Athletes Beyond Bartow football updates for players with local ties

The Atlanta Falcons suffered a tough loss Sunday in overtime, but Adairsville native Vic Beasley, Jr. had another outstanding performance.

Several other players with local connections, continue their successful contributions with collegiate programs across the nation. Readers may check on all 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' on this website. Use the 'More' drop-down menu at the top of this page to find links for all current college and pro athletes with local ties.

This week's football update:

NFL

VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (OLB, 2nd year pro, Clemson University, Adairsville HS) . . . had three tackles, including a pair of sacks in the Falcons’ 33-30 home, overtime loss Sunday to the San Diego Chargers. Beasley also forced a fumble that led to an Atlanta recovery and touchdown by defensive end Adrian Clayborn. At the time, it was part of a 21-point unanswered run and a 27-10 second quarter lead for Atlanta. Beasley added a fourth quarter sack of Chargers’ quarterback Phillip Rivers, but San Diego rallied to tie the game and won in overtime. Beasley now has 20 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and has forced three fumbles in 2016. Atlanta (4-3) hosts Green Bay next Sunday (Oct. 30) at 4:25pm.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum College (DB, Soph., Woodland HS) . . . had one tackle as the Pioneers defeated visiting Limestone College, 34-13 last Saturday. Allen now has 14 tackles in six games played this season. Tusculum (2-6, 1-3 Southern Athletic Conference) plays at Mars Hill in a conference matchup Saturday, October 29.

T.L. FORD II — UNC-Charlotte (WR, Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . made one reception for 11 yards as the 49ers won at Marshall last Saturday in a Conference USA contest. Ford now has 26 catches this season through eight games for 347 yards and three touchdowns. UNC-Charlotte improved to 3-5 overall and evened their conference mark at 2-2. They have a week off before traveling to Hattiesburg, MS to battle Southern Miss Saturday, November 5.

MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (TE, Fr., Cartersville HS) . . . continues to impress with key blocks and has seen action in every game this season for the top-ranked Crimson Tide. After receiving credit for a key block that sprang Jalen Hurts for a 45 yard TD run against Tennessee, Forristall’s blocking prowess was noted again Saturday by the CBS broadcast team in the Tide’s 33-14 win over Texas A&M. Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) plays next on November 5 at LSU.

GORDON GRAY — Kennesaw State University (WR, R-Soph., Cartersville HS) . . . received playing time in the Owls’ 47-39 conference win at Gardner-Webb. KSU (5-2, 1-1 Big South Conference) plays at Monmouth Saturday, October 29.

DAKOTA HINES — Kentucky Christian University (PK/P, Jr., Adairsville HS) . . . made all three extra point attempts and punted seven times for a 31 yard average with a long punt of 46 yards as the Crusaders defeated Union College (KY) 21-14. KCU (1-7, 1-6 Mid-South Conference) plays at Cincinnati Christian University Saturday, October 29.

BRADY JERNIGAN — Illinois College (DL, Fr., Woodland HS) . . . saw playing time for the fourth consecutive week in a 69-7 home loss to Monmouth College. The Blue Boys (5-3, 4-2 Midwest Conference) travel to De Pere, Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 29 for a conference game with St. Norbert College.

LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (OL, Soph., Cass HS) . . . saw playing time in the Panthers 31-6 victory over UT-Martin Saturday, October 22 at the Georgia Dome. GSU (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt Conference) travels to Mobile to play University of South Alabama Saturday, October 29.

HAYES LINN — Air Force (DB, Sr., Cartersville HS) . . . saw playing time in three quarters of the Falcons’ 34-27 two-overtime loss to Hawai’i. It was the first game this season he did not start. Linn has 21 tackles and has broken up three passes in seven games. Air Force (4-3, 1-3 Mountain West Conference) plays at Fresno State Friday night (Oct. 28) at 10:30pm ET on ESPN2.

JAMAR POSEY — Birmingham Southern College (OL, Jr., Woodland HS) . . . saw playing time in BSC’s home, 50-16 conference loss to Rhodes College. The Panthers (1-7, 1-5 Southern Athletic Association) host Centre College (KY) Saturday, October 29.

TYLER REED — Austin Peay State University (LB, Fr., Cartersville HS) . . . saw playing time in the Governors’ 41-34 home, non-conference loss to Mercer last Saturday. Austin Peay (0-7, 0-5) returns to Ohio Valley Conference action Saturday, October 29 at Southeast Missouri.

ISAIAH ROSS — Point University (LB, Jr., Woodland HS). . . made five tackles in a 45-0 road loss at No. 20 Southeastern (FL) University. Ross now has 35 tackles, including one for a loss in the 2016 season. Point (1-6, 1-4 Sun Conference) plays next on November 5 at Ave Maria (FL).

TOWNSEND, SHELBY — Georgia Southern University (TE, R-Soph., Woodland HS) . . . saw action in the Eagles’ 22-19 conference win at New Mexico State. Georgia Southern (4-3, 3-1 Sun Belt Conference) hosts Appalachian State Thursday night, October 27 on ESPNU.

HIRAM VELEZ — Troy University (WR, Jr., Adairsville HS) . . . saw action last Thursday, October 20 as the Trojans downed University of South Alabama 28-21. Velez has six catches for 87 yards and one touchdown through seven games. Troy (6-1, 4-0 Sun Belt Conference) hosts UMass Saturday afternoon, November 5.

DaKELIN WELLS — Maryville College (TN) (LB, Jr., Cass HS) . . . made five tackles in the Scots’ 31-26 conference win at home last Saturday over Averett University. Through seven games, Wells has 18 tackles, one tackle for a loss, one pass break up, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Maryville improved to 6-1 overall and remained unbeaten at 4-0 in USA South Athletic Conference.