SAN DIEGO – All five NFL teams that played former Aztecs this week ended up winning their games.
In the NFL, Seattle running back Rashaad Penny (2014-17) started again and dominated with a heavy workload in the Seahawks' win over Detroit. He rushed 17 times for a league-high 151 yards (8.9 avg.) and a pair of touchdowns, and was named a finalist for Week 4's FedEx Ground Player of the Week Award. Penny also caught his only target for six yards, while playing 48 snaps. Reminiscent of former Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch, Penny seemed to get stronger as the game went on. He opened up the second half with a 26-yard rush up the middle and cut to the outside. On Seattle's final drive of the third quarter, Penny had a 15-yard carry to help get Seattle into field goal range before making a defender miss on a 36-yard touchdown sprint to the end zone on third-and-16 to give the Seahawks a 38-23 lead. After the Lions shrunk their deficit to a field goal with just a couple of minutes remaining in the game, Penny went around to the right and beat the entire Detroit defense to the end zone on a 41-yard jaunt. After another Lions touchdown returned the Seattle lead to just three points, Penny put the team on his back and fought to pick up a first down to clinch the victory. It was the fifth game in Penny's career in which he has been given 16 carries or more. Penny ranks in the top 12 in the NFL in rushing yards this season. The Seahawks will head to New Orleans for a matchup with the Saints in Week Five.
New York Giants rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger (2018-21) started and led his team in receiving yards for the second consecutive week. He caught all three of his targets for 23 yards in a game that saw both quarterbacks on New York's roster go down with injuries. On just the second drive of the game, Bellinger caught passes of nine and 11 yards to help set up a Daniel Jones rushing touchdown. He saw action on 39 snaps on offense in the win. The Giants head to Green Bay on Sunday. Atlanta cornerback Darren Hall (2018-20) made a pair of tackles (one solo) while playing 15 snaps on defense and six on special teams in a close win over Cleveland. The Falcons go to Tampa Bay to play the Buccaneers in Week Five. Arizona rookie defensive lineman Cameron Thomas (2019-21) assisted on a tackle while appearing on nine defensive snaps in a win over Carolina. His teammate, long snapper Aaron Brewer (2008-11), was on the field for seven snaps on special teams. The Cardinals host Philadelphia next week. San Francisco offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (2013-16) made his season debut on Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams. He was on the field for 21 snaps on offense and three on special teams. Next week, the 49ers head to Carolina.
Pittsburgh safety Damontae Kazee (2013-16), New York Jets fullback Nick Bawden (2014, 16-17) 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, 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 all six games for Seattle with two starts coming at third base and four at first base. This week, he batted .292 with a .346 on-base percentage, an RBI and three runs scored. France doubled in a run in Saturday's 2-1 win to help Seattle clinch a playoff spot for the first time in 21 seasons. On Sunday, France singled with two outs in the sixth to break up Oakland ace James Kaprielian's no hitter. On the season, France is batting .275 with a .339 on-base percentage, 64 runs scored, 82 RBIs and 20 homers. The Mariners finish the season against Detroit and are expecting to head to Toronto for the AL Wild Card Series. Catcher Seby Zavala (2012-15) was placed on the 7-Day Concussion IL. This season, Zavala is batting .270, with a .347 on-base percentage, 22 runs scored, 21 RBIs and two home runs. The White Sox finish the season at home against Minnesota. Pittsburgh outfielder Greg Allen (2012-14) was designated for assignment. His 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 three times to play second base. He stepped to the plate three times last Tuesday and knocked an RBI single in the fifth inning before demolishing a two-run shot to right for his first big league homer in the sixth. This season, he is batting .296, with a .387 on-base percentage, five RBIs and six runs scored. The Astros host Tampa Bay to finish the regular season before facing the winner of Seattle and Toronto in the ALDS. Colorado infielder Alan Trejo (2015-17) started four of his five games, with one start at third and three at second. This week, he batted .294, with two RBIs, two runs scored, and a homer. On Wednesday, Trejo went deep to right to bring Colorado within a run against San Francisco. On the season, he is batting .271, with a .312 on-base percentage, 16 RBIs, 15 runs scored and a quartet of homers. The Rockies finish their season in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg (2007-09) is on the 60-Day IL and is not expected to return this season.
On the PGA Tour, Scott Piercy (1999-2001) tied for 19th in the Sanderson Farms Championship at 10-under-par. Xander Schauffele (2013-15) is ranked fifth in the world and Piercy is tied for 41st in the FedEx Cup. Next weekend, Piercy and J.J. Spaun (2009-12) will compete in the Shriners Children's Open in Las Vegas, Nevada.