Locals in the NFL: Taron Johnson's fumble and record field goal give Bills fourth straight win

AROUND THE SHIELD – Taron Johnson picked a very, very good time to force his first fumble of the season.

The former Weber State star, who had three career fumbles a year ago in Buffalo, threw the ball off Miami running back Raheem Mostert on the first drive of the second half and helped set up Josh Allen's 1-yard touchdown pass to prepare for Mack Hollins.

The turnover helped the Bills turn a 10-6 halftime deficit into a 12-10 lead en route to a 30-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins to mark the ninth week of the 2024 NFL regular season.

But for Johnson, who briefly left the game with a back injury in the second quarter, it was all about doing his job.

“But that’s the motto; you have to get turnovers,” said Johnson, the starter who also had four tackles in the win. “Luckily we managed that. If there are turnovers at certain points in the game, the tide will definitely change.”

The decisive win over an AFC East rival came courtesy of a dramatic, franchise-record 61-yard field goal by Tyler Bass that gave the Bills (7-2) their fourth straight win.

“That was a fantastic game from T-Bass,” Johnson said. “I’m just grateful he did it.”

Here's a look at how other former Utah high school and college football stars performed in Week 9 of the 2024 NFL regular season.

Monday Night Football

Tampa Bay vs. Kansas City

Buccaneers (4-4)

• No locals in the active squad

Chiefs (7-0)

• Kingsley Suamtaia, OT, BYU/Orem

Football on Sunday evenings

Minnesota 21, Indianapolis 13

Vikings (6-2)

• Taki Taimani, DT, East (via Oregon): Placed on injured reserve (ankle).

Colt (5-4)

• Blake Freeland, OT, BYU/Herriman: Active, but not played
• Julian Blackmon, S, Utah/Layton: Starting safety made seven tackles
• Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem: Converted field goals of 42 and 54 yards and an extra point on three kickoffs

Sunday afternoon

Los Angeles 26, Seattle 20 (OT)

Rams (4-4)

• Puka Nacua, WR, BYU/Orem: The starting wide receiver caught a pass for 11 yards on offense and made a tackle on an interception return before being sent off with a personal foul for fighting
• Jonah Williams, DE, Weber State: Reserve defensive end also played on special teams

Seahawks (4-5)

• Sataoa Laumea, OG, Utah: Inactive for week 9

Atlanta 27, Dallas 21

Falcons (6-3)

• Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU: The reserve tailback rushed for 18 yards on six carries, including a 6-yard touchdown on offense
• Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Reserve cornerback also played on special teams
• Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial (via Idaho): The starting linebacker had a team-high 13 total tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and three quarterback hits on defense

Cowboys (3-5)

• Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State/Fremont: Reserve linebacker made two tackles on special teams

Baltimore 41, Denver 10

Ravens (6-3)

• Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: The starting linebacker had three tackles on defense
• Marcus Williams, S, Utah: The starting safety made three tackles on defense

Broncos (5-4)

• Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon: Inactive for week 9
• Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton: The starting linebacker made seven tackles on defense
• Garett Bolles, OT, Utah/Snow/Westlake: Started at left tackle
• Jonah Elliss, LB, Utah: The reserve linebacker made a tackle on defense
• Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah: Reserve receiver caught two passes for 11 yards on offense

Buffalo 30, Miami 27

Bills (7-2)

• Cole Bishop, S, Utah: The reserve safety made a tackle on special teams
• Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah: The starting tight end caught four passes for 32 yards on offense
• Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Starting nickel had four tackles and a forced fumble on defense

Dolphins (2-6)

• No locals in the active squad

Carolina 23, New Orleans 22

Panthers (2-7)

• Brady Christensen, OL, BYU/Bountiful: Started at left tackle

Saints (2-7)

• Taysom Hill, TE, BYU: The starting tight end caught four passes for 41 yards and ran for 19 yards on five carries, including a 7-yard touchdown on offense
• Dallin Holker, TE, BYU/Lehi (via Colorado State): Reserve tight end made one tackle on special teams
• Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Inactive for week 9

Cincinnati 41, Las Vegas 24

Bengal (4-5)

• Ryan Rehkow, P, BYU: Punted three times for 175 yards (58.3 yards per punt) with one touchback
• Zack Moss, RB, Utah: Inactive for week 9
• Tanner McLachlan, TE, Southern Utah (via Arizona): Inactive for week 9
• Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham (via USC): Inactive for week 9

Raiders (2-7)

• Andre James, OC, Herriman (via UCLA): Inactive for week 9
• Jackson Powers-Johnson, OG, Corner Canyon (via Oregon): Started in the middle

Los Angeles 27, Cleveland 10

Chargers (5-3)

• Simi Fehoko, WR, Brighton (via Stanford): The reserve wide receiver was targeted once on offense before leaving with an injury (elbow).
• Alohi Gilman, S, Orem (via Notre Dame): The starting safety had five tackles with one interception on defense

Shades of brown (2-7)

• Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah: The starting linebacker had four tackles and one pass defensed on defense

Washington 27, New York 22

Commanders (7-2)

• Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Reserve cornerback also played on special teams
• Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: The starting linebacker totaled seven tackles and picked up one fumble on defense

Giants (2-7)

• No locals in the active squad

Tennessee 20, New England 17

Titans (2-6)

• Gabe Jeudy-Lally, BYU (via Tennessee): Reserve cornerback played four snaps on special teams

Patriots (2-7)

• No locals in the active squad

Arizona 29, Chicago 9

Cardinals (4-4)

• Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU/Granger: Reserve defensive tackle, also played on special teams

Bears (4-3)

• Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: The starting cornerback had two tackles and one tackle for loss on defense
• Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah/Murray: Inactive for week 9
• Noah Sewell, LB, Orem (via Oregon): The reserve linebacker made one tackle on special teams

Philadelphia 28, Jacksonville 23

Eagles (5-2)

• No locals in the active squad

Jaguars (2-6)

• Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: The starting linebacker made eight tackles on defense

Detroit 24, Green Bay 14

Lions (6-1)

• Sione Vaki, RB, Utah: Inactive for week 9
• Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills (via Oregon): Started with right tackle
• Tim Patrick, WR, Utah: The starting wide receiver caught two passes for 12 yards

Packers (6-2)

• Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: The starting quarterback completed 23 of 39 passes for 273 yards and one interception, threw for the 2-point conversion and recovered two of three fumbles
• Zayne Anderson, S, BYU/Stansbury: Reserve safety also played on special teams
• Chris Brooks, RB, BYU: The reserve running back rushed for 13 yards on two carries and caught three passes for 28 yards

Thursday Night Football

New York 21, Houston 13

Jets (3-6)

• No locals in the active squad

Texans (6-3)

• Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham (via Stanford): The starting tight end caught three passes for 21 yards in 56 offensive snaps