Nov. 18, 2008
With 27 Nittany Lions on National Football League rosters, Penn State is well represented in the professional ranks. Each week throughout the year, www.GoPSUsports.com, will provide updates on the exploits of these former Nittany Lion greats. Highlights from week 11 of the 2008 NFL season include a record breaking performance by Kareem McKenzie and the New York Giants' offense, Bryant Johnson's team-leading receiving effort in a San Francisco 49er win, and Kerry Collins' three passing touchdowns in a 10th-straight victory for the undefeated Tennessee Titans.
Anthony Adams (1999-02), DT, Chicago Bears
Green Bay Packers 37, Chicago Bears 3
Adams was designated inactive for the game.
Jay Alford (2003-06), DT, New York Giants
New York Giants 30, Baltimore Ravens 10
Alford received playing time in the Giants' defensive line rotation, recording one solo tackle.
Levi Brown (2003-06), OT, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals 26, Seattle Seahawks 20
From his right tackle position, Brown served as one of quarterback Kurt Warner's main protectors as he threw for 395 yards and one touchdown in the Cardinals' seventh win of the season. With a four-game lead, Arizona has a stranglehold on first place in the NFC's West Division.
Kerry Collins (1992-94), QB, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans 24, Jacksonville Jaguars 14
For the second straight week, Collins has been the catalyst for and the most effective weapon on the Titans' offense. With the usually-potent Tennessee running game sputtering, he stepped up big time, throwing for 230 yards and a season-high three touchdowns. With the win, the Titans remain undefeated, improving to 10-0.
Dan Connor (2004-07), LB, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers 31, Detroit Lions 22
Connor was placed on injured reserve after suffering a season ending knee injury in Carolina's week three game versus Minnesota.
Bobby Engram (1991, 1993-95), WR, Seattle Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals 26, Seattle Seahawks 20
Engram started at wide receiver, catching two passes for 30 yards.
John Gilmore (1999-01), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19, Minnesota Vikings 13
Gilmore started at tight end for the Buccaneers, catching one pass for four yards. He has 12 receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown this season.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, Chicago Bears
Green Bay Packers 37, Chicago Bears 3
Gould represented the Bears' lone points, connecting on a 35-yard field in the second quarter. He has made 16 of 19 (84.2%) field goal attempts this season.
Tamba Hali (2002-05), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
New Orleans Saints 30, Kansas City Chiefs 20
Hali has been battling an ankle injury and was designated inactive for the game.
Bryant Johnson (1999-02), WR, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers 35, St. Louis Rams 16
Johnson had a team-high four receptions, including a two-yard touchdown grab just before halftime, for 56 yards. He ranks fourth on the team with 23 catches for 281 yards.
Larry Johnson (1999-02), RB, Kansas City Chiefs
New Orleans Saints 30, Kansas City Chiefs 20
Johnson totaled 67 yards on 19 carries and had one reception for 20 yards.
Larry Johnson totaled 87 yards versus the Saints |
Joe Jurevicius (1994-97), WR, Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos 34, Cleveland Browns 30
Jurevicius will miss the remainder of the 2008 season after contracting a serious staph infection following knee surgery. He pledges to return to play for his hometown Browns in 2009.
Jimmy Kennedy (1999-02), DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans 24, Jacksonville Jaguars 14
Kennedy saw action as a back-up defensive tackle, registering one tackle.
Justin King (2005-07), CB, St. Louis Rams
San Francisco 49ers 35, St. Louis Rams 16
King resides on the injured reserve list after tearing a ligament in his left big toe in the Rams' preseason opener.
Calvin Lowry (2002-05), S, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos 24, Atlanta Falcons 20
Lowry started at free safety, tallying two tackles (one solo) and one pass defended.
David Macklin (1996-99), CB, Kansas City Chiefs
New Orleans Saints 30, Kansas City Chiefs 20
Macklin served in a back-up role in the Chiefs' defensive backfield but did not record any stats.
Sean McHugh (2000-03), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 11, San Diego Chargers 10
McHugh started in Pittsburgh's two tight end set, recording one reception for 15 yards.
Kareem McKenzie (1997-00), OT, New York Giants
New York Giants 30, Baltimore Ravens 10
McKenzie was a part of an offensive line that rolled up 207 yards rushing against a Ravens' defense that had been allowing just 65 yards on the ground per game this season. The massive rushing total was the most against Baltimore since 1999. New York is 9-1 and holds a three-game lead in the NFL's most competitive conference, the NFC East.
Scott Paxson (2003-05), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 11, San Diego Chargers 10
Paxson is a member of the Steelers' practice squad.
Anwar Phillips (2002-05), CB, Baltimore Ravens
New York Giants 30, Baltimore Ravens 10
Phillips is a member of the Ravens' practice squad
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns 29, Buffalo Bills 27
Posluszny totaled six tackles, including four solos. He leads the Bills defense with 73 tackles and 60 solos.
Tyler Reed (2003-05), G, Chicago Bears
Green Bay Packers 37, Chicago Bears 3
Reed is a member of the Bears' practice squad.
Michael Robinson (2002-05), RB, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers 35, St. Louis Rams 16
Robinson had his most productive day of the season, carrying the ball three times for 11 yards and catching two passes for 54 yards, including a 36-yard reception. He also assisted on one special teams tackle.
Bryan Scott (1999-02), S, Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns 29, Buffalo Bills 27
Scott saw action as a back-up in the Bills' secondary, registering four solo tackles and two passes defensed.
Isaac Smolko (2003-05), TE, Baltimore Ravens
New York Giants 30, Baltimore Ravens 10
Smolko is a member of the Ravens' practice squad.
Tony Stewart (1997-00), TE, Oakland Raiders
Miami Dolphins 17, Oakland Raiders 15
Stewart caught two passes for 17 yards. He has seven receptions for 43 yards this season.
Kenny Watson (1996, 99-00), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals 13, Philadelphia Eagles 13
Watson carried the ball once and assisted on two special teams tackles.