WATCH: Formers Cobbers receiver Brandon Zylstra nabs first NFL touchdown catch

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon Zylstra (16) celebrates his touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Jim Dedmon / USA TODAY Sports

By Eric Peterson

September 19, 2021 12:28 PM

FARGO — Former Concordia Cobbers wide receiver Brandon Zylstra caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold on Saturday, giving Zylstra his first NFL touchdown catch.

Zylstra's catch gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead against the New Orleans Saints with 12 minutes to play in the first quarter. He scored a special teams touchdown for the Panthers last season off a muffed punt. The Panthers went on to earn a 26-7 victory. Zylstra finished with three catches for 44 yards and a TD.

Zylstra is in his fourth season in the NFL, spending the past three with the Panthers. He played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2018.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Zylstra played three seasons for the Cobbers from 2013-2015. Zylstra, from Spicer, Minn., had 120 catches for 1,932 yards and 18 touchdowns during his Concordia career. He averaged 16.1 yards per catch for the Cobbers, playing in 29 games.

Brandon Zylstra's first NFL touchdown!

: FOX pic.twitter.com/ZdTIKagbcT
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 19, 2021

Related Topics: FOOTBALL

By Eric Peterson

Peterson covers college athletics for The Forum, including Concordia College and Minnesota State Moorhead. He also covers the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks independent baseball team and helps out with North Dakota State football coverage. Peterson has been working at the newspaper since 1996.

WATCH: Formers Cobbers receiver Brandon Zylstra nabs first NFL touchdown catch

Former Concordia College wide receiver Brandon Zylstra, who now plays for the Carolina Panthers, caught his first NFL touchdown against the New Orleans Saints.