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New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson passes against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

AP

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New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson pushes away Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

AP

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Former Cougar star and No. 2 draft pick Zach Wilson endured the ups and downs of regular season NFL football in his first game Sunday the New York Jets lost, 19-14, at Carolina.

The Panther defense brought the pressure on Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, sacking Wilson six times and intercepting him once. Wilson kept battling, though and finished 20 of 37 for 258 yards with two touchdown passes to Corey Davis in his first career start.

Wilson spent the better part of the game under heavy duress, pressured on 10 of his 19 dropbacks in the first half. He was 0 for 7 passing with three sacks on those pressures, according to ESPN Stats Info.

Wilson’s final sack came with 2 minutes left when his head hit the turf hard after getting landed on by 320-pound defensive tackle Derrick Brown. But he stayed in the game and connected with Davis for with 1:56 left to cut Carolina’s lead to 19-14 and give his team a chance.

But the Panthers put the game away on the final drive on an 18-yard run by McCaffrey.

Despite the pressure, Wilson had some bright spots including the late TD toss and a 22-yard touchdown pass to Davis late in the third quarter when he rolled out of the pocket to buy time.

Ex-Cougar Brady Christensen is an offensive lineman for the Panthers.

Here’s a look at how other pro players from BYU did in Week 1 of the NFL season:

49ers 41, Lions 23

Former BYU linebacker Fred Warner had another big game for San Francisco, tallying 11 tackles.

He had to help keep the 49er defense poised as Detroit, with the help of former Cougar running back Jamaal Williams, made a furious fourth-quarter comeback. Williams finished with 110 total yards (9 carries for 54 yards rushing with a TD, 8 catches for 56 yards).

Browns, Chiefs

Former Cougar safeties Dan Sorensen and Zayne Anderson play for the Chiefs and Sorensen came up with four tackles as Kansas City rallied to get the win.

Former BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki had a single tackle for Cleveland.

Saints 38, Packers 3

Ex-Cougar quarterback Taysom Hill may have lost the battle for the starting QB job with the Saints but he’s still involved in the offense. Hill finished the New Orleans blowout win with one pass for three yards and two rushes for one total yard.

Chargers 20, Washington 16

Former BYU cornerback Michael Davis finished Sunday’s game with four tackles as Los Angeles scored late to edge the Washington Football team.

Ex-Cougar receiver Dax Milne plays for Washington but didn’t have any receptions.

Dolphins 17, Patriots 16 

Former BYU linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Harvey Langi are back with the Patriots and Van Noy had some nice plays. He had three tackles including a sack and a pass breakup.

Other former Cougars

Ex-Cougar defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga’s Chicago Bears played late Sunday night, while former BYU running back Ty’Son Williams’s Baltimore Ravens play on Monday.

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