On Monday Night Football, the Detroit Lions took on the NFC-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The contest was predicted to be a high-scoring affair featuring two of the NFL’s top offenses. Instead, the Lions’ injury-depleted defense roared back with a tremendous show of strength to defeat the Buccaneers by a score of 24-9.
Three former UFL stars played a big role in the Lions’ Monday night victory. However, the player making the biggest impact was a young defender appearing in his first game for Detroit.
Nick Whiteside, Detroit Lions cornerback (St. Louis Battlehawks)
A native of Auburn Hills, MI, former St. Louis Battlehawks cornerback Nick Whiteside undoubtedly had plenty of family and friends in the crowd cheering him on last night. They watched as he brilliantly defended an end zone pass, broke up two other passes, and contributed two solo tackles. Whiteside’s impressive debut could not have come at a better time for the Lions.
Jacob Saylors, Detroit Lions running back (St. Louis Battlehawks)
Two-time All-UFL Team running back Jacob Saylors has carved out a nice niche as a kick returner for the Lions. Saylors continues to excel, averaging 26 yards per carry this season on 14 returns for 364 yards. Monday night, he had two kickoff returns for a total of 54 yards and averaged 28 yards per carry. Saylors also contributed one solo tackle Monday night.
Jake Bates, Detroit Lions kicker (UFL Michigan Panthers)
Former Michigan Panthers star kicker, Jake Bates, experienced a rare missed field goal attempt on Monday night but made up for it later in the game with a clutch 58-yard kick. His earlier kick was from 54 yards and sailed wide of the goal post. Bates breathed a visible sigh of relief when the 58-yarder hit the goal post but went in cleanly. He also connected on three of three extra points.
The Detroit Lions are now sitting comfortably atop the NFC North division with a 5-2 record and have their much-needed bye week ahead.
Several other teams featured UFL and former spring football players who made an impact this week. Throughout the season, these talented athletes continue to step up for their NFL teams.
Andre Szmyt, Cleveland Browns kicker (St. Louis Battlehawks)
The 2-5 Cleveland Browns won their second game of the season against the highly dysfunctional 1-6 Miami Dolphins. Although both teams struggled this season, the Browns finally appear to be headed in the right direction with their decisive 31-6 victory.
Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins and former Battlehawks kicker Andre Szmyt lit up the scoreboard with Judkins rushing for three touchdowns and Szmyt converting a 30-yard field goal and four extra points. His season record includes 10 of 12 field goals with a 55-yarder as his longest, and 11 of 12 extra points.
Rex Sunahara, (San Antonio Brahmas), Cleveland Browns long snapper
Former Brahmas long snapper Rex Sunahara is in his second year with Cleveland. Sunday’s victory was a nice change of pace for Sunahara, who was busy snapping the ball for field goals and extra points rather than punts.
Jalen Redmond, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle (Arlington Renegades)
Jalen Redmond, the former Arlington (Dallas) Renegades DT, is in his second year with Minnesota. In Week 4, he had a huge game for the Vikings, sacking Aaron Rodgers twice.
On Sunday, the 3-3 Vikings were on the losing end of a 28-22 score to the 5-2 Philadelphia Eagles. However, Redmond had another big game for Minnesota. He finished with four total tackles, two solo, one TFL, and the biggest defensive play of the game, a huge stop on Saquon Barkley that forced a field goal attempt and Jake Elliot’s first miss this season.
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys kicker (USFL Birmingham Stallions)
In a 44-22 victory over the Washington Commanders, the Dallas Cowboys’ two-time Pro-Bowl kicker Brandon Aubrey had another perfect outing. Delivering his fifth 60-plus-yard field goal this season, Aubrey easily converted a 61-yard field goal. Capping off the afternoon, he added a 47-yard field goal, a 29-yard field goal, and five of five extra points.
KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver (USFL New Jersey Generals)
After missing two games this past month, suffering from a foot injury, two-time Pro Bowl return specialist KaVontae Turpin was eager to return to action. Turpin exploded for a 30-yard kickoff return for the Cowboys’ first possession that resulted in a touchdown and began the Cowboys’ scoring avalanche.
After the Commanders got a taste of Turpin’s proficiency as a return specialist, he was denied another return when Washington responded with a perfectly placed punt. The Commanders’ special teams unit covered brilliantly to swoop in and place the ball on the one-yard line. That effort gave the Commanders their first points from a safety.
Later in the game, Turpin had a 17-yard reception.
Dondrea Tillman, Denver Broncos linebacker (Birmingham Stallions)
Dondrea Tillman, the former Birmingham Stallions‘ OLB, had three tackles (one solo) and a sack in one of the most improbable fourth-quarter comebacks in NFL history. The 5-2 Broncos overcame a huge point-deficit late in the game to emerge with a 33-32 victory over the 2-5 New York Giants. All 33 points came in the 4th quarter. Second-year quarterback Bo Nix led the team with four scores (two passing TDs and two rushing TDs) to tilt the score in favor of the Broncos. A late-game interception by Justin Strnad sealed the victory for Denver.
Daniel Whelan, Green Bay Packers punter (D.C. Defenders)
The 4-1-1 Green Bay Packers remain atop the NFC North division with an impressive come-from-behind 27-23 win over the 2-5 Arizona Cardinals. Former D.C. Defenders punter Daniel Whelan had only three punts for 174 yards with an average of 58 yards. One punt was returned for 13 yards.
Lucas Havrisik-Green Bay Packers kicker (San Antonio Brahmas)
Former San Antonio Brahmas kicker Lucas Havrisik appeared in only his second game for the 3-1 Green Bay Packers. Filling in for injured kicker Brandon McManus, Havrisik is making the most of this NFL opportunity. On Sunday, he kicked a 61-yard field goal just as the clock expired for halftime. His stunning conversion set a new franchise record for the Packers. Earlier in the game, Havrisik kicked a 31-yard field goal.
Jashaun Corbin, New England Patriots running back (San Antonio Brahmas)
Running back Jashaun Corbin, a recent UFL signee from the San Antonio Brahmas, remained on the Patriots’ practice squad this week.
Adrian Martinez, San Francisco 49ers quarterback (Birmingham Stallions)
Former UFL League MVP and Birmingham Stallions quarterback Adrian Martinez was on the roster as the backup to Mac Jones, but didn’t play a single snap. Nonetheless, the 49ers pulled off another impressive 20-10 victory on Sunday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons. Even without several of their star players, San Francisco is 5-2 and tied with the Los Angeles Rams for first place in the highly competitive NFC West division.
Parker Romo, Atlanta Falcons kicker (XFL San Antonio Brahmas)
On Sunday night, former San Antonio Brahmas kicker Parker Romo had a relatively quiet game. He converted one 38-yard field goal and one extra point in the Falcons’ 20-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Next week, the 3-3 Falcons will have an opportunity to regain their winning form when they host the 1-6 Miami Dolphins.
LaCale London, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle (XFL St. Louis Battlehawks)
Former St. Louis Battlehawks DL LaCale London was ruled inactive on Sunday night for the 49ers game.
Check back here to find out which spring football stars make the biggest impact in NFL Week 8.
