It’s not often that you know something is the “Fill in the Blank of the Year” as it happens, but there’s not likely to be a catch by a Long Beach NFL player this year that tops the one JuJu Smith-Schuster hauled in on Sunday for the Steelers in a narrow Pittsburgh win over the Bengals.
Smith-Schuster had another exceptional game, hauling in seven catches for 111 yards, both game highs. That brings his season total to 63 catches for 561 yards, and it was his fourth 100-yard game of the season.
It was late in the first half with the game tied 7-7 when Ben Roesthlisberger launched a pass at Smith-Schuster, but underthrew it. The ball was headed straight for the chest of the Bengals defensive back guarding Smith-Schuster, but the Poly alum jumped up and snatched the ball over the Bengals defender’s helmet. The two went to the ground together, with Smith-Schuster landing on his helmet and skidding towards the end zone, eventually flipping over and pulling the ball out of the defender’s hands.
An official ruled him down at the one-yard line, but the Steelers scored shortly after and went on to win the game by one score, putting their record at 3-2-1.
JuJu Smith-Schuster on X (formerly Twitter): “Touchdown or Nah?????? 😫 CMON MAN!!! 😂 pic.twitter.com/SAIDgzQbt5 / X”
Touchdown or Nah?????? 😫 CMON MAN!!! 😂 pic.twitter.com/SAIDgzQbt5
Long Beach Poly
It was a frustrating day for the Titans and Poly grads Jurrell Casey and Jayon Brown, two of the team’s top players. The Titans defense got absolutely no help from the team’s offense, which put up zero points in a 21-0 loss. Casey and Brown tied for second on the team with seven tackles apiece but spent way too much time on the field, wishing for the football version of run support.
Brown is now the Titans’ leading tackler by five tackles.
DeSean Jackson’s Buccaneers had a frustrating 34-29 loss despite four catches for 77 yards.
Jamize Olawale’s Cowboys blew out the Jaguars in a surprising 40-7 victory, and the blocking fullback even got his hands on the ball with a three-yard catch. Kaelin Clay continues to wait for a phone call after being released from the Giants, and JoJo Wicker remains on Washington’s practice squad.
Wilson
Joel Bitonio’s Browns took a big step back after a win two weeks ago. Cleveland lost 38-14 to the Chargers.
Others
Three other Moore League products were inactive for this week’s games as Compton’s Datone Jones remains on the Cowboys’ injured reserve, Lakewood’s Matt Pryor has yet to crack the active gameday roster for the Eagles, and Jordan’s John Ross was out with a groin injury for the Bengals.
