to the locker room. Later, the team announced that he had suffered a fractured fibula and high ankle sprain and will miss the remainder of the 2022 season. Penny finishes his season with 57 carries for 346 yards (6.1 avg.) and two touchdowns, and four catches on five targets for 15 yards in five starts.
Atlanta cornerback Darren Hall (2018-20) played for five snaps on defense and another five on special teams. The Falcons host San Francisco in Week Six. Arizona rookie defensive lineman Cameron Thomas (2019-21) set a career high with three tackles while appearing in 10 defensive snaps against Philadelphia. His teammate, long snapper Aaron Brewer (2008-11), was on the field for nine snaps on special teams. The Cardinals head to Seattle next week. San Francisco offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (2013-16) was on the field for the majority of the time that the 49ers offense was on the field. He played 34 snaps on offense and seven on special teams. Next week, the 49ers head to Atlanta to face Darren Hall and the Falcons.
Pittsburgh safety Damontae Kazee (2013-16) and New York Jets fullback Nick Bawden (2014, 16-17) are on injured reserve. Miami linebacker Calvin Munson (2013-16) was released from his team's injured reserve, allowing him to play this season if he signs with a team. Munson had been ineligible to return off Miami's injured reserve. Former Aztecs on practice squads are offensive lineman Zachary Thomas (2017-21) on Chicago, linebacker Segun Olubi (2020-21) on Indianapolis, defensive back Trenton Thompson (2016, 18-21) 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.
In the MLB, infielder Ty France (2013-15) started two of Seattle's final three regular season games at first base. In those games, he batted .333 with a .400 on-base percentage, two RBIs and a run scored. In the regular season finale, France laced a walk-off single in the ninth to win Seattle's 90th game of the season. This season, France batted .276 with a .340 on-base percentage, 65 runs scored, 84 RBIs and 20 homers. The Mariners earned the second wild card spot in the American League and headed to Toronto for the AL Wild Card Series. In Seattle's sweep of Toronto, France started both games at first base. He singled in each game, coming around to score in Game Two. In the ALDS, Seattle faces Houston in a best-of-five series starting on Tuesday night. Catcher Seby Zavala (2012-15) missed the final two games of the season with a concussion. This season, Zavala batted .270, with a .347 on-base percentage, 22 runs scored, 21 RBIs and two home runs. Pittsburgh outfielder Greg Allen's (2012-14) season stats are a .186 batting average, a .260 on-base percentage, eight RBIs, 17 runs scored, two home runs, and eight stolen bases. Houston infielder David Hensley (2015-18) came off the bench twice in the final two games. He had two plate appearances and reached in both thanks to a walk and a triple. Hensley scored once. In his first MLB season, he batted .345, with a .441 on-base percentage, five RBIs, seven runs scored, and a homer. The Astros battle France's Mariners in the ALDS, starting Tuesday night. Colorado infielder Alan Trejo (2015-17) finished the season batting .271, with a .312 on-base percentage, 17 RBIs, 15 runs scored and four homers. Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg (2007-09) was only able to pitch in one game this season due to injury. In 4.2 innings, he struck out five and took the loss while allowing seven earned runs and eight hits.
On the PGA Tour, J.J. Spaun (2009-12) tied for 15th in the Shriners Children's Open at 15-under-par while Scott Piercy (1999-2001) did not make the cut. Xander Schauffele (2013-15) is ranked sixth in the world while Spaun ranks 47th and Piercy ranks 60th in the FedEx Cup. This weekend, Spaun and Schauffele will compete in the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP in Chiba, Japan.