Oct. 11, 2011
With 31 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 five of the 2011 season include Robbie Gould connecting on two field goals to remain perfect on the year and Tim Shaw blocking a punt to set up a touchdown. In other news, Brett Brackett (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Dennis Landolt (New York Jets) are signed to practice squads.
Anthony Adams (1999-02), DT, Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions 24, Chicago Bears 13
Adams played as a reserve nose tackle in the Bears' defensive line rotation, making two stops.
Navorro Bowman (2007-09), LB, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers 48, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3
Bowman finished second on the team with six stops, including five solo tackles, helping the San Francisco defense to hold Tampa Bay to just three points and 272 total yards.
Brett Brackett (2007-10), TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Cincinnati Bengals 30, Jacksonville Jaguars 20
After spending training camp with Miami and the first four weeks of the 2011 season on its practice squad, Brackett was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on October 7.
Levi Brown (2003-06), OT, Arizona Cardinals
Minnesota Vikings 34, Arizona Cardinals 10
Brown made his 64th career start, anchoring the Cardinals' offensive line from his left tackle spot.
Deon Butler (2005-08), WR, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks 36, New York Giants 25
Butler is currently on Seattle's physically unable to perform (PUP) list, meaning he will miss the first six weeks of the 2011 season. Butler is still recovering from a broken leg suffered late in 2010.
Kerry Collins (1992-94), QB, Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs 28, Indianapolis Colts 24
Collins was inactive for the second consecutive game, as he continues to recover from a concussion suffered in week three. Collins is the longest active NFL tenured Nittany Lion, playing in his 17th professional season.
Dan Connor (2004-07), LB, Carolina Panthers
New Orleans Saints 30, Carolina Panthers 27
Connor made four tackles, including three solo stops, in Carolina's narrow loss to the Saints.
John Gilmore (1999-01), TE, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints 30, Carolina Panthers 27
Gilmore played but did not have a catch in New Orleans' win over Carolina.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions 24, Chicago Bears 13
Gould remained perfect on the season, connecting on field goals of 44 and 49 yards and converting on his lone PAT.
Tamba Hali (2002-05), LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs 28, Indianapolis Colts 24
Hali had four tackles, including one for a loss, in Kansas City's win over Indianapolis.
Josh Hull (2006-09), LB, St. Louis Rams
BYE
Hull has seen action in all four games this season, primarily on special teams.
Bryant Johnson (1999-02), WR, Houston Texans
Oakland Raiders 25, Houston Texans 20
Johnson was active but did not play in Houston's loss to the Raiders.
Jimmy Kennedy (1999-02), DT, New York Giants
Seattle Seahawks 36, New York Giants 25
Kennedy, a back-up defensive lineman for the Giants, made one tackle in New York's loss to Seattle.
Justin King (2005-07), CB, St. Louis Rams
BYE
King has emerged as one of St. Louis' top defenders, tying for the team lead in solo tackles with 23. He also has one sack, one interception, and one fumble recovery.
Dennis Landolt (2007-09), OT, New York Jets
New England Patriots 30, New York Jets 21
After spending the first four weeks of the 2011 NFL season on the New Orleans Saints' practice squad, Landolt was added to the New York Jets' practice squad on October 5. He will wear jersey number 76.
Sean Lee (2005-07, 2009), LB, Dallas Cowboys
BYE
Through the 2011 season's first four games, Lee is Dallas' leading tackler, making 35 stops, including 26 solos. Lee also tops the Cowboys with two interceptions.
Aaron Maybin (2007-08), LB, New York Jets
New England Patriots 30, New York Jets 21
Maybin recorded one assisted tackle in the Jets' loss to New England.
Kareem McKenzie (1997-00), OT, New York Giants
Seattle Seahawks 36, New York Giants 25
McKenzie made his 142nd start at right tackle for New York on Sunday, protecting quarterback Eli Manning as he threw for 395 yards and three touchdowns.
Jordan Norwood (2005-08), WR, Cleveland Browns
BYE
Norwood has caught two passes for 25 yards in 2011.
Ollie Ogbu (2007-10), DT, Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs 28, Indianapolis Colts 24
Ogbu is a member of the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad.
Jared Odrick (2006-09), DT, Miami Dolphins
BYE
Playing in all four games, including two starts, Odrick has seven tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble.
Rich Ohrnberger (2006-08), OG, New England Patriots
New England Patriots 30, New York Jets 21
Ohrnberger was placed on injured reserve on September 3 and will miss the 2011 season.
Scott Paxson (2003-05), OG, Cleveland Browns
BYE
Paxson has played in the Browns' defensive line rotation in all four games, making two assisted tackles.
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Cincinnati Bengals 30, Jacksonville Jaguars 20
Posluszny tied for the team lead in tackles, recording nine total, including six solos.
Andrew Quarless (2006-09), TE, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers 25, Atlanta Falcons 14
Quarless was on the inactive list after injuring his knee earlier in the week during practice.
Michael Robinson (2002-05), RB, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks 36, New York Giants 25
Robinson carried the ball three times, gaining five yards, and had two assisted tackles on special teams.
Evan Royster (2007-10), RB, Washington Redskins
BYE
Royster, Penn State's all-time leading rusher, is a member of the Washington Redskins' practice squad.
Bryan Scott (1999-02), S, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills 31, Philadelphia Eagles 24
Scott started in the Bills' five defensive back set, making four solo tackles. He also assisted on a special teams tackle.
Tim Shaw (2002, 2004-06), LB, Tennessee Titans
Pittsburgh Steelers 38, Tennessee Titans 17
Shaw blocked a punt in the fourth quarter of Tennessee's game with Pittsburgh that was recovered by the Titans. After a 10-play drive, Tennessee scored a touchdown to pull within 14 points of the Steelers. He also recorded one solo special teams tackle.
Cameron Wake (2000, 2002-04), LB, Miami Dolphins
BYE
Wake leads the Dolphins in sacks with three.
Stefen Wisniewski (2007-10), OL, Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders 25, Houston Texans 20
Wisniewski made his fifth consecutive start at left guard in his rookie NFL season, helping the Raiders to their third win of the season. Oakland's offense is ranked No. 2 in the NFL in rushing, averaging 161.8 yards per game.