BYU Football: Pro Tracker, NFL Week 1

Week one of NFL action was a relatively quiet one for BYU alumn around the league, but with a couple notable exceptions.  Uani Unga (New York Giants) made the most of his first NFL start with a game leading 12 tackles, as well as a pass deflection and an interception in a close loss to the Cowboys.  Ziggy Ansah had an Ansah-esque game with two tackles, a sack and a stuff in Detroit’s loss to San Diego.  Also noteworthy is that Alani Fua (Arizona) recorded his first tackle as a member of special teams in his first pro game.  All stats for former Cougs are outlined below.

Stat Lines (alphabetical)

• Ziggy Ansah (DE, Detroit Lions, 3^rd season). Ansah started the season just as he left off last season as the leader of the Detroit defense.  In Detroits 33-28 loss to San Diego he had two solo tackles, one sack, and one “stuff” (TFL). Season Stats (1 game): 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 STF.
• John Denney (LS, Miami Dolphins, 11^th season). Denney (age 36) is the longest tenured player on the Dolphin’s roster but continues to start at deep snapper.  Miami won their season opener 17-10 over the Washington Redskins.
• Alani Fua (LB, Arizona Cardinals, UDFA rookie). Fua made his first NFL tackle as a member of special teams in punt coverage during Arizona’s 31-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
• Dennis Pitta (TE, Baltimore Ravens, 6^th season). Pitta is currently on the injured list (hip) and did not play in Baltimore’s 19-13 loss to the Denver Broncos.
• Dallas Reynolds (G, New York Giants, 4^th season). Recorded no statistics in New York’s 27-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
• Daniel Sorenson (DB, Kansas City Chiefs, 2^nd season). Recorded no statistics in Kansas City’s 27-20 victory over the Houston Texans.
• Uani (Devin) Unga (LB, New York Giants, 2^nd season). Unga made the most of his first NFL start (New York’s 27-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys), filling in for the injured Jon Beason.  He played all 71 defensive snaps and had a monster game, recording ten solo tackles, two assisted tackles, one interception (returned one yard), and one pass deflection.  His 12 total tackles led both teams.  It’s also pretty groovy that the star of the week is still reppin’ BYU on his Twitter profile picture.  Give him a follow @UaniUnga. Season stats (1 game): 10 SOLO, 2 AST, 1 PD, 1 INT.
• Kyle Van Noy (LB, Detroit Lions, 2^nd season).  KVN had a quiet opening to his season, recording no statistics in Detroit’s 33-28 loss to the San Diego Chargers.