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SMU Stars Shine In NFL Week 8 As Rice Scores, Sutton Wins Showdown
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- SMU Stars Shine In NFL Week 8 As Rice Scores, Sutton Wins Showdown
(Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
Former SMU football stars Rashee Rice and Courtland Sutton took center stage in one of the NFL's most entertaining games Sunday, while several other former Mustangs contributed across the league during Week 8.
The biggest storyline for SMU fans came in Denver, where Sutton's Broncos rallied for a dramatic 28-24 victory over Rice and the Kansas City Chiefs in a battle between AFC West rivals.
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Rice delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, catching seven passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.
The former SMU standout hauled in an 11-yard scoring pass from Patrick Mahomes in the first quarter, giving Kansas City an early advantage.
Rice caught seven of his eight targets, providing Mahomes with a dependable option throughout the afternoon.
But Sutton got the last laugh.
The veteran Denver receiver caught all four of his targets for 53 yards, including a 23-yard reception, as the Broncos overcame an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit.
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Denver scored 15 unanswered points in the final period, with Jonah Coleman's five-yard touchdown run providing the winning margin.
For Sutton, the victory carried significant divisional implications. Denver improved to 6-2, while Kansas City fell to 5-2.
Elsewhere, former Mustang defensive lineman Elijah Roberts contributed to one of Sunday's most impressive defensive performances.
Roberts recorded three tackles, including two solo stops, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shut out the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 in rainy conditions.
The second-year defensive end has continued earning opportunities in Tampa Bay's defensive rotation, and Sunday's victory offered another encouraging result.
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Veteran punter Thomas Morstead also returned to action for the Tennessee Titans after recently joining the organization.
Morstead punted three times for 134 yards, averaging 44.7 yards per attempt in Tennessee's wild 43-36 overtime loss to Cincinnati.
His longest punt traveled 48 yards, and he placed one inside the Bengals' 20-yard line.
At 40, the former SMU standout continues extending an NFL career that began in 2009.
Tennessee tight end Kylen Granson was also part of the Titans' Week 8 roster, although he didn't record a reception.
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Grant Calcaterra likewise finished without a reception during a disappointing 27-10 loss to Washington.
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Calcaterra recently returned from injured reserve after dealing with a back injury.
Baltimore Ravens rookie tight end Matthew Hibner was another former Mustang on an NFL roster Sunday as Baltimore fell 36-10 to Buffalo.
For SMU fans, Sunday's action provided plenty to follow, particularly the head-to-head meeting between Rice and Sutton.
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One former Mustang scored a touchdown. The other celebrated an important divisional victory.
Both demonstrated why SMU continues to have a meaningful presence in professional football.
