Former BYU LB Takitaki, Ex-Salem Hills Star Gustin Help Browns Win First Playoff Game Since 1995
Jan 9, 2021, 9:43 PM | Updated: Jan 10, 2021, 10:16 pm
Sione Takitaki #44 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates an interception with teammates during the second half of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 10, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki and former Salem Hills High standout Porter Gustin each snagged interceptions to help the Cleveland Browns win their first postseason game since 1995.
The Browns beat the Steelers, 48-37.
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Here is how all of the players with ties to the state of Utah fared during Super Wild Card Weekend.
Former Utah Utes
Tyler Huntley – Quarterback– Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
The former Utah quarterback and the Ravens defeated the Tennessee Titans, 20-13.
Next Game: @ Buffalo Bills on Saturday, January 16 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on KSL TV
Playoff victory No. 1️⃣ for @Ravens QB @lj_era8. #RavensFlock #BALvsTEN #NFL #SuperWildCard https://t.co/M1Fhw7rTa5
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 10, 2021
Zack Moss – Running Back – Buffalo Bills (14-3)
The former Utah running back had seven carries for 21 yards and four catches for 26 yards in Buffalo’s 27-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Moss left the AFC Wild Card game early due to an ankle injury.
Next Game: vs. Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, January 16 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on KSL TV
.@PresMoss2 was carted off the field with an ankle injury during the @BuffaloBills’ win over the @Colts.#LocalsInTheNFL #YACPodcast #BillsMafia #INDvsBUF #NFL #GoUtes #SuperWildCard https://t.co/0cjwv1izLn
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 10, 2021
Jaylon Johnson – Cornerback – Chicago Bears (8-9)
The former Utes cornerback was listed as inactive for the Bears’ game against the New Orleans Saints. The Bears suffered a 21-9 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Next Game: None
No Jaylon Johnson against the Saints today. #LocalsInTheNFL #YACPodcast #SuperWildCard #NFL @kslsports https://t.co/nstn5b5413
— Kyle Ireland 😷 (@kyleireland) January 10, 2021
Brian Allen – Cornerback – Cleveland Browns (12-5)
The former Utah defensive back and the Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 48-37.
Next Game: @ Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 17 at 1:05 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
It was the @Browns’ first postseason win since New Year’s Day 1995. #Browns #NFL #SuperWildCard #CLEvsPIT https://t.co/9EJXcByxxV
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2021
Julian Blackmon – Safety – Indianapolis Colts (11-6)
The former Utah defensive back had five total tackles in the Colts’ 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Next Game: None
🥺What an amazing season man.
— Julian Blackmon (@JumpManJu32) January 9, 2021
Terrell Burgess – Safety – Los Angeles Rams (11-6)
The former Utes defensive back is out for the season after suffering a broken ankle on Monday Night Football during Week 7 of the season. The Rams defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 30-20.
Next Game: @ Green Bay Packers on Saturday, January 16 at 2:35 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
Cam Akers and the @RamsNFL upset the @Seahawks with a 10-point road win.#RamsHouse #LAvsSEA #NFL #SuperWildCard https://t.co/8hOIM0Qe7J
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 10, 2021
Matt Gay – Kicker – Los Angeles Rams (11-6)
The former Utes place kicker made three field goals during the Rams’ 30-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Next Game: @ Green Bay Packers on Saturday, January 16 at 2:35 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
MG is 3 for 3!
Rams 23, Seahawks 13 | @SoFi pic.twitter.com/6dl8CBXgx8
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 10, 2021
Chase Hansen – Linebacker – New Orleans Saints (13-4)
The former Utes defensive back had one tackle in the Saints’ 21-9 win over the Chicago Bears.
Next Game: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, January 17 at 4:40 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
Marcus Williams – Safety – New Orleans Saints (13-4)
The former Utes defensive back had three tackles in the Saints’ 21-9 win over the Chicago Bears.
Next Game: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, January 17 at 4:40 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
.@drewbrees completed 28 of 39 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns in the @Saints’ win over the @ChicagoBears. #SuperWildCard #CHIvsNO #Saints #NFL https://t.co/Xuh8pjWLER
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2021
Cody Barton – Linebacker – Seattle Seahawks (12-5)
The former Utes linebacker had one tackle in Seattle’s 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Next Game: None
Marquise Blair – Safety – Seattle Seahawks (12-5)
After week two, the former Utah safety was ruled out for the season with a knee injury by Seattle head coach Pete Carroll. Seattle suffered a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Next Game: None
Alex Smith – Quarterback – Washington Football Team (7-10)
The former Utah quarterback was inactive for Washington’s 31-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Next Game: None
The former @Utah_Football quarterback said he would "take a few weeks” before deciding on his future in the NFL. #LocalsInTheNFL #YACPodcast #WashingtonFootball #NFL #GoUtes https://t.co/ivYJYKMVpD
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2021
Jared Norris – Linebacker – Washington Football Team (7-10)
The former Utes linebacker and Washington suffered a 31-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Next Game: None
Former BYU Cougars
Sione Takitaki – Linebacker – Cleveland Browns (12-5)
The former BYU linebacker had three total tackles, two solo tackles, one pass breakup, and a game-sealing interception in Cleveland’s 48-37 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Next Game: @ Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 17 at 1:05 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
.@STakitaki FTW. 🤩 #LocalsInTheNFL #YACPodcast #Browns #NFL #SuperWildCard #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/Cl9jQrBHMZ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2021
Jamaal Williams – Running Back – Green Bay Packers (13-3)
The former BYU running back and the Packers earned the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye in the postseason.
Next Game: vs. Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, January 16 at 2:35 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
The road to the Super Bowl goes through Lambeau Field. ❄️#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/SX4LwTQW5E
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 4, 2021
Daniel Sorensen – Safety – Kansas City Chiefs (14-2)
The former BYU defensive back and the Chiefs earned the top seed in the AFC and a first-round bye in the postseason.
Next Game: vs. Cleveland Browns on Sunday, January 17 at 1:05 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
"Everybody is chasing that same dream." #RunItBack pic.twitter.com/pNFyaJbdzG
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 9, 2021
Taysom Hill – Quarterback – New Orleans Saints (13-4)
The former BYU quarterback had four carries for 15 yards and two catches for five yards in the Saints’ 21-9 win over the Chicago Bears. Hill was also sacked once and had a fumble.
Next Game: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, January 17 at 4:40 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
Taysom Hill = Power RB 💪
📺 @FOXDeportes#Saints #NFLEspañol pic.twitter.com/38ismgrl9O
— NFL en Español (@NFLEspanol) January 10, 2021
Former Utah State Aggies
Patrick Scales – Long Snapper – Chicago Bears (8-9)
The former Aggie and the Bears suffered a 21-9 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Next Game: None
Jordan Love – Quarterback – Green Bay Packers (13-3)
The former Utah State quarterback and the Packers earned the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye in the postseason.
Next Game: vs. Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, January 16 at 2:35 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
Darwin Thompson – Running Back – Kansas City Chiefs (14-2)
The former Aggie running back and the Chiefs earned the top seed in the AFC and a first-round bye in the postseason.
Next Game: vs. Cleveland Browns on Sunday, January 17 at 1:05 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
JoJo Natson – Wide Receiver – Cleveland Browns (12-5)
After week three, the former Utah State receiver was ruled out for the season with an injury. The Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 48-37.
Next Game: @ Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 17 at 1:05 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
Bobby Wagner – Linebacker – Seattle Seahawks (12-5)
The former Utah State linebacker had 16 total tackles, 11 solo tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit in Seattle’s 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Wagner suffered an injury and exited the game before ultimately returning and finishing the contest.
Next Game: None
Bobby Wagner is headed to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/52OK1IqzdO
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 9, 2021
Former Weber State Wildcats
Taron Johnson – Cornerback – Buffalo Bills (14-3)
The former Weber State defensive back had six total tackles, five solo tackles, and a tackle for loss in Buffalo’s 27-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Next Game: vs. Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, January 16 at 6:15 p.m. (MDT) on KSL TV
The @BuffaloBills picked up their first postseason win since 1995.#NFL #SuperWildCard #BillsMafia #INDvsBUF https://t.co/3J5vRvIHWS
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 9, 2021
Former High School Players
Porter Gustin (Salem Hills/USC) – Defensive End – Cleveland Browns (12-5)
The former Salem Hills star had a pass breakup and an interception in Cleveland’s 48-37 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Next Game: @ Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 17 at 1:05 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
Former @shhsskyhawks star @PorterGustin is making plays in the postseason on @SNFonNBC. 💪 #LocalsInTheNFL #YACPodcast #Browns #SNF #SuperWildCard #NFL https://t.co/JXsQyfMKih
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 11, 2021
Noah Togiai (Hunter/Oregon State) – Tight End – Indianapolis Colts (11-6)
The former Hunter star was inactive for the Colts’ 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Next Game: None
Kaden Elliss (Judge Memorial/Idaho) – Linebacker – New Orleans Saints (13-4)
The former Judge Memorial star and the Saints defeated the Chicago Bears, 21-9.
Next Game: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, January 17 at 4:40 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
Bryan Mone (Highland/Michigan) – Defensive Tackle – Seattle Seahawks (12-5)
The former Highland star had one tackle in Seattle’s 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Next Game: None
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
