Beasley adds sack, forced fumble; Forristall makes start in SEC title game
Adairsville's Vic Beasley, Jr., of the Falcons, had a sack and a forced fumble in Atlanta's one-point loss Sunday against the Chiefs. He now leads the NFL in forced fumbles and is second in the league in sacks. Also this past weekend, Cartersville's Miller Forristall made his second start of the season as the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide remained unbeaten and secured a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
Local collegiate football players, Hayes Linn (Air Force) and Hiram Velez (Troy), also learned their bowl game assignments this past weekend.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY, JR. — Atlanta Falcons (2nd yr.; DE/OLB, Clemson, Adairsville HS). . . added a solo tackle, sack, and forced fumble to his season stats Sunday, but the Falcons lost 29-28 to the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. Beasley’s sack and forced fumble came on a first quarter, 3rd and 3 play at the Atlanta 39 yard line. Beasley dropped Chiefs’ quarterback Alex Smith for a four-yard loss and the fumble caused was recovered by the Falcons’ Grady Jarrett. Beasley is now second in the NFL in sacks with 10.5 and leads the league in forced fumbles with five. He trails the Broncos’ Von Miller who has 12.5 sacks on the year. Beasley is also eighth in the league in quarterback hurries with 22.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
MILLER FORRISTALL — (photo left/credit: University of Alabama) University of Alabama (TE, Freshman, Cartersville HS). . . made his second start for the top-ranked Crimson Tide last Saturday in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game against Florida at The Georgia Dome. Forristall did not have a reception, but was part of a two tight end running game formation that rushed for 234 net yards. The Tide accumulated 372 total yards in their 54-16 blowout win. Forristall has played in all 13 games this season and has five receptions for 73 yards with a long catch of 32 yards. Alabama (13-0) faces Washington (12-1) New Year’s Eve in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at The Georgia Dome in Atlanta as one of the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs.
LUCAS JOHNSON (photo right credit: Georgia State University) — Georgia State University (OL, Soph., Cass HS). . . saw playing time in the Panthers’ 37-12 loss at Idaho last Saturday in the Moscow, Idaho Kibbie Dome. Georgia State finished the season 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Sun Belt Conference.
HAYES LINN — Air Force Academy (DB, Senior, Cartersville HS). . . the Falcons did not play this week, but learned their bowl fate. Air Force (9-3) will play South Alabama in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl (Tucson, AZ) December 30. Linn has 31 tackles and three pass break ups this season in 10 games played. He has missed two games due to injuries.
SHELBY TOWNSEND, JR. — (photo left credit: Georgia Southern University) Georgia Southern University (TE, R-Soph., Woodland HS). . . saw action in the Eagles’ 28-24 upset of Troy University last Saturday in Statesboro. Georgia Southern finished the year 5-7 overall and 4-4 in the Sun Belt Conference.
HIRAM VELEZ — Troy University (WR, Junior, Adairsville HS). . . saw action but did not have a reception in the Trojans’ four-point loss at Georgia Southern last Saturday. Velez has 10 receptions on the season for 113 yards and one touchdown. Troy (9-3, 6-2 Sun Belt) will play Ohio University of the Mid-America Conference December 23 in the Dollar General Bowl in Mobile, AL.
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