LOGAN, Utah, Nov. 23, 2023 (Gephardt Daily) — Former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love carved up the Detroit Lions’ defense Thursday, throwing for three touchdowns and leading the Green Bay Packers to a 29-22 Thanksgiving victory.
Love, who played the best game of his three-year NFL career in Week 11, continued his hot streak with a huge game in Detroit, completing 22 of 32 passes for 268 yards and gaining another 39 yards on three rushing attempts — including a career-long 37-yard scramble to convert a big third down in the fourth quarter.
Love got the party started with a 53-yard completion to Christian Watson on the Packers’ first offensive play, and Green Bay (5-6) started fast with a pair of TDs on its opening two possessions. Following a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown from Packers safety Jonathan Owens, Green Bay led 20-6 in the first quarter.
Love has now thrown for three touchdowns in a game three times this season. He opened the season with back-to-back three-TD games in Weeks 1 and 2.
Green Bay’s defense also stopped Detroit (8-3) four times on fourth down, including on a fake punt.
In all, nine pros who played college or high school football in Utah were in action on Thanksgiving. Here’s a look at how other Utahns in the NFL fared on the field:
BYU
Zayne Anderson, CB, Green Bay Packers
The former BYU and Stansbury High School star was active for the Packers’ road victory.
Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Warner made six tackles (three solo) in the 49ers’ 31-13 victory over the NFC West rival Seahawks on Thursday night.
Injured reserve
Dax Milne, WR, Washington Commanders
Utah
Cody Barton, LB, Washington Commanders
Returning from injury and playing for the first time since Week 7, the former Utah and Brighton High School star finished tied for a team-high six tackles (four solo) and a tackle for a loss in the Commanders’ 45-10 loss to the Cowboys.
Terrell Burgess, S, Washington Commanders
Burgess was active vs. Dallas.
Mitch Wishnowsky, P, San Francisco 49ers
Wishnowsky punted five times for 199 yards (39.9 yards per punt), including a 51-yard punt and three landing inside the 20-yard line vs. the Seahawks.
Injured reserve
- Braeden Daniels, OL, Washington Commanders
Utah State
Tyler Larsen, C, Washington Commanders
The USU and Jordan High School alumnus started at center vs. the Cowboys.
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
Read about Love’s red-hot holiday performance in the story above.
Bobby Wagner, LB, Seattle Seahawks
Wagner made eight tackles (four solo) and had two QB hits in the Seahawks’ 31-13 loss to the 49ers on Thursday night.
Utah high schools
Penei Sewell, OL, Detroit Lions
The former Desert Hills High School standout started at right tackle as the Lions fell to 8-3.
Injured reserve/physically unable to perform
- Cameron Latu, TE, San Francisco 49ers (Olympus High School)
- Bryan Mone, DL, Seattle Seahawks (Highland High School)
