Dec. 27, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - A total of 29 Penn State football alumni are populating the rosters of 22 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.
Chris Godwin was a part of Week 16 NFL highlight reels, as he turned an inside slant into a career-long 70-yard reception, while linebacker Sean Lee continued to lead the Cowboys with a 14-tackle effort. Additionally, it was a weekend of firsts as Sam Ficken became the third Nittany Lion to make his NFL debut in the last two weeks, as the kicker was signed by the Rams and contributed in a win over the Titans, and linebacker Brandon Bell made his first pro tackles for the Bengals after debuting last week.
Adrian Amos (2011-14) FS, Chicago Bears
Bears 20, Browns 3
Amos returned from injury and started, making two tackles.
Brandon Bell (2013-16) LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals 26, Lions 17
Bell made his first career tackles, registering one each on defense and special teams.
Navorro Bowman (2007-09) LB, Oakland Raiders
Eagles 19, Raiders 10
Bowman made a team-high seven tackles, including six solo.
Kyle Carter (2012-15) TE, Minnesota Vikings
Vikings 16, Packers 0
Carter played in his second career game.
Jack Crawford (2008-11) DE, Atlanta Falcons
Saints 23, Falcons 13
Crawford is on injured reserve with a torn bicep.
Sam Ficken (2011-14 K, Los Angeles Rams)
Rams 27, Titans 23
Ficken made his NFL debut after the Rams signed him last week to replace an injured Greg Zuerlein. Ficken missed his first field goal and extra point attempt, but rallied to make his final three extra points in the win.
Garry Gilliam (2010-12) T, San Francisco 49ers
49ers 44, Jaguars 33
Gilliam is on injured reserve with an MCL injury.
Chris Godwin (2014-16) WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Panthers 22, Buccaneers 19
Godwin made his second career start and had a career-long 70-yard reception, finishing with three catches for a career-high 98 yards.
Robbie Gould (2001-04) K, San Francisco 49ers
49ers 44, Jaguars 33
Gould converted on a 27-yard field goal and made five extra points. He is 37-for-39 on field goals on the year for a 95 percent conversion rate that ranks second in the NFL this season (minimum 25 attempts) and the best in his 13-year NFL career (minimum 25 attempts). He has made 47-of-49 attempts over the past two seasons.
Christian Hackenberg (2013-15) QB, New York Jets
Chargers 14, Jets 7
Hackenberg was active against the Saints but did not play.
Tamba Hali (2002-05) LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs 29, Dolphins 13
Hali played on 14 snaps in a win over the Dolphins.
Jordan Hill (2009-12) DT, Detroit Lions
Bengals 26, Lions 17
Hill is on injured reserve with a bicep injury.
Chris Hogan (men's lacrosse - 2007-10) WR, New England Patriots
Patriots 37, Bills 16
Hogan was inactive with a shoulder injury. He has missed six out of the last seven games with the injury.
Mike Hull (2011-14) LB, Miami Dolphins
Chiefs 29, Dolphins 13
Hull made a stop on special teams.
Jesse James (2012-14) TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 34, Texans 6
James started in a Christmas Night win over the Texans.
DaQuan Jones (2010-13) DE, Tennessee Titans
Rams 27, Titans 23
Jones was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn bicep muscle in Week 13.
Austin Johnson (2012-15) DT, Tennessee Titans
Rams 27, Titans 23
Johnson made one tackle on defense, seeing action on both defense and special teams.
Sean Lee (2005-07, 2009) MLB, Dallas Cowboys
Seahawks 21, Cowboys 12
Lee made a game-high 14 tackles, including two tackles for loss. He has made 42 stops in the last three games. He is tied for 24th in the NFL in tackles with 94, despite missing five games due to injury.
Jordan Lucas (2012-15) CB, Miami Dolphins
Chiefs 29, Dolphins 13
Lucas saw limited action on defense and extensive action on special teams.
Michael Mauti (2008-12) LB, New Orleans Saints
Saints 23, Falcons 13
Mauti made a tackle on special teams.
Carl Nassib (2011-15) DE, Cleveland Browns
Bears 20, Browns 3
Nassib started at defensive end for the Browns and tallied a tackle for loss.
Paul Posluszny (2003-06) LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
49ers 44, Jaguars 33
Posluszny tied for the team lead with eight tackles.
Allen Robinson (2011-13) WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
49ers 44, Jaguars 33
Robinson is on injured reserve with an ACL injury to his left knee.
A.Q. Shipley (2005-08) C, Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals 23, Giants 0
Shipley started at center for the Cardinals, making his 30th consecutive start, and played on all of the offensive snaps.
Donovan Smith (2012-13) T, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Panthers 22, Buccaneers 19
Smith started at left tackle and has started all 45 games of his NFL career.
Nate Stupar (2008-11) LB, New Orleans Saints
Saints 23, Falcons 13
Stupar is on injured reserve with a torn ACL.
Ross Travis (men's basketball - 2011-14) TE, Indianapolis Colts
Ravens 23, Colts 16
Travis was targeted once in a loss to the Ravens.
Cameron Wake (2000, 02-04) DE, Miami Dolphins
Chiefs 29, Dolphins 13
Wake started at defensive end and tallied three tackles.
Trevor Williams (2012-15) CB, Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers 14, Jets 7
Williams started at cornerback for the Chargers and made two tackles.
Stefen Wisniewski (2007-10) G/C, Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles 19, Raiders 10
Wisniewski was inactive with an ankle injury.
Anthony Zettel (2012-15) DL, Detroit Lions
Bengals 26, Lions 17
Zettel started for the Lions at defensive end and recorded two tackles.