Devin Lloyd’s historic performance stands alone among NFL linebackers since 1982

Otay Ranch High alum and Carolina Panthers linebacker Devin Lloyd delivered one of the most complete individual defensive games in modern NFL history. In a dominant 34-3 road victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the former Jacksonville Jaguar and first-round pick recorded nine tackles, two interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), a sack, and multiple pass breakups.

Not since the league began tracking sacks as an official statistic in 1982 has a linebacker posted eight or more tackles, at least two interceptions, a pick-six, and a sack in the same game.

Lloyd led all players with nine tackles, including a critical fourth-down stop. He generated pressure with a sack, disrupted passing lanes with pass breakups (one of which set up a teammate interception by Bobby Okereke early), and finished with the ball in his hands twice. His first interception featured a one-handed grab and a 53-yard return. The second, later in the third quarter, he returned for a touchdown—his second career pick-six and Carolina’s first defensive score of the season.

San Diego College 🏈 Recap: Sept. 19, 2026

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

SAN DIEGO MESA 48, PALOMAR 14

Coming off a 68-point showing against Citrus, the No. 10 ranked San Diego Mesa Olympians remained dominant in its American Pacific League opener, rolling past Palomar 48-14 at Merrill Douglas Stadium. The Olympians constructed a 26-0 halftime cushion behind quarterback Diesel Taylor (Del Norte), who passed for 276 yards and two touchdowns while adding a 23-yard touchdown scamper. Colin McCann opened the scoring with a three-yard plunge and caught eight passes for 74 yards, while Grady Woodward hauled in a 29-yard scoring strike. Kicker Lorenzo Flores provided insurance with field goals of 33 and 42 yards as Mesa piled up 501 yards of total offense and converted 11 of 19 third downs. 

Palomar’s offense was stifled for most of the night, managing just 68 rushing yards on 29 attempts. Mesa delivered a defensive touchdown midway through the third quarter when Hunter Wiggins strip-sacked Comets quarterback Noah Schuback, allowing defensive lineman Isaac Rimada to scoop up the loose ball and return it 27 yards for a score. Palomar finally found the end zone on a two-yard run by Aaron Knapp and later saw defensive back Andrew Livingston return an interception 40 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown. However, Mesa countered immediately with a four-yard touchdown pass to Braxton Sherley and a 14-yard strike from backup quarterback Tyson Line (Mira Mesa) to Joshua Newbern to seal the win.

SOUTHWESTERN 40, Mt. San Jacinto 12

The No. 18 ranked Southwestern Jaguars maintained its undefeated record with a wire-to-wire 40-12 victory over Mt. San Jacinto at HCN Bank Stadium in Menifee. The Jaguars jumped ahead just three minutes in when their defense notched a safety, followed quickly by a four-yard touchdown run from Elias Johnson and a five-yard touchdown dash by Caleb Blocker. Southwestern stretched its lead to 26-0 in the second quarter when defensive end Damarrion White (Granite Hills) stepped in front of a Julian Silva pass and returned the interception 20 yards for a touchdown. Freshman kicker Daniel Meadows added a 29-yard field goal and converted all five of his extra-point attempts to round out an explosive first half.

Southwestern controlled the line of scrimmage, rolling up 204 rushing yards behind a balanced committee that included Johnson (two rushing scores), Blocker, and Jamar Johnson. Quarterback Dominic Duran operated with precision, completing 13 of 17 passes for 180 yards, while Kiram Dallas ignited special teams with three kickoff returns for 156 yards—including a 90-yard burst. Mt. San Jacinto managed second-half touchdown passes from backup quarterback Seth Bolender to Khalil Lang and Jeremiah Walthour, but the Jaguars' defense limited the Eagles to 213 total yards and just 3-of-14 on third-down conversions to move to 4-0.

GROSSMONT 22, LA Valley 21

The Grossmont Griffins overcame 17 penalties for 174 yards and a nine-point second-half deficit to capture an electrifying 22-21 victory over Los Angeles Valley at Mashin-Roth Memorial Stadium. The Griffins trailed 21-12 late in the third quarter after Monarchs quarterback Chase Everett threw touchdown strikes to Kyle Smith Jr. and Joshua Hephzibah. The game pivoted dramatically on the opening drive of the fourth quarter with LA Valley threatening at the Grossmont 11-yard line. Former Lincoln High standout cornerback Isaac Turner stepped in front of an Everett pass at the goal line and sprinted 100 yards down the sideline for a pick-six, swinging the momentum and cutting the Monarch lead to 21-19. 

Freshman kicker Philipa Trakas served as the hero on special teams, hitting all three of his field-goal attempts—from 25, 30, and a decisive 43-yarder with 5:18 remaining that put the Griffins in front. Grossmont’s ground game grounded out clock behind Ladarrione Perkins, who finished with 95 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. The Griffins' defense clamped down over the final possessions, finishing the contest with four sacks—including two from Jeremiah Savaiinaea Jr.—and three interceptions, two by Turner and one by Jonathan Smith, to preserve the one-point league victory.