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Watch: Former Illini Kerby Joseph Scores Pick-Six vs. Green Bay

The former Illini defensive back snares his sixth interception of 2024, extends Detroit's lead to 17-3
Jackson Langendorf|
Oct 27, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) steps in front of Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) to intercept the ball in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Oct 27, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) steps in front of Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) to intercept the ball in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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With the Detroit Lions up 10-3 against the Green Bay Packers with less than a minute left before halftime in their Sunday afternoon game, the visiting Lions were hoping to come up with one more stop after holding the Packers to just a first-half field goal at Lambeau Field.

Just as he has been throughout the season for the NFC North-leading Lions, defensive back Kerby Joseph was right on time.

On second-and-2 at the Packers' 38, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love was forced backwards by a Detroit blitz. Looking to avoid a sack and hoping running back Josh Jacobs would be able to turn a short completion upfield into a solid gain, Love took aim and fired – but never connected.

That's because Joseph, a former Illini, was already in the backfield, having blitzed from his safety spot to intercept and haul it the other direction, untouched, for a score.

With a pick-six on his sixth pick of the season – yeah, you see what we did there – Joseph is now tied for the NFL lead in interceptions.

In a matchup to determine the division leader, Joseph broke the game open, extending the Lions' lead to 17-3, which they took into the break.

Love began the game as questionable because of a groin injury and, despite appearing to struggle in the first half with a limp, is expected to return to action in the second half.

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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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