Wake Forest Athletics
Pro Deacs: Week Two
9/16/2025 3:25:00 PM | Football
Kenneth Walker III’s stellar performance leads Pro Deacs in Week Two.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In week two of the 2025 NFL season, Pro Deacs made their return, highlighted by a stellar performance by Kenneth Walker III, solid defensive performances from multiple former Demon Deacons, and Michael Jurgens making an impact on the offensive line during Sunday Night Football.
Walker Shines Against Pittsburgh
After seeing limited action in the first week of the season, running back Kenneth Walker III returned to form with a stellar performance to help lead the Seattle Seahawks to a 31-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Walker led the Seahawks with 105 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries (8.1 yards per rush). He also added one reception for 13 yards, helping him earn a 91.0 offensive grade by Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Over the course of his career, Walker has become one of the premier running backs in the NFL, having totaled 2,653 yards and 25 rushing touchdowns across 44 games. Last season, despite missing time due to injury, Walker added another solid season as he recorded 573 yards and seven rushing scores. Walker has continued that momentum into the 2025 NFL season, as he currently leads all running backs with an 83.2 offensive grade by PFF.
Turner Aids in Rams Dominant Victory
Defensive tackle Kobie Turner added another solid defensive performance this past weekend, helping lead the Los Angeles Rams to a dominant victory over the Tennessee Titans, 33-19. In total, Turner recorded three solo tackles, including his first sack of the 2025 season.
Strnad Adds Another Solid Defensive Performance
Despite falling on a walk-off field goal, linebacker Justin Strnad stood out once again on the defensive side of the ball as he and the Denver Broncos faced off against the Indianapolis Colts. Strnad finished the game with five total tackles with two solo efforts, including his second sack of the season.
Bates and Jurgens Square Off on Sunday Night Football
Week two of the 2025 NFL season also saw the former Demon Deacons square off in primetime action, as Jessie Bates and the Atlanta Falcons came away with the win over Michael Jurgens and the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football.
Bates, who has become one of the best safeties in the league over recent years, recorded three tackles with one solo effort while helping the Falcon defense hold Minnesota to only 198 yards of total offense. Meanwhile, Jurgens saw significant action throughout the game, as he recorded 24 snaps at center for Minnesota, marking a career-high in snaps played as a professional.
Light the Dortch
Wide receiver Greg Dortch continued his stellar play as both a kickoff and punt returner this past weekend as he and the Arizona Cardinals picked up a win over the visiting Carolina Panthers. Dortch totaled 73 return yards during the win, including a 29-yard punt return that helped give the Cardinals excellent field position late in the first half, which later resulted in a touchdown to make it 20-3 before halftime. Dortch currently holds a 69.9 overall return grade, which ranks ninth in the NFL. This includes a 77.2 punt return grade, the third-highest rating among NFL punt returners.
#ProDeacs Week Three Slate (All times eastern)
Walker Shines Against Pittsburgh
After seeing limited action in the first week of the season, running back Kenneth Walker III returned to form with a stellar performance to help lead the Seattle Seahawks to a 31-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Walker led the Seahawks with 105 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries (8.1 yards per rush). He also added one reception for 13 yards, helping him earn a 91.0 offensive grade by Pro Football Focus (PFF).
LET'S GOOOOO
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 14, 2025
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/dy9x8w7hhn
Over the course of his career, Walker has become one of the premier running backs in the NFL, having totaled 2,653 yards and 25 rushing touchdowns across 44 games. Last season, despite missing time due to injury, Walker added another solid season as he recorded 573 yards and seven rushing scores. Walker has continued that momentum into the 2025 NFL season, as he currently leads all running backs with an 83.2 offensive grade by PFF.
Turner Aids in Rams Dominant Victory
Defensive tackle Kobie Turner added another solid defensive performance this past weekend, helping lead the Los Angeles Rams to a dominant victory over the Tennessee Titans, 33-19. In total, Turner recorded three solo tackles, including his first sack of the 2025 season.
Go get him @TurnerKobie 😤 pic.twitter.com/Bq2yEVKGWF
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 14, 2025
Strnad Adds Another Solid Defensive Performance
Despite falling on a walk-off field goal, linebacker Justin Strnad stood out once again on the defensive side of the ball as he and the Denver Broncos faced off against the Indianapolis Colts. Strnad finished the game with five total tackles with two solo efforts, including his second sack of the season.
.@jsgarbs coming through 💪
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 14, 2025
📺: NFL Sunday Ticket On YouTube https://t.co/duCDkGF8qW pic.twitter.com/2Zd2ANraKm
Bates and Jurgens Square Off on Sunday Night Football
Week two of the 2025 NFL season also saw the former Demon Deacons square off in primetime action, as Jessie Bates and the Atlanta Falcons came away with the win over Michael Jurgens and the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football.
Bates, who has become one of the best safeties in the league over recent years, recorded three tackles with one solo effort while helping the Falcon defense hold Minnesota to only 198 yards of total offense. Meanwhile, Jurgens saw significant action throughout the game, as he recorded 24 snaps at center for Minnesota, marking a career-high in snaps played as a professional.
Light the Dortch
Wide receiver Greg Dortch continued his stellar play as both a kickoff and punt returner this past weekend as he and the Arizona Cardinals picked up a win over the visiting Carolina Panthers. Dortch totaled 73 return yards during the win, including a 29-yard punt return that helped give the Cardinals excellent field position late in the first half, which later resulted in a touchdown to make it 20-3 before halftime. Dortch currently holds a 69.9 overall return grade, which ranks ninth in the NFL. This includes a 77.2 punt return grade, the third-highest rating among NFL punt returners.
#ProDeacs Week Three Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 27 defeated Carolina Panthers 22
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 22 defeated Minnesota Vikings 9
- This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Casey Washington (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 22 defeated Minnesota Vikings 9
- This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Boogie Basham (CAR- PS)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 27 defeated Carolina Panthers 22
- This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Baltimore Ravens 41 defeated Cleveland Browns 17
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Ahmani Marshall (CLE - PS)
- Last Week: Baltimore Ravens 41 defeated Cleveland Browns 17
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: Dallas Cowboys 40 defeated New York Giants 37 (OT)
- This Week: Dallas Cowboys vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Indianapolis Colts 29 defeated Denver Broncos 28
- This Week: Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Justin Herron (DET - IR)
- Last Week: Detroit Lions 52 defeated Chicago Bears 21
- This Week: Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC)
- Zach Tom (GB - IR)
- Last Week: Green Bay Packers 27 defeated Washington Commanders 18
- This Week: Green Bay Packers vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Branson Combs (JAX - PS)
- Last Week: Cincinnati Bengals 31 defeated Jacksonville Jaguars 27
- This Week: Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Alex Bachman (LV - PS)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 20 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 9
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (LAC)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 20 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 9
- This Week: Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 33 defeated Tennessee Titans 19
- This Week: Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 22 defeated Minnesota Vikings 9
- This Week: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Ke'Shawn Williams (PIT - PS)
- Last Week: Seattle Seahawks 31 defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 19
- This Week: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Malik Mustapha (SF - IR)
- Last Week: San Francisco 49ers 26 defeated New Orleans Saints 21
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Kenneth Walker III (SEA)
- Last Week: Seattle Seahawks 31 defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 19
- This Week: New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- J.J. Roberts (TB - IR)
- Last Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20 defeated Houston Texans 19
- This Week: New York Jets vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Last Week: Green Bay Packers 27 defeated Washington Commanders 18
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
Players Mentioned
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