Idaho ties in the NFL: Wilson makes case for best catch, pass in Cowboys’ big win
With Dak Prescott out with a strained calf, it was supposed to be Cooper Rush’s turn to shine at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.
Leave it to Cedrick Wilson to steal the spotlight.
The former Boise State receiver made the two biggest offensive plays of the night to help Dallas rally for a 20-16 victory over Minnesota on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Lined up in the slot, Wilson caught a 73-yard touchdown pass from Rush over the middle less than a minute into the third quarter. Wilson caught the ball near the 50-yard line and then outran three Minnesota defenders before finishing off the play with a dive into the end zone.
It was the Cowboys’ longest completion since 2018 and the longest TD toss by a Dallas QB since Roger Staubach’s 75-yarder against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sept. 21, 1969, according to ESPN.
And that wasn’t even Wilson’s most impressive play of the night.
With less than 2 minutes to go in the third, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore — another Boise State alum — called for a trick play that would set up a game-tying field goal. Rush threw a lateral to Wilson, who hit receiver CeeDee Lamb with a 35-yard strike while being chased down by Minnesota defensive lineman D.J. Wonnum.
“His Boise State days, he did it all the time,” Moore said in a postgame press conference. “Ced’s been that type of guy. He’s done a great job for us. Obviously, early in his career he didn’t get a ton of opportunities, but he found those spots here and there to get in the games. Shoot, he’s played scout team QB a few times over the years when we’ve played a guy who ran around. He’s just a football player. He’s just one of those guys who’s an athlete. He can probably line up and be successful in a bunch of sports. He’s really smart.
“I mean, you guys saw the throw, I’m not gonna line, that wasn’t the exact design of the play. It turned into a scramble drill, and he threw a ball on the sideline that we’d all say was a really impressive throw for a quarterback in the National Football League, not just a receiver, so it’s pretty awesome.”
In two seasons at Boise State, Wilson threw four completions, with a long of 61 yards, and had one touchdown pass.
Wilson has now completed four passes in his NFL career, including a TD pass in 2020. His 17 receptions this season already match his total from all of last year, and his receiving yards (252) are a career high.
BOISE STATE
TE, John Bates, No. 87 Washington Football Team: Came off the bench and caught one pass for 4 yards while playing 15 snaps on offense (21%) and eight on special teams (42%) in Washington’s 17-10 loss to Denver.
G, Ezra Cleveland, No. 72 Minnesota Vikings: Started at left guard and played all 66 snaps on offense and four on special teams (13%) in the Vikings’ 20-16 loss to Dallas.
CB, Dont’e Deayon, No. 21 Los Angeles Rams: Started at cornerback and made seven tackles, tied for second most on the team, and had a pass defended. He also grabbed an interception, but the play was negated because of a penalty on the Rams for illegal use of hands. Deayon played 59 snaps on defense (97%) and one on special teams in the Rams’ 38-22 victory over Houston.
OL, Marcus Henry, No. 53 Arizona Cardinals: Henry was signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad on Monday.
WR, John Hightower, No. 82 Philadelphia Eagles: Hightower is a member of the Eagles’ practice squad and was not called up for their 44-6 victory over Detroit. There is speculation Hightower could be called up for Philadelphia’s Week 9 game against Detroit with two other receivers (Jalen Reagor, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside) questionable with injuries.
DE, DeMarcus Lawrence, No. 90 Dallas Cowboys: Remained on the injured list (fractured foot) for the Cowboys’ 20-16 win over Minnesota.
OT, Charles Leno Jr., No. 72 Washington Football Team: Started at left tackle and was credited with a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter while playing all 70 snaps on offense and four on special teams (21%) in Washington’s 17-10 loss to Denver.
RB, Alexander Mattison, No. 25 Minnesota Vikings: Came off the bench and had two carries for five yards and two receptions for minus-5 yards. Mattison played eight snaps on offense (12%) and five on special teams (17%) in the Vikings’ 20-16 loss to Dallas.
RB, Jeremy McNichols, No. 28 Tennessee Titans: Came off the bench and caught three passes for 33 yards while playing 17 snaps on offense (23%) in the Titans’ 34-31 overtime win against Indianapolis. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that star running back Derrick Henry suffered a potentially season-ending foot injury on Sunday, which should mean more playing time for McNichols.
DT, David Moa, No. 96 New York Giants: After playing in his first regular-season game last week, Moa was not called up for the Giants’ 20-17 loss to Kansas City.
G, John Molchon, No. 75 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Molchon is a member of the Bucs’ practice squad and was not called up for their 36-27 loss to New Orleans.
C, Matt Paradis (Council High), No. 61 Carolina Panthers: Started at center and played all 74 snaps on offense in the Panthers’ 19-13 win over Atlanta.
QB, Brett Rypien, No. 4 Denver Broncos: Rypien was on the inactive list for the Broncos’ 17-10 win over Washington.
S, Darian Thompson, No. 23 Dallas Cowboys: Thompson is a member of the Cowboys’ practice squad and is currently listed as injured.
ILB, Tanner Vallejo, No. 51 Arizona Cardinals: Came off the bench and made two tackles while playing 29 snaps on defense (40%) and 14 on special teams (64%) in the Cardinals’ 24-21 loss to Green Bay.
LB, Leighton Vander Esch (Salmon River High), No. 55 Dallas Cowboys: Started at outside linebacker and made three tackles while playing 33 snaps on defense (50%) and four on special teams (13%) in the Cowboys’ 20-16 win over Minnesota.
DE, Curtis Weaver, No. 59 Cleveland Browns: Weaver is a member of the Browns’ practice squad and was not called up for their 15-10 loss to Pittsburgh.
CB, Avery Williams, No. 35 Atlanta Falcons: Came off the bench and returned two punts for 21 yards and made one tackle while playing 22 snaps on defense (30%) and 17 on special teams (65%) in the Falcons’ 19-13 loss to Carolina.
WR, Cedrick Wilson, No. 1 Dallas Cowboys: Came off the bench and caught a 73-yard touchdown pass from Cooper Rush — the longest of his NFL career — to tie the game at 10 early in the second half. Wilson also completed one pass for 35 yards to CeeDee Lamb, grabbed three receptions for 84 yards and returned one punt 7 yards. He played 42 snaps on offense (58%) and five on special teams (17%) as the Cowboys defeated Minnesota 20-16.
IDAHO
WR, Jeff Cotton, No. 88 Jacksonville Jaguars: Cotton is a member of the Jags’ practice squad and was not called up for their 31-7 loss to Seattle.
G/T, Jesse Davis, No. 77 Miami Dolphins: Started at right tackle and played all 69 snaps on offense and two on special teams (8%) in the Dolphins’ 26-11 loss to Buffalo. Davis was whistled for a holding penalty in the fourth quarter.
LB, Kaden Elliss, No. 55 New Orleans Saints: Came off the bench and played two snaps on defense (3%) and 21 on special teams (72%) but did not record any stats in the Saints’ 36-27 win over Tampa Bay.
DE, Benson Mayowa, No. 10 Seattle Seahawks: Came off the bench and contributed three tackles while playing 23 snaps on defense (30%) in the Seahawks’ 31-7 win over Jacksonville.
RB, Elijhaa Penny, No. 39 New York Giants: Came off the bench and caught one pass for 16 yards but negated nearly all of those yards by receiving a 15-yard penalty for taunting after the play. Penny played seven snaps on offense (12%) and 18 on special teams (72%) in the Giants’ 20-17 loss to Kansas City.
HIGH SCHOOLS
DE, Porter Gustin (Emmett High), No. 94 Cleveland Browns: Gustin is a member of the Browns’ practice squad and was not called up for their 15-10 loss to Pittsburgh.
QB, Taysom Hill (Highland High), No. 7 New Orleans Saints: Hill remained on the inactive list (concussion) for the Saints’ 36-27 victory against Tampa Bay.
OL, Tristen Hoge (Highland High), Cleveland Browns: Hoge is a member of the Browns’ practice squad and was not called up for their 15-10 loss to Pittsburgh.
DT, Tommy Togiai (Highland High), No. 93 Cleveland Browns: Togiai was on the Browns’ inactive roster for the eighth straight game.
DL, Jonah Williams (Rocky Mountain High), No. 92 Los Angeles Rams: Came off the bench and played 16 snaps on defense (26%) and six on special teams (18%) but did not record any stats in the Rams’ 38-22 win against Houston. Williams was waived Tuesday, making him available to all 31 other teams.
Note: There are currently no players from Idaho State listed on an NFL roster.
