Nov. 8, 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 nine of the 2011 season include Navorro Bowman helping the San Francisco 49ers move to 7-1 on the year with a strong defensive effort, another fourth quarter comeback by Kareem McKenzie and the New York Giants, and a perfect day for Chicago kicker Robbie Gould. In other news, punter Jeremy Kapinos returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers and offensive tackle Dennis Landolt was re-signed to the New York Jets' practice squad.
Anthony Adams (1999-02), DT, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears 30, Philadelphia Eagles 24
Adams was on the inactive list for the Bears' Monday night win over the Eagles.
Navorro Bowman (2007-09), LB, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers 19, Washington Redskins 11
Bowman had another productive day from his inside linebacker spot, recording eight tackles, including seven solos, two passes defensed, and one fumble recovery, as the 49ers moved to 7-1.
Levi Brown (2003-06), OT, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals 19, St. Louis Rams 13 (OT)
Brown made his 67th career start for Arizona, anchoring its offensive line from his left tackle spot, as the Cardinals won at home over St. Louis.
Deon Butler (2005-08), WR, Seattle Seahawks
Dallas Cowboys 23, Seattle Seahawks 13
Butler remains on Seattle's physically unable to perform (PUP) list for the third week since becoming eligible to be added to the active roster. He continues to practice, but is not fully fit to play. Butler is still recovering from a broken leg suffered late in 2010.
Kerry Collins (1992-94), QB, Indianapolis Colts
Atlanta Falcons 31, Indianapolis Colts 7
Collins, the longest active NFL tenured Nittany Lion, in his 17th professional season, was placed on injured reserve on October 25 and will miss the remainder of the 2011 season.
Dan Connor (2004-07), LB, Carolina Panthers
BYE
Connor, Carolina's starting middle linebacker, ranks second on the team in tackles with 44 (34 solos).
John Gilmore (1999-01), TE, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints 27, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16
Gilmore earned the start in New Orleans' two tight end set, making one catch for nine yards.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears 30, Philadelphia Eagles 24
Gould connected on all three of his field goal attempts, hitting from 51, 38, and 22 yards, and was 3-for-3 on PATs, as the Bears gained a key conference road win in Philadelphia.
Tamba Hali (2002-05), LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins 31, Kansas City Chiefs 3
Hali had two solo tackles and one quarterback hit in Kansas City's home loss to Miami.
Josh Hull (2006-09), LB, St. Louis Rams
Arizona Cardinals 19, St. Louis Rams 13 (OT)
Hull saw action but did not have a tackle in the Rams' road loss to Arizona.
Bryant Johnson (1999-02), WR, Houston Texans
Houston Texans 30, Cleveland Browns 12
Johnson saw playing time but did not record any stats on offense or special teams.
Jeremy Kapinos (2003-06), P, Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore Ravens 23, Pittsburgh Steelers 20
Kapinos was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team he spent the 2010 season with, on November 5. In his first game back, a Sunday night match-up with rival Baltimore, he punted three times, averaging 33.3 yards per kick, with a long of 41 yards.
Jimmy Kennedy (1999-02), DT, New York Giants
New York Giants 24, New England Patriots 20
Kennedy was inactive for the Giants' game with New England.
Justin King (2005-07), CB, St. Louis Rams
Arizona Cardinals 19, St. Louis Rams 13 (OT)
King returned to the line-up after missing last week with a hamstring injury, starting at left cornerback. He totaled five tackles, including three solos.
Dennis Landolt (2007-09), OT, New York Jets
New York Jets 27, Buffalo Bills 11
Landolt was re-signed to the New York Jets' practice squad on October 31.
Sean Lee (2005-07, 2009), LB, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys 23, Seattle Seahawks 13
Lee was inactive for Dallas' game with Seattle after suffering a dislocated left wrist the week prior versus Philadelphia. He hopes to return in week 10 when the Cowboys host Buffalo.
Aaron Maybin (2007-08), LB, New York Jets
New York Jets 27, Buffalo Bills 11
Maybin registered one quarterback hit in the Jets' key divisional win over Buffalo.
Kareem McKenzie (1997-00), OT, New York Giants
New York Giants 24, New England Patriots 20
McKenzie made his 145th start at right tackle for New York on Sunday, as the Giants came from behind once again, posting 14 fourth quarter points to defeat New England on the road.
Jordan Norwood (2005-08), WR, Cleveland Browns
Houston Texans 30, Cleveland Browns 12
Norwood had one catch of six yards in Cleveland's loss to Houston.
Ollie Ogbu (2007-10), DT, Indianapolis Colts
Atlanta Falcons 31, Indianapolis Colts 7
Ogbu is a member of the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad.
Jared Odrick (2006-09), DT, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins 31, Kansas City Chiefs 3
Odrick started at nose tackle, sacking Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel once.
Rich Ohrnberger (2006-08), OG, New England Patriots
New York Giants 24, New England Patriots 20
Ohrnberger was placed on injured reserve on September 3 and will miss the 2011 season.
Scott Paxson (2003-05), OG, Cleveland Browns
Houston Texans 30, Cleveland Browns 12
Paxson played as part of Cleveland's defensive line rotation but did not record a tackle.
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
BYE
Posluszny, Jacksonville's starting middle linebacker, leads the team in total tackles with 66 (41 solos).
Andrew Quarless (2006-09), TE, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers 45, San Diego Chargers 38
Quarless started in Green Bay's two tight end set but did not have a reception.
Michael Robinson (2002-05), RB, Seattle Seahawks
Dallas Cowboys 23, Seattle Seahawks 13
Robinson had one special teams tackle in Seattle's loss to Dallas.
Evan Royster (2007-10), RB, Washington Redskins
San Francisco 49ers 19, Washington Redskins 11
Royster, Penn State's all-time leading rusher, is a member of the Washington Redskins' practice squad.
Bryan Scott (1999-02), S, Buffalo Bills
New York Jets 27, Buffalo Bills 11
Scott made four total tackles (three solos) and had one pass defensed in Buffalo's divisional loss to the Jets.
Tim Shaw (2002, 2004-06), LB, Tennessee Titans
Cincinnati Bengals 24, Tennessee Titans 17
Shaw made two solo special teams tackles in the Titans' loss to the Bengals.
Cameron Wake (2000, 2002-04), LB, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins 31, Kansas City Chiefs 3
Wake registered three tackles (two solos), including a half-sack for a loss of 3.5 yards, in Miami's road rout of Kansas City.
Stefen Wisniewski (2007-10), OL, Oakland Raiders
Denver Broncos 38, Oakland Raiders 24
Starting his eighth consecutive game at left guard, Wisniewski and the Raiders offense amassed 416 yards of total offense and posted 24 points in a home loss to divisional foe Denver.