NFL Notebook: Seven From Sunday Afternoon

(Photo by Zach Tarrant/Houston Texans)

From the National Football League

A look at seven statistical highlights from games played on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 24, the third week of the 2023 season.

In Week 3, two teams advanced to 3-0: MIAMI and SAN FRANCISCO. 

The MIAMI DOLPHINS recorded 726 total yards of offense in their 70-20 victory over Denver in Week 3 and became the fourth team in NFL history, including the postseason, to score at least 70 points in a game and the first in 57 years, joining CHICAGO (73 points in the 1940 NFL Championship on December 8, 1940), WASHINGTON (72 points on November 27, 1966) and the LOS ANGELES RAMS (70 points on October 22, 1950).

The Dolphins are the second team in NFL history, including the postseason, to record at least 700 yards of total offense in a single game, joining the LOS ANGELES RAMS on September 28, 1951 (735 yards of offense).

Miami has recorded 1,651 total yards of offense this season and surpassed the 2011 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1,621 yards of offense) for the most-ever by a team through its first three games of a season.

The Dolphins have scored 130 points so far this season and surpassed the 2013 DENVER BRONCOS (127 points) and 1966 DALLAS COWBOYS (127) for the second-most ever by a team through its first three games of a season. Only the 1968 DALLAS COWBOYS (132 points) had more.

For the 11th time in NFL history and third time in the past six seasons (2018, 2021 and 2023), a game has gone to overtime in each of the first three weeks of the season. The INDIANAPOLIS COLTS defeated Baltimore, 22-19, in overtime as MATT GAY became the first kicker in NFL history to convert four field goals of 50-plus yards in the same game.

Gay is the fifth kicker ever to convert a game-tying 50-yard field goal in the final two minutes of regulation and kick a game-winning 50-yard field goal in overtime, joining MATT BRYANT (September 7, 2014), MATT PRATER (December 11, 2011), MIKE VANDERJAGT (November 24, 2002) and GREG ZUERLEIN (December 2, 2012). Gay kicked the game-tying 53-yard field goal with 57 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the game-winning 53-yard field goal with 1:09 left in overtime in Week 3.

The GREEN BAY PACKERS trailed 17-0 entering the fourth quarter and defeated New Orleans, 18-17, in Week 3. They are the third team since 2000 to be shutout through three quarters and overcome a deficit of 17-or-more points in the fourth quarter to win, joining the CAROLINA PANTHERS on October 21, 2018 (at Philadelphia) and TENNESSEE TITANS on November 26, 2006 (vs. the New York Giants).

With three games remaining in Week 3, seven games have been within one score (eight points) in the fourth quarter and three teams – Green Bay, Indianapolis and the LOS ANGELES CHARGERS – came back to win after trailing in the fourth quarter.

Miami rookie running back DE'VON ACHANE totaled 233 scrimmage yards (203 rushing, 30 receiving) and four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving) while running back RAHEEM MOSTERT totaled 142 scrimmage yards (82 rushing, 60 receiving) and four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) in the Dolphins' Week 3 win.

Achane and Mostert are the second pair of teammates in NFL history to each score four touchdowns in the same game, joining Kansas City's DERRICK BLAYLOCK and PRIEST HOLMES (four touchdowns each) on October 24, 2004.

Achane is the second player in NFL history with at least 200 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and two touchdown receptions in a single game, joining BILLY CANNON (216 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns and two touchdown receptions on December 10, 1961).

Kansas City quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES passed for 272 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a 127.3 rating in the Chiefs' 41-10 win over Chicago.

Mahomes has 25,044 passing yards in 83 career games and became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 25,000 career passing yards, surpassing MATTHEW STAFFORD, who reached the mark in 90 games.

Head coach ANDY REID recorded his 271st career win, including the playoffs, and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer TOM LANDRY (270 total wins) for the fourth-most wins by a head coach, including the postseason, in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers DON SHULA (347) and GEORGE HALAS (324) as well as New England head coach BILL BELICHICK (330) have more.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback JUSTIN HERBERT completed 40 of 47 pass attempts (85.1 percent) for 405 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a 123.8 rating while wide receiver KEENAN ALLEN registered 18 receptions for 215 yards and threw a 49-yard touchdown pass in the team's 28-24 win at Minnesota.

Herbert has 15,028 passing yards in 52 career games and surpassed MATTHEW STAFFORD (53 games) as the second-fastest player ever to reach 15,000 career passing yards. Only PATRICK MAHOMES (49 games) reached the milestone quicker.

Herbert has 100 touchdown passes in 52 career games and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHNNY UNITAS (53 games) and DESHAUN WATSON (53) as the fourth-fastest player ever to reach 100 career touchdown passes. Only PATRICK MAHOMES (40 games) and Pro Football Hall of Famers DAN MARINO (44) and KURT WARNER (50) reached the mark in fewer games.

Herbert has 1,406 career completions and surpassed Ryan Tannehill (1,392 completions) for the most completions by a player in his first four seasons.

Allen's 18 receptions are tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer TOM FEARS (December 3, 1950), BRANDON MARSHALL (September 14, 2008) and JASON WITTEN (October 28, 2012) for the third-most receptions in a regular-season game in NFL history. Only Marshall (21 receptions on December 13, 2009) and Pro Football Hall of Famer TERRELL OWENS (20 receptions on December 17, 2000) had more.

Allen, who had 16 receptions in Week 11 of the 2020 season and 15 receptions on Kickoff Weekend in 2015, is the first player in NFL history with three career games with at least 15 receptions in NFL history.

Allen is the fourth player in NFL history with at least 10 receptions and a touchdown pass in a single game, joining TARIK COHEN (December 2, 2018), Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE (December 24, 1995) and JAMES WILDER (December 2, 1984).

Houston rookie quarterback C.J. STROUD passed for 280 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 118.8 rating, rookie defensive end WILL ANDERSON blocked a field goal and fullback ANDREW BECK returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown in the Texans' 37-17 win at Jacksonville.

Stroud has 906 passing yards in his first three career starts and is the third player in NFL history with at least 900 passing yards in his first three career games, joining CAM NEWTON (1,012 passing yards in 2011) and JUSTIN HERBERT (931 in 2020).

The Texans are the first team with a blocked field goal and kickoff-return for a touchdown in the same game since the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS on October 4, 2010.

Detroit rookie tight end SAM LAPORTA had eight receptions for 84 yards and one touchdown in the Lions' 20-6 win over Atlanta.

LaPorta, who had five receptions in both Week 1 and Week 2, is the first rookie tight end in NFL history with at least five receptions in each of his first three career games.

LaPorta has 18 receptions this season and surpassed KEITH JACKSON (17 receptions in 1988) for the most receptions by a tight end in their first three career games in NFL history.

Minnesota quarterback KIRK COUSINS passed for 367 yards and three touchdowns while wide receiver JUSTIN JEFFERSON registered seven receptions for 149 yards and one touchdown on Sunday.

Cousins is the fifth player ever with at least 325 passing yards and two touchdown passes in each of his team's first three games of a season, joining TOM BRADY (2011), DEREK CARR (2021), RYAN FITZPATRICK (2018) and PATRICK MAHOMES (2019).

Jefferson has 458 receiving yards this season, tied with WES WELKER (458 receiving yards in 2011) for the most receiving yards by a player in his team's first three games of a season in NFL history.

Additional notes from Sunday include:

Dallas quarterback DAK PRESCOTT recorded 25 completions in his 100th career start on Sunday.

Prescott has 2,254 completions in 100 career games and surpassed JARED GOFF (2,250 completions) and MATT RYAN (2,242) for the third-most completions ever by a player in his first 100 career games. Only MATTHEW STAFFORD (2,410) and DEREK CARR (2,272) had more.

Baltimore quarterback LAMAR JACKSON totaled 303 yards (202 passing, 101 rushing) and two rushing touchdowns while defensive back KYLE HAMILTON registered three sacks and kicker JUSTIN TUCKER kicked a 50-yard field goal on Sunday.

Jackson has 13 career games with at least 100 rushing yards, the most such games by a quarterback in NFL history, and became the first quarterback ever with three career games with at least 100 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Hamilton, at 22 years and 192 days old, is the youngest defensive back to record three sacks in a single game since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.

Hamilton is the sixth defensive back overall with three sacks in a game since 2000, joining JAMAL ADAMS (November 17, 2019), MIKE HILTON (December 25, 2017), LAWYER MILLOY (November 21, 2004), Pro Football Hall of Famer TROY POLAMALU (September 18, 2005) and ADRIAN WILSON (November 20, 2005).

Tucker has 58 career 50-yard field goals, tied with SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI (58) for the second-most made field goals of at least 50 yards in NFL history. Only Arizona's MATT PRATER (73) has more.

Arizona kicker MATT PRATER converted a 62-yard field goal in the Cardinals' 28-16 win over Dallas, his third-career 60-yard field goal.

Prater the third kicker all-time with at least three made field goals of 60-or-more yards, joining BRETT MAHER (four) and GREG ZUERLEIN (three).

Augusta and Savannah River Host 2023 Edition of IRONMAN® 70.3® Augusta Triathlon

(Credit: Meg Oliphant/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

AUGUSTA, Ga. (www.floridasportsday.com) – Historic Augusta and scenic Savannah River played host to the 2023 edition of IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Augusta triathlon. 

The event saw Mika Noodt (DEU) capture the overall victory with a time of 3:37:14, while in the women’s race, Paula Findlay (CAN) secured the win with a finishing time of 4:05:32. 

Finishing in second place in the men’s race was Jackson Laundry (CAN) who finished with a time of 3:39:39, while Lionel Sanders (CAN) claimed the third spot on the podium with a time of 3:41:23. In the professional women’s race, Tamara Jewett (CAN) took second behind Findlay with a time of 4:06:53, while Jackie Hering (USA) secured third place with a time of 4:14:24.
 
Top five professional men’s results:

		SWIM	BIKE	RUN	FINISH
1. Mika Noodt	DEU	00:20:55	01:59:08	01:12:33	03:37:14
2. Jackson Laundry	CAN	00:21:41	01:58:50	01:14:39	03:39:39
3. Lionel Sanders	CAN	00:23:01	02:01:05	01:12:34	03:41:23
4. Trevor Foley	USA	00:23:36	02:00:35	01:15:09	03:43:50
5. Ari Klau	USA	00:23:44	02:06:59	01:12:53	03:48:27

 

Top five professional women’s results:

		SWIM	BIKE	RUN	FINISH
1. Paula Findlay	CAN	00:22:24	02:17:16	01:20:35	04:05:32
2. Tamara Jewett	CAN	00:23:16	02:20:57	01:17:38	04:06:53
3. Jackie Hering	USA	00:23:13	02:21:10	01:25:01	04:14:24
4. Grace Alexander	USA	00:22:13	02:21:56	01:26:53	04:16:20
5. Anne Marie Strehlow	USA	00:25:47	02:20:11	01:26:27	04:17:27

 

 
The IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta triathlon, saw more than 1,800 athletes start the race, which included competitors from 28 countries, regions, and territories, and 47 U.S. States on Sunday, September 24. Athletes began their IRONMAN 70.3-mile journey with one of America’s fastest down-river swim. Point-to-point, the 1.2-mile swim in the Savannah River was followed by a 56-mile bike ride starting in the Augusta Downtown area. The bike course had a mix of some slow inclines and fast downhill descents through the lush green woods of Georgia. Athletes capped off their race with a 13.1-mile run through the streets of historic Augusta Downtown with a beautiful view of the Savannah River. The 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta triathlon offered 40 Age Group Qualifying slots and 15 Women for Tri Qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place on December 14 & 15, 2024 in Taupō, New Zealand.

Johnston Named Marlins Minor League Player of the Year

JACKSONVILLE (www.floridasportsday.com) – Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp first baseman Troy Johnston has been named the Miami Marlins Player of the Year, the organization.

 

A native of Puyallup, Wash., Johnston finished the season leading all of Minor League Baseball in RBIs (116) while ranking tied for third in extra-base hits (67), ninth in hits (157), tied for 10th in runs (102), 13th in OPS (.948), tied for 15th in doubles (36) and 18th in slugging percentage (.549).

 

Over 134 games between Jacksonville and Double-Pensacola, Johnston slashed .307/.399/.549/.948 with 26 home runs and 24 stolen bases, becoming the first Marlins minor leaguer since 2008 to post a season with at least 20 homers and 20 steals.

 

Upon earning a promotion on July 25 to the Jumbo Shrimp, Johnston put together a 31-game on-base streak – the longest for a Jacksonville hitter since at least 2010 and tied for the eighth-best in the International League in 2023. Over the streak, which ended on September 1 and spanned his first 31 Triple-A games this season, Johnston hit .372/.442/.620/1.062 with 10 doubles, one triple, six home runs, 27 RBIs and 18 runs scored.

 

Miami’s 17th round pick out of Gonzaga University (Spokane, Wash.) in 2019, Johnston spent that summer with Short Season Class A Batavia, batting .277/.373/.399/.772 in 59 contests. Following the pandemic, he split the 2021 campaign with Low-A Jupiter and High-A Beloit, posting a combined .300/.399/.468/.867 batting line in 120 games. Johnston hit .261/.344/.423/.767 with 25 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 57 RBIs and four stolen bases between Jacksonville and Pensacola in 2022.

 

Johnston joins outfielders Peyton Burdick (2021) and Austin Dean (2018) as recent Jacksonville players to earn the Marlins’ Minor League Player of the Year honors. Johnston, who played in 51 games with the Jumbo Shrimp, is the first player to register at least 30 games in a season with Jacksonville and earn the organization’s Player of the Year award since third baseman/outfielder Brian Anderson in 2016.

UNF, JU Soccer Play to Draw in River City Rumble Match

JACKSONVILLE (www.jaxsportsday.com)  - North Florida men's soccer (2-3-4) played an eventful River City Rumble match on the road with a 1-1 draw against Jacksonville (2-5-2) on Saturday evening.

After 72 minutes of play, the Ospreys were the ones to break the scoreless tie with Joaquin Acuna dishing a perfect pass to Luc Granitur for the score on the run. 

Just 10 minutes afterwards, JU's Mason Duval (Andres Perez de Gracia)  responded with a goal with a header on a free kick placed in the top right corner of the frame to force a draw.

The Ospreys head back to their home stadium for another weekend of conference play against FGCU on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. The Dolphins will continue conference play and head to DeLand, Florida, on Saturday, September 30, to take on Stetson. The match will begin at 7 PM.

Former USF Bull Kerkering Named Phillies’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year

 TAMPA (www.floridasportsday.com) – Former University of South Florida Bull Orion Kerkering has been named the Philadelphia Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Year, the organization announced on Thursday. Kerkering is the recipient of the 2023 Paul Owens Award, presented annually to the Phillies’ top minor league pitcher.

The Venice, Florida native pitched at South Florida from 2020-22 and was drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Kerkering spent his first two seasons at USF in the bullpen before splitting time in 2022 between the starting rotation and closer role. His wipe-out slider and power arm paid huge dividends for the Bulls in 2021 as the team won the American Athletic Conference Tournament, the Gainesville Regional and advanced to the program’s first-ever NCAA Super Regional.

 

The 22-year-old began the 2023 season at Low-A Clearwater before earning promotions to High-A Jersey Shore, Double-A Reading and most recently Triple-A Lehigh Valley on September 18th.

 

Kerkering has logged 49 relief appearances across those stops this season with a 4-1 record, 14 saves, a 1.51 ERA (9 ER/53.2 IP) and a 0.89 WHIP. He has struck out 79 batters and issued just 12 walks while holding opposing hitters to a .186 batting average (36-for-194).

 

Kerkering, who was promoted to Triple-A on Monday and earned the win on Wednesday in his first appearance, is striking out 13.25 batters per 9.0 innings pitched and has a 38.0 percent strikeout rate compared to a 5.8 percent walk rate. Among minor league pitchers who have thrown at least 50.0 innings, he has allowed the fewest number of runs (9), ranks fourth in ERA and is tied for fourth in WHIP. After being promoted to Double-A on July 6, Kerkering was tied for first in the Eastern League in saves with seven. The Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month in April, Kerkering struck out a career-high five batters on Sept. 13 at Binghamton. Overall, 43 of his 49 outings have been scoreless and he has not allowed a run in his last nine appearances. Kerkering is ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the Phillies organization by MLB.com.

 

“Orion's performance speaks for itself, but this award was won in the offseason with hard work,” said Preston Mattingly, Phillies director of player development. “Orion committed to improving all aspects of his game and it led to success and stops at all four affiliates. We are proud of the leader he has become and look forward to the bright future ahead.”

IFL: 2023 Offensive Player of the Years returns to Jacksonville Sharks

JACKSONVILLE (www.floridasportsday.com) -  The Jacksonville Sharks have officially signed fan favorite wide receiver Kamrin Solomon. 

The reigning Offensive Player of the Year was a key piece of the Sharks’ top ranked offense. The two-time NAL Champion (2019,2023) will be returning to Jacksonville for his 4th season bringing veteran leadership along with his explosive plays on the offensive side of the ball. 

Solomon played his collegiate ball at Florida Atlantic University and took the NAL by storm last year leading the league with 32 touchdowns and 1907 receiving yards. He averaged over 102 receiving yards a game, proving himself as a stronghold of the offense, even with injuries that plagued the team. 

The Mandarin High School alum broke the NAL record for most receptions in a single season with 116 catches. The former record was 104, held by Jarmon Fortson (2018) and Jordan Jolly (2019). Solomon also left his mark in the 2023 NAL Championship Game recording 128 receiving yards and two touchdowns. 

“It’s a good feeling signing back with the Jacksonville Sharks, especially with being familiar with the situation I’m going into,” Solomon said. “The Sharks organization has been around for a long time and I’m just blessed to be a part of it. The winning culture created here in Jacksonville is contagious!” 

Solomon also spoke about the transition of the team moving into the IFL. “I’m just looking forward to some good football and new competition.” “I’m ready to show we can compete as a team in any league,” Solomon said. “We have a great coaching staff and I’m confident they will have us more than prepared for the upcoming season in the IFL.”

NHL: Panthers Announce Sell Out of Lower-Level Territory Memberships

SUNRISE, Fla. (www.floridasportsday.com) - The Florida Panthers announced today that lower-level Territory Memberships are sold out for the 2023-24 regular season. Fans can still purchase a very limited number of single games, Flex Plan, lower-level group tickets or upper-level Territory Memberships by visiting FloridaPanthers.com/TicketCentral. 

“We are thrilled to share that after the excitement in the market building for the past decade, but especially the past two seasons, all lower-level Territory Memberships have sold out at Amerant Bank Arena,” said Chief Revenue Officer Shawn Thornton. “Reach out to speak with a member of our sales and service staff today to learn about limited remaining options for the upcoming 30^th anniversary season.”  

 

As the official ticketing partner of the Panthers, fans and guests should visit SeatGeek.com to purchase all single game tickets and create an account today. Tickets to all Amerant Bank Arena events including hockey, concerts, shows and more can be purchased at SeatGeek.com or via the Official Panthers Mobile app.  

 

Anyone who has already purchased tickets to an upcoming Amerant Bank Arena event through Ticketmaster must connect their Florida Panthers ticket account to their SeatGeek account to transition their tickets over to SeatGeek by visiting SeatGeek.com/Panthers/Verify. 

 

Those interested in signing up for more information on Panthers ticket packages and memberships can fill out this interest form. 2023-24 Territory Members who purchase now and renew next season will receive top priority to gain access to lower bowl memberships for the 2024-25 season and beyond. 

 

The first chance to catch the Cats on the ice this year is Sept. 25 when the Panthers host a preseason doubleheader against the Nashville Predators. Click here for information on tickets and how fans can attend the game and fundraise for their favorite nonprofits.  

 

IFL: Jacksonville Sharks Announce Re-signing of Price and Ghee

 JACKSONVILLE -  The Jacksonville Sharks announce the re-signing of Jermiah Price and Gibril Ghee from the 2023 NAL Championship Team who are both familiar faces in the IFL where the Sharks look to continue their winning ways. Price and Ghee are two major pieces who both will play critical roles as the Sharks look to rebuild and reload to start their journey in the IFL this upcoming season. 

Jermiah Price went to Oklahoma State University and enters his third stint with the Sharks and is no stranger to the IFL. Price won two United Bowls (2012,2013) which the league later rebranded to the IFL National Championship Game. 

In 2012 he was named the United Bowl MVP. Price then went on to add IFL Defensive Player Of the Year in back to back years (2015,2016) before joining the Sharks in 2017. As a Shark, Price earned Two more championships (2017,2023), and added another championship game MVP under his belt in 2017. The talented, disruptive and experienced pass rusher is a huge resignee for the Jacksonville Sharks inaugural season in the IFL. 

The Jacksonville Sharks also announced the signing of center Gibril Ghee. The former Hampton Pirate returns for his third season with the Sharks. Ghee anchored one the best offenses in the National Arena League for the last two years and has also had success in the IFL with the Green Bay Blizzard in 2021. 

Jacksonville will lean on his leadership and hard-nosed play in the trenches this upcoming season as he is proclaimed as a top tier center of the NAL.