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Watch: Former Illini DB Kerby Joseph Grabs Another Pick

Joseph continued his stellar play for the Detroit Lions with his fifth interception of the NFL season
Jackson Langendorf|
Sep 30, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Eamon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Sep 30, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Eamon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Eamon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Detroit LionsTennessee TitansIllinois Fighting Illini

Up 21-14 early in the second quarter of Sunday's matchup with the Tennessee Titans, the Detroit Lions appeared headed for a shootout.

Tennessee quarterback Mason Rudolph had gotten off to a hot start, having already found the end zone twice – once on the ground and once through the air.

In search of a chunk play on Tennessee’s first snap of the drive, Rudolph took a shot 20 yards downfield to his receiver running a crossing pattern.

Positioned over the top, Lions safety Kerby Joseph – a former Illinois defensive back – was there to pick it off and return it to the Titans' 12, setting up his offense to start with the ball deep in the red zone.

A few plays later, Lions quarterback Jared Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown on a 1-yard pass for a score, extending Detroit's lead to 28-14.

Joseph and the Lions defense held the Titans scoreless for the remainder of the game, helping propel Detroit to a 52-14 victory.

He finished with six tackles and two passes defended to go along with his fifth interception of the season – good for the second-highest individual total in the NFL in 2024 (behind only Green Bay’s Xavier McKinney).

Sitting atop the loaded NFC North with a 6-1 record, the Lions head to Green Bay next weekend for a divisional showdown with McKinney and the 6-2 Packers.

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

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Instant Analysis: No. 1 Oregon Defeats No. 20 Illinois 38-9

Illinois Football Postgame Injury Update: Receiver Pat Bryant and Others

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Jackson Langendorf
JACKSON LANGENDORF

Primarily covers Illinois football and basketball, and Kansas basketball, with an emphasis on analysis, features and recruiting. Langendorf, a third-generation University of Illinois alum, has been watching Illini basketball and football for as long as he can remember. An advertising student and journalism devotee, he has been writing for On SI since October 2024. He can be followed and reached on X @jglangendorf.

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