Dec. 16, 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 15 of the 2008 NFL season include Larry Johnson's first career touchdown pass and Paul Posluszny's first career interception, a two-forced fumble effort by Tamba Hali, and Robbie Gould's two clutch field goals.
Anthony Adams (1999-02), DT, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears 27, New Orleans Saints 24 (OT)
Adams started at nose tackle for the second straight game, tallying five tackles, all solos.
Jay Alford (2003-06), DT, New York Giants
Dallas Cowboys 20, New York Giants 8
Alford made his second start of the season at defensive tackle, registering two tackles, including a sack of Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. For the season, he has 2.5 sacks.
Levi Brown (2003-06), OT, Arizona Cardinals
Minnesota Vikings 35, Arizona Cardinals 14
Despite the loss, Levi Brown and the Cardinals offense managed to amass 316 total yards, including Kurt Warner's 270 through the air.
Kerry Collins (1992-94), QB, Tennessee Titans
Houston Texans 13, Tennessee Titans 12
Collins completed 15-of-33 passes for 181 yards and had one interception in just the second loss of the season for the Titans.
Dan Connor (2004-07), LB, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers 30, Denver Broncos 10
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
Seattle Seahawks 23, St. Louis Rams 20
Engram came off the bench to catch three passes for 46 yards. He ranks second on the team with 35 receptions for 374 yards.
John Gilmore (1999-01), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Atlanta Falcons 13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10 (OT)
Gilmore caught one pass for 12 yards while serving in a back-up tight end role.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears 27, New Orleans Saints 24 (OT)
Gould was one of the heroes in the Bears' overtime triumph over New Orleans, kicking the last-second game-tying (28 yards) and overtime game-winning (35 yards) field goals.
Tamba Hali had two tackles for loss and two forced fumbles versus the Chargers |
Tamba Hali (2002-05), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
San Diego Chargers 22, Kansas City Chiefs 21
Hali had his best game of the season, registering five tackles, including two for a loss and forcing two fumbles, recovering one.
Bryant Johnson (1999-02), WR, San Francisco 49ers
Miami Dolphins 14, San Francisco 49ers 9
Johnson totaled five receptions for 41 yards. He is second on the team in receiving yards (443) and receiving touchdowns (3) and third in receptions (39).
Larry Johnson (1999-02), RB, Kansas City Chiefs
San Diego Chargers 22, Kansas City Chiefs 21
Johnson became the sixth player in Chiefs' franchise history to rush for a touchdown, catch a touchdown, and pass for a touchdown in a career, when he connected with tight end Tony Gonzalez with a four-yard scoring pass in the fourth quarter. He also rushed for 55 yards and had three receptions for 18 yards.
Joe Jurevicius (1994-97), WR, Cleveland Browns
Philadelphia Eagles 30, Cleveland Browns 10
Jurevicius will miss the remainder of the 2008 season after contracting a serious staph infection following knee surgery. He has pledged to return to play for his hometown Browns in 2009.
Jeremy Kapinos (2003-06), P, Green Bay Packers
Jacksonville Jaguars 20, Green Bay Packers 16
In his second game as a Green Bay Packer, Kapinos punted twice, averaging and netting 43.5 yards per kick. He placed one of his two punts inside the 20-yard line.
Jimmy Kennedy (1999-02), DT, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings 35, Arizona Cardinals 14
Kennedy was designated inactive for the game.
Justin King (2005-07), CB, St. Louis Rams
Seattle Seahawks 23, St. Louis Rams 20
King resides on the injured reserve list after tearing a ligament in his left big toe in the Rams' preseason opener.
David Macklin (1996-99), CB, Kansas City Chiefs
San Diego Chargers 22, Kansas City Chiefs 21
Macklin was designated inactive for the game.
Sean McHugh (2000-03), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Baltimore Ravens 9
McHugh earned playing time as a back-up tight end, catching one pass, the lone reception of the game by a Steelers' tight end, for seven yards.
Larry Johnson threw the first touchdown pass of his career, connecting with tight end Tony Gonzalez |
Kareem McKenzie (1997-00), OT, New York Giants
Dallas Cowboys 20, New York Giants 8
McKenzie suffered a back injury and missed the second half in the loss to the Cowboys. His presence was missed as the Giants, the league No. 1 rushing offense, totaled a season-low 72 yards on the ground.
Scott Paxson (2003-05), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Baltimore Ravens 9
Paxson was designated inactive for the game.
Anwar Phillips (2002-05), CB, Baltimore Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Baltimore Ravens 9
Phillips is a member of the Ravens' practice squad.
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Buffalo Bills
New York Jets 31, Buffalo Bills 27
Posluszny recorded five tackles (four solos), two passes defensed, and his first career interception when he picked off future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre early in the second quarter.
Tyler Reed (2003-05), G, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears 27, New Orleans Saints 24 (OT)
Reed is a member of the Bears' practice squad.
Michael Robinson (2002-05), RB, San Francisco 49ers
Miami Dolphins 14, San Francisco 49ers 9
The 49ers' primary short-yardage back, Robinson carried the ball five times, gaining eight yards. He also caught a season-high four passes for 33 yards.
Bryan Scott (1999-02), S, Buffalo Bills
New York Jets 31, Buffalo Bills 27
Scott started at free safety for the second consecutive game, finishing with six tackles (two solos) and one pass defensed.
Isaac Smolko (2003-05), TE, Baltimore Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Baltimore Ravens 9
A week after being released from the Ravens' practice squad, Smolko was re-signed by Baltimore on Dec. 10.
Tony Stewart (1997-00), TE, Oakland Raiders
New England Patriots 49, Oakland Raiders 26
Stewart saw time as a back-up tight end, totaling two receptions for 22 yards.
Kenny Watson (1996, 99-00), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals 20, Washington Redskins 13
Watson was designated inactive for the game.