Across the Shield: Zeke Dominates, Michael Thomas Cannot Be Stopped, and Nick Vannett Finds the End Zone

By David Wertheim on November 12, 2018 at 9:05 am
Buckeyes posing after game
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Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye. Across the Shield follows those who once wore Scarlet and Gray on their journeys through the NFL.

Michael Thomas Scores Twice More

I was in attendance for this game. The Bengals lost. 

Michael Thomas continued his absolute tear, scoring twice in New Orleans romp through Paul Brown Stadium. 

Here's the first score, an excellent lunging catch. 

And here is the second score, a touchdown reception right before the half. 

Thomas finished with eight catches for 70 yards and those two scores.

After the game, he exchanged jerseys with former teammate Sam Hubbard.

There was much more from this game...

Eli Apple Records First Saints Interception

Since coming into the league, Eli Apple has been something of an enigma. The talent has always been there, but it has not always flourished. This led the New York Giants to trade Apple to the Saints a few weeks ago, in hopes that it would be a symbiotic parting.

Well, Apple made some big plays on Sunday, including this interception off a tipped ball.

Apple finished with three tackles and two pass deflections in addition to that interception. 

There's still more from this game, however.

Buckeyes Pose for Picture

With 10 Buckeyes on the active roster or practice squad combined between the Bengals and Saints, they took the opportunity to pose for a photo after the game.

From left to right, with statistics:

  • Adolphus Washington: two tackles
  • Marshon Lattimore: one tackle
  • Eli Apple: three tackles, one interception, two passes defensed 
  • Chris Worley: DNP (practice squad)
  • Billy Price: offensive line
  • Sam Hubbard: two tackles
  • J.T. Barrett: DNP (practice squad)
  • Kurt Coleman: one tackle
  • Michael Thomas: eight catches, 70 yards, 2 TD's
  • Vonn Bell: two tackles

All in all, not a bad day at the office for the former Ohio State standouts.

Zeke Runs Wild

Well, Ohio State players showed out in the early games, and Ezekiel Elliott absolutely dominated Sunday Night Football.

He started it with an impressive hurdle: 

Then followed it up with a score:

And added another touchdown:

All in all, Zeke recorded 19 carries for 151 yards (7.9 avg) and a touchdown, adding six catches for 36 yards and another score.

It was an absolutely dominant performance from Elliott in the Cowboys win over Philadelphia.

Nick Vannett Finds the End Zone

After Jeff Heuerman did so last week, another Buckeye hit paydirt this week as Nick Vannett was able to score on a seven-yard pass from Russell Wilson.

Unfortunately, it was not enough, as the Seahawks fell to the Rams on the road.

Vannett finished with just that singular catch. At least he made it count.

Tyquan Lewis Makes NFL Debut

After being sidelined for the first half of the season due to injury, defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis made his NFL debut for the Colts and immediately made his presence felt.

Lewis finished with three tackles in the Colts win over Jacksonville. 

“Coming into it, I knew they always had a lot of faith in me," Lewis said to Colts.com. "I never missed a meeting, I was always being attentive, I take notes, I’m a student of the game. I just do what’s necessary — whatever they ask of me, I just try to be versatile in everything I do.”

Congratulations to Lewis on the first of hopefully many NFL games.

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