Dec. 13, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - A total of 28 Penn State football alumni are populating the rosters of 21 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 has provided updates on the exploits of these former Nittany Lion greats.
A career night for Jesse James and the return of three from injury were among the highlights for Nittany Lions in the NFL for Week 14. James was a huge factor in the Steelers win on Sunday Night Football, as the tight end made 10 receptions for 97 yards in a crucial one-point win over the Ravens. Linebacker Sean Lee (Cowboys), linebacker Tamba Hali (Chiefs) and wide receiver Chris Hogan (Patriots), a Penn State men's lacrosse alum, all returned to the field after missing time due to injury, with Lee making the biggest impact with a season-high 18 tackles. Additionally, defensive lineman Austin Johnson made his first career start for the Titans, Navorro Bowman continued to be productive at linebacker for the Raiders and Robbie Gould went 4-for-4 on field goals to lead the 49ers to their second-straight win.
Adrian Amos (2011-14) FS, Chicago Bears
Bears 33, Bengals 7
Amos was inactive against the Bengals with a hamstring injury.
Brandon Bell (2013-16) LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Bears 33, Bengals 7
Bell is on the Bengals practice squad.
Navorro Bowman (2007-09) LB, Oakland Raiders
Chiefs 26, Raiders 15
Bowman made a game-high nine tackles, including eight solo. He also had one sack and one pass breakup.
Kyle Carter (2012-15) TE, Minnesota Vikings
Panthers 31, Vikings 24
Carter is on the Vikings practice squad.
Jack Crawford (2008-11) DE, Atlanta Falcons
Falcons 20, Saints 17
Crawford is on injured reserve with a torn bicep.
Garry Gilliam (2010-12) T, San Francisco 49ers
49ers 26, Texans 16
Gilliam is on injured reserve with an MCL injury.
Chris Godwin (2014-16) WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lions 24, Buccaneers 21
Godwin led the Bucs with five catches for 68 yards.
Robbie Gould (2001-04) K, San Francisco 49ers
49ers 26, Texans 16
Gould converted all four of his field goal attempts and is now 30-for-32 on field goals on the year.
Christian Hackenberg (2013-15) QB, New York Jets
Broncos 23, Jets 0
Hackenberg was inactive this week.
Tamba Hali (2002-05) LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs 26, Raiders 15
Hali registered a quarterback hit as he returned from injury for his third game of the season.
Jordan Hill (2009-12) DT, Detroit Lions
Lions 24, Buccaneers 21
Hill is on injured reserve with a bicep injury.
Chris Hogan (men's lacrosse - 2007-10) WR, New England Patriots
Dolphins 27, Patriots 20
Hogan returned from injury and caught one pass.
Mike Hull (2011-14) LB, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins 27, Patriots 20
Hull made two tackles on special teams as the Dolphins earned a win over the Patriots on Monday Night Football.
Jesse James (2012-14) TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 39, Ravens 38
James had a career night helping the Steelers clinch the AFC North division, as he set career highs with 10 catches for 97 yards. One of his biggest catches came on Pittsburgh's game-winning drive with a 16-yard reception on third-and-14.
DaQuan Jones (2010-13) DE, Tennessee Titans
Cardinals 12, Titans 7
Jones was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn bicep muscle in Week 13.
Austin Johnson (2012-15) DT, Tennessee Titans
Cardinals 12, Titans 7
With fellow Penn State alum DaQuan Jones out for the season due to injury, Johnson drew his first career start, lining up at defensive end. He registered one tackle.
Sean Lee (2005-07, 2009) MLB, Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys 30, Giants 10
Lee made a big return from injury, recording a game- and season-high 18 tackles and his 13th career interception in a win over the Giants.
Jordan Lucas (2012-15) CB, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins 27, Patriots 20
Lucas had one tackle on special teams in a win over the Patriots on Monday Night Football.
Michael Mauti (2008-12) LB, New Orleans Saints
Falcons 20, Saints 17
Mauti gave the Saints a chance to tie the game or go ahead by forcing a fumble deep in Falcons territory in the final minute, but Atlanta recovered and ran out the clock out to end the game. Mauti registered two tackles on defense and saw action on special teams.
Carl Nassib (2011-15) DE, Cleveland Browns
Packers 27, Browns 21
Nassib started at defensive end for the Browns and tallied two tackles, a quarterback hit and a pass breakup.
Paul Posluszny (2003-06) LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars 30, Seahawks 24
Posluszny made four tackles, including two behind the line, in a win over the Seahawks.
Allen Robinson (2011-13) WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars 30, Seahawks 24
Robinson is on injured reserve with an ACL injury to his left knee.
A.Q. Shipley (2005-08) C, Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals 12, Titans 7
Shipley started at center for the Cardinals, making his 28th consecutive start, and played on all of the offensive snaps.
Donovan Smith (2012-13) T, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lions 24, Buccaneers 21
Smith started at left tackle and has started all 43 games of his NFL career. Smith helped quarterback Jameis Winston throw for 285 yards and two touchdowns on 38 pass attempts.
Nate Stupar (2008-11) LB, New Orleans Saints
Falcons 20, Saints 17
Stupar is on injured reserve with a torn ACL.
Ross Travis (men's basketball - 2011-14) TE, Indianapolis Colts
Bills 13, Colts 7
Travis made his debut with the Colts in a snowy game in Buffalo, and was targeted twice.
Cameron Wake (2000, 02-04) DE, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins 27, Patriots 20
Wake started at defensive end and tallied a quarterback hit in a Monday night win over the Patriots.
Trevor Williams (2012-15) CB, Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers 30, Redskins 13
Williams started at cornerback for the Chargers and made three tackles and one pass breakup.
Stefen Wisniewski (2007-10) G/C, Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles 43, Rams 35
Wisniewski started at left guard on a line that yielded just two sacks on 51 pass attempts.
Anthony Zettel (2012-15) DL, Detroit Lions
Lions 24, Buccaneers 21
Zettel started for the Lions and made two tackles and had a quarterback hit against the Buccaneers.