Idaho ties in the NFL: Former Boise State defensive lineman makes regular-season debut

David Moa was activated from the New York Giants’ practice squad on Saturday. Less than 24 hours later, the former Boise State defensive standout made his NFL regular-season debut.

The 6-foot-3, 296-pound defensive tackle played seven snaps on defense and one on special teams, but he did not record any stats as the Giants beat the Carolina Panthers 25-3 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Moa first entered the NFL in 2020 as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings, but was cut during training camp. He then signed with the Atlanta Falcons and was released after a week with the team. He joined the Giants’ practice squad on Oct. 5, 2020, and signed a reserve/futures contract with the team in January.

In his three preseason appearances with the Giants, Moa totaled nine tackles, including five solo, and forced two fumbles.

Moa, who received all-Mountain West recognition in 2016, ‘17 and ‘19, spent six seasons at Boise State. He redshirted as a freshman and then received an extra year of eligibility after missing the majority of the 2018 season with a partially torn Achilles tendon. Moa played in 46 games for the Broncos, with 39 starts, and recorded 93 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.

BOISE STATE

TE, John Bates, No. 87 Washington Football Team: Came off the bench and played 11 snaps on offense (15%) and eight on special teams (42%). Bates did not record any stats in Washington’s 24-10 loss to Green Bay.

G, Ezra Cleveland, No. 72 Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings had a Week 7 bye.

CB, Dont’e Deayon, No. 21 Los Angeles Rams: Came off the bench and made three tackles while playing 61 snaps on defense (88%) in the Rams’ 28-19 win against Detroit.

OL, Marcus Henry: The free agent was one of five players who worked out for the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday, according to nfldraftdiamonds.com. Henry was in training camp with the Cardinals and played in two preseason games.

WR, John Hightower, No. 82 Philadelphia Eagles: Hightower is a member of the Eagles’ practice squad and was not called up for their 33-22 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

DE, DeMarcus Lawrence, No. 90 Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys had a Week 7 bye.

OT, Charles Leno Jr., No. 72 Washington Football Team: Started at left tackle and played all 72 snaps on offense and three on special teams (16%) as Washington fell 24-10 to Green Bay.

RB, Alexander Mattison, No. 25 Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings had a Week 7 bye.

RB, Jeremy McNichols, No. 28 Tennessee Titans: Came off the bench and caught one pass for 10 yards. McNichols played 10 snaps on offense (15%) as the Titans beat Kansas City 27-3.

DT, David Moa, No. 96 New York Giants: Moa was called up from the Giants’ practice squad for his first regular-season game. He played seven snaps on defense (11%) and one on special teams but did not record any stats in the Giants’ 25-3 win over Carolina.

G, John Molchon, No. 75 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Molchon was activated from injured reserve last week and signed to the Bucs’ practice squad. He was not called up for the Bucs’ 38-3 rout of Chicago.

C, Matt Paradis (Council High), No. 61 Carolina Panthers: Started at center and played all 64 snaps on offense as the Panthers lost 25-3 to the N.Y. Giants.

QB, Brett Rypien, No. 4 Denver Broncos: Rypien was not on the Broncos’ active roster for their 17-14 loss to Cleveland.

S, Darian Thompson, No. 23 Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys had a Week 7 bye.

ILB, Tanner Vallejo, No. 51 Arizona Cardinals: Came off the bench and played 11 snaps on defense (20%) and 17 on special teams (65%) but did not record any stats as the Cardinals beat Houston 31-5.

LB, Leighton Vander Esch (Salmon River High), No. 55 Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys had a Week 7 bye.

DE, Curtis Weaver, No. 59 Cleveland Browns: Weaver is a member of the Browns’ practice squad and was not called up for their 17-14 win over Denver.

CB, Avery Williams, No. 35 Atlanta Falcons: Williams was on the Falcons’ inactive list (hamstring) for their 30-28 win over Miami.

WR, Cedrick Wilson, No. 1 Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys had a Week 7 bye.

IDAHO

WR, Jeff Cotton, No. 88 Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags had a Week 7 bye.

G/T, Jesse Davis, No. 77 Miami Dolphins: Started at right tackle and played all 73 snaps on offense and five on special teams (18%) in the Dolphins’ 30-28 loss to Atlanta.

LB, Kaden Elliss, No. 55 New Orleans Saints: Came off the bench and played five snaps on defense (9%) and 22 on special teams (88%) but did not record any stats in the Saints’ 13-10 win over Seattle.

DE, Benson Mayowa, No. 10 Seattle Seahawks: Started at outside linebacker and totaled two tackles while playing 58 snaps (78%) on defense in the Seahawks’ 13-10 loss to New Orleans.

RB, Elijhaa Penny, No. 39 New York Giants: Came off the bench and totaled 24 yards on nine carries and also made one assisted tackle on special teams. Penny played 22 snaps on offense (31%) and 17 on special teams (63%) as the Giants beat Carolina 25-3.

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 17-14 win over Denver.

QB, Taysom Hill (Highland High), No. 7 New Orleans Saints: Hill was on the inactive list (concussion) for the Saints’ 13-10 win over Seattle.

OL, Tristen Hoge (Highland High), Cleveland Browns: Hoge is a member of the Browns’ practice squad and was not called up for their 17-14 win over Denver.

DT, Tommy Togiai (Highland High), No. 93 Cleveland Browns: Togiai was on the Browns’ inactive roster for the seventh straight game.

DL, Jonah Williams (Rocky Mountain High), No. 92 Los Angeles Rams: Came off the bench and made one tackle in the fourth quarter. Williams played eight snaps on defense (12%) and six on special teams (24%) as the Rams topped Detroit 28-19.

Note: There are currently no players from Idaho State listed on an NFL roster.