Nov. 30, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. -
A total of 30 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.
Cowboys' linebacker Sean Lee led a quartet of former Nittany Lions on Thanksgiving, making 14 tackles in a win over the Redskins. Anthony Zettel opened for former Penn Staters with a tackle in the day's first game, helping his current Lions defeat the Vikings. Lee and Jack Crawford played in the second contest, while tight end Jesse James started in the nightcap for the Steelers in a win over the Colts. Sunday standouts included the Chiefs' Tamba Hali, who made a crucial sack in an eventual overtime win over the Broncos and rookie cornerback Trevor Williams of the Chargers, who made his first career start and recovered a fumble.
Adrian Amos (2011-14), FS, Chicago Bears
Titans 27, Bears 21
Amos started for the Bears and had four solo tackles with one tackle for a loss and a pass breakup against the Titans.
Deion Barnes (2012-14), LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs 30, Broncos 27
Barnes is on the Chiefs practice squad.
Navorro Bowman (2007-09), LB, San Francisco 49ers
Dolphins 31, 49ers 24
Bowman is out for the season with a torn Achilles.
Kyle Carter (2012-15) TE, Minnesota Vikings
Lions 16, Vikings 13
Carter is on the Vikings practice squad.
Jack Crawford (2008-11), DE, Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys 31, Redskins 26
Crawford saw action on Thanksgiving in the Cowboys' defeat over the Redskins.
Garry Gilliam (2010-12), T, Seattle Seahawks
Buccaneers 14, Seahawks 5
Gilliam started for the Seahawks in Week 12.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, New York Giants
Giants 27, Browns 13
Gould was 3-for-4 on extra points.
Christian Hackenberg (2013-15), QB, New York Jets
Patriots 22, Jets 17
Hackenberg was inactive for Week 12.
Tamba Hali (2002-05), LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs 30, Broncos 27
Hali started against the Broncos and recorded five solo tackles. He also had one sack for a loss of seven yards in OT.
Chris Hogan (men's lacrosse 2007-10), WR, New England Patriots
Patriots 22, Jets 17
Hogan started for the Patriots and recorded four receptions for a total of 70 yards. His longest reception, for 25 yards, was the Patriots' longest play in the game.
Gerald Hodges (2009-12), LB, San Francisco 49ers
Dolphins 31, 49ers 24
Hodges started for the 49ers and recorded five total tackles, two of which were solo.
Mike Hull (2011-14), LB, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins 31, 49ers 24
Hull saw action on special teams, recording one solo and three assisted tackles.
Jesse James (2012-14), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 28, Colts 7
James started for the Steelers in their win over the Colts on Thanksgiving.
DaQuan Jones (2010-13), DE, Tennessee Titans
Titans 27, Bears 21
Jones started for the Titans in Week 12.
Austin Johnson (2012-15) DT, Tennessee Titans
Titans 27, Bears 21
Johnson recorded one solo tackle in the Titans' win over the Bears.
Sean Lee (2005-07, 2009), MLB, Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys 31, Redskins 26
Lee started for the Cowboys and led the team with 14 tackles, nine of which were solo, and had an interception on a two-point conversion attempt in a win over the Redskins on Thanksgiving. Lee ranks fourth in the NFL with 105 tackles on the season.
Jordan Lucas (2012-15), CB, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins 31, 49ers 24
Lucas was not active in week twelve.
Michael Mauti (2008, 2010-12), LB, New Orleans Saints
Saints 49, Rams 21
Mauti was placed on a non-football injury list and is out for the season.
Matt McGloin (2010-12), QB, Oakland Raiders
Raiders 35, Panthers 32
McGloin saw his first action of the season, as he entered in the third quarter against the Panthers. He had one incomplete pass on four snaps.
Carl Nassib (2011-15), DE, Cleveland Browns
Giants 27, Browns 13
Nassib recorded three solo tackles against the Giants.
Jordan Norwood (2005-08), WR, Denver Broncos
Chiefs 30, Broncos 27
Norwood saw action against the Chiefs and had five punt returns for a total of 14 yards.
Jared Odrick (2006-09), DE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bills 28, Jaguars 21
Odrick did not play against the Bills due to a shoulder injury.
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bills 28, Jaguars 21
Posluszny recorded six tackles, including two in the backfield.
Allen Robinson (2011-13), WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bills 28, Jaguars 21
Robinson started against the Bills and had two receptions for 24 yards.
A.Q. Shipley (2005-08), C, Arizona Cardinals
Falcons 38, Cardinals 19
Shipley started at center against the Falcons and made a tackle following an interception.
Donovan Smith (2012-13), OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buccaneers 14, Seahawks 5
Smith started for the Buccaneers as they did not allow a sack in their win over the Seahawks.
Devon Still (2007-11), DT, Houston Texans
Chargers 21, Texans 13
Still is on injured reserve with a foot injury.
Nate Stupar (2008-11), LB, New Orleans Saints
Saints 49, Rams 21
Stupar saw action on defense and special teams, recording one solo tackle for each.
Ross Travis (men's basketball 2011-14), TE, Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs 30, Broncos 27
Travis was inactive in week 12.
John Urschel (2011-13), OL, Baltimore Ravens
Ravens 19, Bengals 14
Urschel saw action in the Ravens' win over the Bengals.
Cameron Wake (2000, 02-04) DE, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins 31, 49ers 24
Wake started for the Dolphins and had two solo tackles and one assisted tackle. He also had one sack for a loss of nine yards.
Trevor Wiliams (2012-15) CB, San Diego Chargers
Chargers 21, Texans 13
Williams made his first career start against the Texans. Williams recorded two tackles and recovered a fumble, helping the Chargers defeat the Texans.
Stefen Wisniewski (2007-10), C, Philadelphia Eagles
Packers 27, Eagles 13
Wisniewski started for the third time this season.
Anthony Zettel, 2012-2015, DL, Detroit Lions
Lions 16, Vikings 13
Zettel recorded one tackle in the Lions' win over the Vikings.