Here's how former Iowa State football players did in Week 3 of the NFL season
We're through three weeks of the 2023 NFL season, and several former Cyclones had impacts on their team's performances yet again.
It started, as it usually does, with Brock Purdy, who lit up the New York Giants on Thursday night and made history in the process. More on that later. Elsewhere, the New York Jets' trio of former Iowa State standouts continue to adjust without Aaron Rodgers under center.
Here's a complete rundown of former Cyclones in Week 3.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers QB
Any offseason chatter about Purdy's UCL injury or legitimacy as a franchise quarterback has quickly been put to rest. The ex-Cyclone has the 49ers at 3-0 with tons of confidence after carving up the Giants in a 30-12 victory.
Purdy finished 25-for-37 for 310 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. In doing so, San Francisco became the first team in NFL history to both rush and pass for at least 140 yards in eight straight regular-season games. Purdy was the starting quarterback in all of them.
The @49ers are the first team in NFL history to both rush and pass for at least 140 yards in 8 consecutive games (regular season).
They've done it all under a QB (Brock Purdy) who had never started a game in the NFL prior to the streak. pic.twitter.com/6An7Dfa9aM— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) September 22, 2023
Additionally, Purdy is now the third-youngest player in NFL history to throw for 700 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions through the first three games of a season. The only players younger? Lamar Jackson during his 2019 MVP season, and Patrick Mahomes during his 2018 MVP season.
Some foreshadowing, perhaps?
Brock Purdy is the 3rd-youngest player in NFL history to throw for 700 pass yards, 4 Pass TD and have 0 INT through 3 games of a season.
The only players younger? Lamar Jackson in his 2019 MVP season and Patrick Mahomes in his 2018 MVP season. pic.twitter.com/DetSUgLqBQ— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 22, 2023
Allen Lazard, New York Jets WR
Going from thinking Rodgers is your quarterback to needing Zach Wilson again is disheartening for everyone in the Jets organization, especially the wide receivers. Lazard was brought over from Green Bay specifically because of his chemistry with Rodgers, which makes the transition to Wilson that much tougher.
Still, Lazard is a pro who's expected to adjust. He finished with three catches for 39 yards on a season-high five targets in Sunday's 15-10 loss to the New England Patriots.
Lazard did have a nice 21-yard grab in the fourth quarter that helped set up the Jets' lone touchdown. That's about the ceiling for excitement right now with the New York offense.
Zach Wilson ➡️ Allen Lazard 🎯#Jets
pic.twitter.com/e9hrhFBtOg— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) September 24, 2023
How other former Cyclones fared in Week 3
Breece Hall, New York Jets RB: 12 carries for 18 yards; 1 catch for 9 yards
Will McDonald, New York Jets DE: Returned after a healthy Week 2 scratch; no stats
Anthony Johnson, Green Bay Packers S: Inactive (healthy scratch)
Charlie Kolar, Baltimore Ravens TE: Active; no stats
Xavier Hutchinson, Houston Texans WR: Active; no stats
Jake Hummel, Los Angeles Rams LB: Active; no stats
David Montgomery, Detroit Lions RB: Out (thigh)
Kene Nwangwu, Minnesota Vikings RB: Out (IR)
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: See how former Iowa State players did during Week 3 of the NFL season
