Former BYU star linebacker Fred Warner made arguably the play of the day for San Francisco in its 26-21 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, an occurrance that’s become familiar to 49ers fans.
With San Francisco holding onto a slim 19-14 lead in the last few minutes of the third quarter, the Saints were driving behind quarterback Spencer Rattler.
On a second-and-4 play at the San Francisco 30, Rattler threw to running back Alvin Kamara, who struggled to catch the short pass cleanly but managed to pin it on his shoulder behind his helmet as 49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown went low for the tackle.
Warner flew in, though, and knocked the ball loose before Kamara was down, then recovered the fumble at the 49ers 32.
Initially, referees ruled Kamara was down before the fumble, but it was reversed upon review.
“Time just kind of slowed down and I was able to punch it out,” Warner said, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. “And I knew for a fact that he was still up. I did not tell (49ers head coach) Kyle (Shanahan). He makes decisions, but I knew for a fact they didn’t show it on the big screen for a reason.”
Instead of the Saints having a chance to capture the lead for the first time, the change in momentum allowed visiting San Francisco to build on its lead at Caesars Superdome.
On the ensuing possession, quarterback Mac Jones hit Jauan Jennings for a 42-yard touchdown five plays into the fourth quarter to give the 49ers a 26-14 advantage.
“That was the turning point in the game right there,” 49ers running back Brian Robinson said, according to 49ers Webzone. “Excellent play by him.”
Warner led San Francisco with 11 tackles in the game and also had a tackle for a loss and a pass deflection.
None of those other plays, though, carried as much weight as Warner’s forced fumble and recovery.
Forcing turnovers, part 2
Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton (Utah, Brighton High) also forced a turnover in the Titans’ 33-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. In the final minute before halftime, he undercut a Matthew Stafford pass and made an acrobatic interception near the sideline with 27 seconds until the break.
The turnover gave Tennessee possession at the Los Angeles 46 and it led to a Titans field goal on the last play of the half, giving Tennessee a 13-10 lead.
Another former Ute, Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (Utah), also had an interception in Sunday’s action. With 5:20 left in the Jaguars’ eventual 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, he stepped in front of a Jake Browning pass and returned the interception 22 yards to the Cincinnati 12-yard line.
It was the first interception of the season for Lloyd and the fifth of his career.
The touchdown club
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (BYU, Orem High) got the scoring going in the Rams’ 33-19 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Facing a fourth-and-1 on the team’s opening possession, Nacua took a handoff to his left, then got behind his blockers near the line of scrimmage before bursting through a hole and racing for a 45-yard touchdown run.
Speedy wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (Weber State) scored his first touchdown of the season when he caught a 3-yard score midway through the third quarter, a score that brought New Orleans within 15-16 against San Francisco. He finished the day with four receptions for 52 yards.
Another Saints wide receiver, Devaughn Vele (Utah), caught his first touchdown for New Orleans after being traded to the organization just before the start of the regular season. His 3-yard score on a slant pattern in the fourth quarter made it a 26-21 game, though the Saints would fall to the 49ers 26-21.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (BYU) scored the only touchdown of the night in a primetime matchup between the Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. His 5-yard touchdown run with 3:22 to play accounted for the final score in a 22-6 Atlanta win, as Allgeier ran for 76 yards.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (Utah State) had another solid day in leading the Packers past the Washington Commanders 27-18 on Thursday. In addition to throwing for 292 yards on 19 of 31 passing, he tossed his third and fourth touchdowns of the year.
That included a 5-yard connection with Romeo Doubs in the first quarter for the game’s first score.
Later, Love rolled out and found tight end Tucker Kraft for an 8-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to make it a 24-10 contest.
Team leaders
Linebacker Bobby Wagner (Utah State) had a team-leading 11 tackles — with three solo stops — for Washington in the Commanders’ 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He led the Commanders in tackles during Washington’s season opener and has 21 tackles on the season.
49ers linebacker Fred Warner (BYU) led his team in tackles again, this time coming up with 11 tackles, including seven solo, to go along with a forced fumble and fumble recovery, as well as a tackle for loss and a pass deflection in San Francisco’s 26-21 win over the Saints.
Pittsburgh Steelers starting running back Jaylen Warren (Utah State, Snow College, East High) had an electric outing as he accounted for 134 total yards. Not only did he lead Pittsburgh in rushing with 48 yards on 14 carries, he also had a team-best 86 receiving yards on four catches in a 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. That included a 65-yard reception for Warren that pushed Pittsburgh into the red zone in the third quarter.
In addition to the 45-yard touchdown run, Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (BYU, Orem High) had a team-high eight receptions for 91 yards in the 14-point Los Angeles win over Tennessee. That included back-to-back catches of 24 and 22 yards on a third-quarter drive that ended with a touchdown and gave Los Angeles the lead for good at 20-16.
Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop (Utah) tied for the team lead with five tackles (four solo) in the team’s 30-10 win over the New York Jets. Bishop also recorded his first sack as a pro, dropping Tyrod Taylor for a 10-yard loss in the fourth quarter. He also had a QB hurry.
Another Utah tie who suits up for Buffalo, tight end Dalton Kincaid (Utah), led the Bills with four receptions in the win. He was targeted six times and had 47 receiving yards.
Notables
Sione Takitaki (BYU) signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad this past Thursday. The 30-year-old linebacker who’s in his seventh NFL season became a free agent this offseason after playing for the New England Patriots last year.
With Washington punter Tress Way dealing with an injury, the Commanders signed punter Mitch Wishnowsky (Utah) to the team’s practice squad last week. He was elevated to the active roster, then was inactive when Way was good to go. Wishnowsky was then waived by Washington following the Thursday night game. He previously played six seasons for the San Francisco 49ers.
Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (BYU) left the Baltimore Ravens’ 41-17 win over the Cleveland Browns with a hamstring injury early in the second quarter and didn’t return. Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh said it wasn’t a season-ending injury, according to the team website.
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (Utah), who missed Week 1 due to injury, started for the Bears in their 52-21 loss to the Detroit Lions, but he exited in the second quarter with a groin injury and did not return.
New Orleans officially placed safety Julian Blackmon (Utah, Layton High) on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He was injured during the Saints’ season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals and had his first season in New Orleans cut short.