Cyclones in the NFL: Week 3 Recap

Three Cyclones scored touchdowns this weekend, while both Brock Purdy and Jalen Travis saw their teams move to 3-0 – an exclusive club as just six NFL squads remain unbeaten.

Will McDonald IV – #9, New York Jets (0-3)
McDonald had the play of the weekend for the Cyclones, showcasing his freakish athleticism. Though he was limited on defense, McDonald made a monster play when it mattered most. With TB attempting a 43-yard FG to go up nine with two minutes left, McDonald leapt the Buccaneer line and blocked the kick, picked it up, and ran it back for a go-ahead score.
Last Time Out: L at TB, 27-29 // 1 FG block returned for a touchdown
Up Next: Sept. 29, at Miami (6:15 pm on ESPN)

WILL MCDONALD PLAY OF THE YEAR‼️ pic.twitter.com/JXp4IWuNnD
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) September 21, 2025

David Montgomery – #5, Detroit Lions (2-1)
Montgomery was a workhorse on Monday night, churning out his best game as a pro. Montgomery's 151 rushing yards were a career high and are the third-most by a Cyclone in an NFL game. It was Montgomery's ninth time rushing for more than one score in an NFL game.
Last Time Out: W at BAL, 38-30 // 12 rushes for 151 yards and 2 TDs – 1 catch for 13 yards
Up Next: Sept. 28, vs. Cleveland (12 pm on FOX)

David Montgomery gets loose for 72!#DETvsBAL 📺 ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/tA1bOUMUXm
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 23, 2025

Allen Lazard – #10, New York Jets (0-3)
Lazard was featured in the Jets offense for the first time this season in Tampa, as the veteran collected a pair of catches and earned himself a touchdown. It was Lazard's eighth TD catch as a Jet.
Last Time Out: L at TB, 27-29 // 2 catches for 13 yards and 1 TD
Up Next: Sept. 29, at Miami (6:15 pm on ESPN)

Tyrod to Lazard! Jets pull within one score

NYJvsTB on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/Z8Tuig2f7e
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025

Darien Porter – #26, Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)
Porter had his most productive game of the season on Sunday, seeing his first defensive action in the NFL with 16 snaps. Between special teams and his defensive snaps, Porter tallied four tackles – the first of his career.
Last Time Out: L at WAS, 24-41 // 4 tackles, 38 total snaps
Up Next: Sept. 28, vs. Chicago (3:25 pm on CBS)

Enyi Uwazurike – #96, Denver Broncos (1-2)
Uwazurike had a productive afternoon against the Chargers, tallying four total tackles. His two solo tackles were a season-high.
Last Time Out: L at LAC, 20-23 // 4 tackles, 43 total snaps
Next Up: Sept. 29, vs. Cincinnati (7:15 pm on ABC)

T.J. Tampa – #27, Baltimore Ravens (1-2)
Tampa played five defensive snaps Monday night against the Lions, but left his mark on special teams. Tampa tallied three tackles against the Lions – a career high – all on special teams.
Last Time Out: L vs. DET, 30-38 // 3 tackles, 31 total snaps
Up Next: Sept. 28, at Kansas City (3:25 pm on CBS)

Breece Hall – #20, New York Jets (0-3)
Hall faced a tough task in week three, going up against Tampa Bay's stout run game. Of his nine rushing attempts, one went for 17 yards – a team high. Hall was tied for the second-most catches on the Jets on Sunday, as backup QB Tyrod Taylor looked to him frequently.
Last Time Out: L at TB, 27-29 // 9 carries, 21 yards // 4 catches, 31 yards
Up Next: Sept. 29, at Miami (6:15 pm on ESPN)

Charlie Kolar – #88, Baltimore Ravens (1-2)
For the first time this season, the Ravens offense targeted Kolar, who snagged a pair of passes – his first of the season. Kolar finished with 22 total yards receiving and a long of 15.
Last Time Out: L vs. DET, 30-38 // 2 catches, 22 yards
Up Next: Sept. 28, at Kansas City (3:25 pm on CBS)

Xavier Hutchinson – #19, Houston Texans (0-3)
Hutchinson was tied for the third-most receptions on the team over the weekend, hauling in three catches for a total of 16 yards. Each Cyclone receiver on the Texans saw their role drop slightly as Christian Kirk returned from injury.
Last Time Out: L at JAX, 10-17 // 3 catches, 16 yards
Next Up: Sept. 28, vs. Tennessee (12 pm on CBS)

Jaylin Noel – #14 – Houston Texans (0-3)
Noel continues to flash on special teams for the Texans, as the rookie totaled over 60 return yards for Houston. He's now up over 130 kickoff return yards and 90 punt return yards on the season.
Last Time Out: L at JAX, 10-17 // 1 catch, 4 yards & 64 return yards on four returns (53 on KO, 11 on PR)
Next Up: Sept. 28, vs. Tennessee (12 pm on CBS)

Jayden Higgins – #81, Houston Texans (0-3)
Higgins pulled in his only target of the day, gaining five yards. In total, he played 28 offensive snaps and has 65 receiving yards on the season.
Last Time Out: L at JAX, 10-17 // 1 catch, 5 yards
Next Up: Sept. 28, vs. Tennessee (12 pm on CBS)

Jake Hummel – #35, Baltimore Ravens (1-2)
Hummel played 26 special teams snaps against the Lions on Monday night, totaling one tackle, as he fell to former teammate David Montgomery and the Detroit Lions.
Last Time Out: L vs. DET, 30-38 // 1 tackle, 26 special teams snaps
Up Next: Sept. 28, at Kansas City (3:25 pm on CBS)

Jalen Travis – #75, Indianapolis Colts (3-0)
Like week one, Travis again saw time on offense in the Colts' jumbo packages. Travis also played in both PAT and FG units.
Last Time Out: W at TEN, 41-20 // 7 offensive snaps & 8 special teams snaps
Up Next: Sept. 28, at LAR (3:05 pm on FOX)

Brock Purdy (toe) and Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) again didn't see any action this week as they recover from injuries. Not only did Purdy's 49ers win this weekend, but a certain Cy-Hawk bet between teammates was paid off over the weekend.

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Players Mentioned

Jayden Higgins

Jaylin Noel

Darien Porter

Jalen Travis

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