Fred Warner wasted no time reminding the NFL what he looks like at full strength.
In his first game back after a season-ending right ankle fracture and dislocation in Week 6 of the 2025 season, the San Francisco 49ers linebacker turned in a classic Warner performance Thursday, helping San Francisco beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 in Melbourne, Australia, in the 2026 season opener for both teams.
Warner finished with a game-high 11 tackles, added a pass deflection and forced a fumble, giving the 49ers the kind of defensive playmaking that swung the game for good in the fourth quarter. With Los Angeles moving near midfield early in the final period, Warner stripped Rams tight end Tyler Higbee, and Keion White recovered the ball at the Los Angeles 43. Four plays later, San Francisco turned that takeaway into a field goal and stretched the lead to 27-7.
The matchup also put two former BYU players on the same international stage, with Warner facing Rams receiver Puka Nacua once again in an NFC West meeting. Nacua was productive, if not flashy, finishing with a team-high five catches for 74 yards in the loss.
Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards, and one of the game’s biggest missed chances came in the second quarter. With the Rams leading and driving for a possible two-score advantage, Stafford looked deep for Nacua, but Renardo Green came down with the interception. San Francisco cashed in nine plays later with a deep touchdown pass to take a 10-7 lead it never gave back.
In Other News...
BYUs Frontcourt Addition Could Matter More Than Fans Realize
BYU has quietly added another layer to its frontcourt with the arrival of Serbian center Petar Ostojic, a 19-year-old seven-footer who already brings professional experience from Serbian leagues. For a roster still taking shape, the move gives the Cougars a bigger body in the paint and a player who can develop behind Jaxon Kohler, a spot that could matter even more if the season starts with questions at center.
Kohlers eligibility for the upcoming season remains unresolved, with a hearing set for Sept. 29, and that uncertainty is what gives Ostojics addition extra weight. If BYU ends up needing immediate size and depth, the Cougars may find that this understated pickup ends up carrying more significance than it first appeared to have. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Secondary Is Still Waiting On One Crucial Return
BYUs defense came out of its season opener with a lopsided win over Utah Tech, but the secondary was left sorting through the fallout after safety Raider Damuni went down with a severe leg injury. The Cougars have already had to reshuffle some things behind the scenes, and defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga has been clear that Damunis absence has forced others into bigger roles sooner than planned.
There is at least a timeline now, and it gives BYU some reason for patience. Poppinga indicated Damuni is aiming to get back after the bye week, with the possibility of returning for either TCU or Notre Dame, while Tommy Prassas has moved into a starting safety spot in the meantime. For a defense trying to stay steady with quarterback Noah Fifita on deck, the next stretch will say plenty about how well the Cougars can hold the line until one of their most important pieces is ready again. [Read more 🡒]
Treyson Bourguet Just Shared Why BYU Means More Than Football
Treyson Bourguet arrived at BYU last year after transferring from Western Michigan, and his role as a backup quarterback has given him a different kind of spotlight than the one most fans usually track. On BYUtvs Sports Nation, he talked about how his time in Provo has shaped more than his game, describing the experience as one that has influenced his life and faith in ways he did not expect.
Bourguet, who said he is spiritual even though he is not a member of the sponsoring faith, spoke openly about football and BYU bringing him closer to Christ. He also pointed to the people around him, thanking teammates and coaches for creating an environment built around a shared desire to be disciples of Christ through football. For BYU, it is the kind of reminder that the programs pull often reaches well beyond the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]