Sept. 21, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - A total of 28 Penn State football alumni are populating the active rosters of 20 National Football League teams. The Nittany Lions annually are among the top 20 programs nationally in producing players in the NFL. Each week throughout the year, GoPSUsports.com will provide updates on the exploits of these former Nittany Lion greats.
Top performances from Week Two include tight end Jesse James, who hauled in a touchdown pass in a Steelers win over the Bengals, linebackers Navorro Bowman, Gerald Hodges, Sean Lee and Paul Posluszny all recorded double-digit tackles, and Michael Mauti, who earned his first career sack for New Orleans.
Adrian Amos (2011-14), FS, Chicago Bears
Eagles 29, Bears 14
Amos made a pair of tackles, but left the game late in the first half with a possible concussion.
Navorro Bowman (2007-09), LB, San Francisco 49ers
Panthers 46, 49ers 27
Bowman made four solo tackles and assisted on seven others for 11 total tackles, but it was not enough in a 46-27 loss to the defending NFC Champions. Bowman and fellow alum Sean Lee both rank in a five-way tie for 15th in the league with 20 tackles.
Kyle Carter (2012-15) TE, Minnesota Vikings
Vikings 17, Packers 14
Carter is on the practice squad for the Vikings.
Jack Crawford (2008-11), DE, Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys 27, Redskins 23
Crawford recorded his first sack of the season and totaled three tackles in a crucial road win over division foe Washington.
Garry Gilliam (2010-12), T, Seattle Seahawks
Rams 9, Seahawks 3
Gilliam started at right tackle for a second straight week and played on 67 snaps.
Christian Hackenberg (2013-15), QB, New York Jets
Jets 37, Bills 31
Hackenberg was inactive for Week 2.
Tamba Hali (2002-05), LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Texans 19, Chiefs 12
Hali made three stops, including his first sack of the season, but the Texans prevailed.
Chris Hogan (men's lacrosse 2007-10), WR, New England Patriots
Patriots 31, Dolphins 24
Hogan started for a second consecutive week and helped New England build an early lead, catching passes of 19 and 24 yards on the Patriots' second drive of the game, which led to a touchdown. He finished with four catches for 49 yards.
Gerald Hodges (2009-12), LB, San Francisco 49ers
Panthers 46, 49ers 27
Hodges caused a sack-fumble against Cam Newton early in the fourth quarter that San Francisco recovered deep in Carolina territory and turned into a field goal. Hodges also contributed to a combined 10 tackles.
Mike Hull (2011-14), LB, Miami Dolphins
Patriots 31, Dolphins 24
Hull made two tackles on special teams.
Jesse James (2012-14), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 24, Bengals 16
James caught three passes for 29 yards and pulled in his second career touchdown pass to help lead the Steelers past the Bengals.
DaQuan Jones (2010-13), DE, Tennessee Titans
Titans 16, Lions 15
Jones started at defensive end and helped the Titans edge the Lions.
Austin Johnson (2012-15) DT, Tennessee Titans
Titans 16, Lions 15
Johnson was inactive in Week 2
Sean Lee (2005-07, 2009), MLB, Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys 27, Redskins 23
Lee led the Cowboys factoring in on 10 tackles, as Dallas earned a division win on the road. Lee and fellow alum Navorro Bowman are in a five-way tie for 15th in the league with 20 tackles.
Jordan Lucas (2012-15), CB, Miami Dolphins
Patriots 31, Dolphins 24
Lucas was inactive in Week 2
Michael Mauti (2008, 2010-12), LB, New Orleans Saints
Giants 16, Saints 13
Mauti recorded his first career sack and first forced fumble, in addition to four solo tackles.
Matt McGloin (2010-12), QB, Oakland Raiders
Falcons 35, Raiders 28
McGloin made an appearance in loss to the Falcons.
Carl Nassib (2011-15), DE, Cleveland Browns
Ravens 25, Browns 20
Nassib left the game after suffering a broken hand. No timetable has been set for his return.
Jordan Norwood (2005-08), WR, Denver Broncos
Broncos 34, Colts 20
Norwood started and caught three passes for 24 yards in a Broncos win over the Colts. He also returned two punts with a long of 13.
Jared Odrick (2006-09), DE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Chargers 38, Jaguars 14
Odrick started and played 60 perfect of the defensive snaps in loss to the Chargers.
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Chargers 38, Jaguars 14
Posluszny made a team-high 11 tackles, including six solo.
Allen Robinson (2011-13), WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Chargers 38, Jaguars 14
Robinson caught three passes for 54 yards against the Chargers
A.Q. Shipley (2005-08), C, Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals 40, Buccaneers 7
Shipley started at center for the Cardinals and helped pave the way for Carson Palmer to throw for 308 yards and three touchdowns in a rout of the Buccaneers.
Donovan Smith (2012-13), OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cardinals 40, Buccaneers 7
Smith started at left tackle for the Buccaneers against the Cardinals.
Devon Still (2007-11), DT, Houston Texans
Texans 19, Chiefs 12
Still saw action on four snaps in win over the Chiefs.
Nate Stupar (2008-11), LB, New Orleans Saints
Giants 16, Saints 13
Stupar had one tackle on special teams in a narrow loss to the Giants.
Ross Travis (men's basketball 2011-14), TE, Kansas City Chiefs
Texans 19, Chiefs 12
Saw action on offense and on special teams.
John Urschel (2011-13), OL, Baltimore Ravens
Ravens 25, Browns 20
Urschel was inactive for the game.
Cameron Wake (2000, 02-04) DE, Miami Dolphins
Patriots 31, Dolphins 24
Wake saw limited action against the Patriots.
Trevor Wiliams (2012-15) CB, San Diego Chargers
Chargers 38, Jaguars 14
Williams is on the practice squad for the Chargers
Stefen Wisniewski (2007-10), C, Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles 29, Bears 14
Wisniewski played against the Bears.
Anthony Zettel (2012-15), DL, Detroit Lions
Titans 16, Lions 15
Zettel was inactive for Week 2.