Two players with Utah connections orchestrated one of the most memorable defensive plays in Week 15 when former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy intercepted Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow and lateraled the ball to former Orem High safety Alohi Gilman for an 84-yard touchdown return. The play helped Baltimore secure a decisive 24-0 shutout victory over the Bengals on Sunday.
The dramatic sequence unfolded early in the fourth quarter with Cincinnati threatening at Baltimore’s 7-yard line, trailing 17-0 but building momentum behind Burrow’s drive. Van Noy’s interception halted the Bengals’ scoring opportunity and his quick-thinking lateral to Gilman turned a defensive stop into six points, effectively sealing the game.
Unique Connection Between Utah Football Alumni
Van Noy, now in his 12th NFL season at age 34, initially earned credit for an 11-yard return before extending the ball toward his teammate. Gilman, the 28-year-old safety recently signed by Baltimore, accelerated toward the sideline and completed the remaining distance for his first professional touchdown.
Following the game, Gilman acknowledged the age difference between the two defenders with good-natured humor. He noted that Van Noy’s veteran status made the lateral decision both practical and smart, allowing the younger player to maximize the scoring opportunity while preserving his teammate’s energy.
The interception return marked Baltimore’s first defensive shutout since 2018, demonstrating the unit’s dominant performance throughout the contest. Gilman finished the game with eight total tackles and a pass defended in addition to his touchdown, while Van Noy contributed a tackle, quarterback hit, and pass defended alongside his crucial interception.
Both players traveled unique paths through Utah before reaching the NFL. Van Noy, originally from Reno, Nevada, started at least portions of all four seasons at BYU before the Detroit Lions selected him with the 40th overall pick in the 2014 draft’s second round. His college career established him as a versatile linebacker capable of impacting games in multiple ways.
Gilman’s journey proved even more circuitous. The Hawaii native attended Kahuku High School in Laie before spending his junior year at Orem High, where he played both offense and defense for the Tigers in 2013-14. According to MaxPreps records, he caught 12 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown while also contributing at cornerback across 12 games.
After high school, Gilman played collegiately at Navy before transferring to Notre Dame, where he developed into a sixth-round draft selection in 2020. The Los Angeles Chargers chose him 186th overall, beginning a professional career that eventually brought him to Baltimore, where he now shares a defensive backfield with his former Utah high school peer.
Week 15 Performances Across the NFL
Utah connections throughout the league delivered impactful performances during the weekend’s action. Former BYU and Orem High standout Puka Nacua continued his impressive sophomore season for the Los Angeles Rams, leading his team with nine receptions for 181 yards while adding eight rushing yards on two carries in a 41-34 victory over Detroit.
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who played collegiately at Utah, recorded one tackle and an interception in his team’s commanding 31-3 win over Cleveland. His defensive playmaking helped the Bears improve to 10-4 on the season, strengthening their playoff positioning.
Former Utah linebacker Mohamoud Diabate anchored Cleveland’s defense despite the lopsided loss, totaling eight tackles including two tackles for loss. His consistent production has made him a reliable presence for the Browns throughout a difficult 3-11 campaign.
Houston tight end Dalton Schultz, who graduated from Bingham High before playing at Stanford, caught eight passes for 76 yards and a 4-yard touchdown in the Texans’ 40-20 victory over Arizona. His performance demonstrated the reliable receiving skills that have made him a valued target in Houston’s passing attack.
Buffalo’s secondary featured multiple Utah products in the Bills’ 35-31 win over New England. Safety Cole Bishop from Utah started and recorded five tackles, while cornerback Taron Johnson from Weber State also started and matched that total. Tight end Dalton Kincaid, another Utah alumnus, contributed three catches for 34 yards, while punter Mitch Wishnowsky averaged 40.5 yards on four punts with three downed inside the 20-yard line.
Standout Individual Performances
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, who attended Corner Canyon and Roy High before starring at Ole Miss, completed 20 of 36 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns in a 29-21 loss to Washington. Despite throwing one interception and taking a sack, Dart added 63 rushing yards on nine carries, showcasing the dual-threat abilities that made him a first-round selection.
Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, a Utah State product, struggled in Denver’s 34-26 victory over the Packers, completing 24 of 40 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown while throwing two interceptions and absorbing three sacks. He contributed 29 rushing yards on three attempts but couldn’t overcome the Broncos’ defensive pressure.
Denver benefited from contributions by multiple Utah connections in the victory. Offensive tackle Garett Bolles, who attended Utah, Snow College, and Westlake High, started at left tackle providing pass protection. Reserve linebacker Jonah Elliss from Utah recorded two tackles and a sack for a 10-yard loss, disrupting Green Bay’s offensive rhythm at a critical moment.
Washington linebacker Bobby Wagner, a Utah State standout, led his team’s defensive effort with seven tackles including six solo stops in the Commanders’ win over the Giants. The veteran’s consistent production continues demonstrating why he remains one of the league’s most respected middle linebackers.
New Orleans wide receiver Devaughn Vele, formerly of Utah, started and caught five passes for 69 yards in the Saints’ 20-17 victory over Carolina. His emergence as a reliable target has provided offensive balance for New Orleans during a challenging season.
Special Teams and Reserve Contributions
Several Utah-connected players made impacts on special teams and in reserve roles throughout Week 15. Philadelphia’s Britain Covey, who starred at Timpview High and Utah, returned three punts for 22 yards with a long of 11 yards in the Eagles’ 31-0 shutout of Las Vegas.
Seattle’s Rashid Shaheed from Weber State posted a versatile stat line against Indianapolis, catching five passes for 74 yards while returning five kickoffs for 131 yards, averaging 26.2 yards per return with a long of 30 yards. He also returned one punt for six yards and rushed once for negative three yards.
Kansas City’s offensive line featured Kingsley Suamataia, a BYU and Orem High product, starting at left guard in the Chiefs’ 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. His presence helped protect the quarterback despite the difficult result.
Cincinnati punter Ryan Rehkow from BYU averaged 45.5 yards on four punts in the loss to Baltimore, with two punts downed inside the 20-yard line and one touchback. His field position work kept the Bengals competitive before the fourth-quarter interception return shifted momentum decisively.
For more information about Utah players in professional football, the NFL Players Association provides comprehensive player resources, while Utah High School Activities Association tracks prep athletes advancing to collegiate and professional levels.
Looking Ahead
As the NFL regular season enters its final weeks, players with Utah connections continue demonstrating the quality of football talent developed throughout the state’s high school and collegiate programs. From BYU and Utah to Utah State and Weber State, the Beehive State’s football programs consistently produce NFL-caliber athletes across all position groups.
The Ravens’ defensive touchdown combining Van Noy and Gilman represents the kind of instinctive, high-level play that defines successful NFL defenses. Their ability to recognize the opportunity and execute the lateral under pressure showcases the football intelligence and athletic ability that carried both players from Utah to professional success.
With several weeks remaining in the regular season and playoffs approaching, Utah-connected players will continue competing for postseason positions and individual accolades. Their collective performances reflect positively on the state’s football development pipeline and demonstrate that athletes from various levels of Utah football can excel at the sport’s highest level.
The Van Noy to Gilman touchdown connection will likely rank among the season’s most memorable defensive plays, particularly given both players’ ties to Utah football programs separated by just 45 miles. Their collaboration on Sunday afternoon created a highlight that Utah football fans can celebrate regardless of which in-state program they support.
