Huskers in the NFL: Week 5

Former Blackshirts again made their marks in week five of National Football League action.

 

Atlanta linebacker Demorrio Williams turned in another solid performance for the Falcons, recording three tackles against the Patriots and intercepting a third-quarter pass by Tom Brady to set up a Falcons' touchdown that cut the New England lead to 28-20. Williams also recorded three tackles in the game, lifting his team-leading season total to 40. Despite Williams' efforts, the Falcons ultimately lost the game, 31-28.

 

Bears' safety Mike Brown intercepted Trent Dilfer's second-quarter pass and returned it 72 yards to the Browns' 9-yard line to set up a Bears' field goal that tied the game at three. Brown also recorded six tackles in Cleveland's 20-10 victory over Chicago.

 

Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch moved back into a tie for the league lead in sacks, as he recorded one sack in Tennessee's 34-20 win over Houston, raising his season total to seven. Vanden Bosch finished the game with seven total tackles. Houston place kicker Kris Brown connected on all four of his field goal attempts for the Texans, hitting from 32, 38, 43 and 47 yards.

 

Rookie safety Josh Bullocks recorded two tackles for New Orleans in his second career NFL start, but was unable to slow the potent Green Bay attack, as the Packers defeated the Saints, 52-3. Former Husker running back Ahman Green did not play for the Packers, as he was held out with a knee injury.

 

In Buffalo, defensive end Chris Kelsay recorded his second sack of the season and added another tackle in helping the Bills to a 20-14 victory over the Dolphins.

 

Place kicker Josh Brown connected on all three of his field goal attempts and finished 4-for-4 on extra points in helping Seattle to a 37-31 win over St. Louis. Cornerback DeJuan Groce of the Rams and defensive end Grant Wistrom of the Seahawks each turned in a tackle.

 

Rookie linebacker Barrett Ruud recorded a single tackle in the Buccaneers 14-12 loss to the Jets. Ruud, the Huskers' career tackle leader, now has five tackles on the year for Monte Kiffin's squad.

 

Linebacker Scott Shanle made his first start of the season for Dallas, recording three tackles for the Cowboys as they defeated the Eagles, 33-10.

 

Former Huskers Mike Minter and Mike Rucker continued to contribute as starters on Carolina's defense, each recording two tackles in the Panthers 24-20 win over the Cardinals.

 

Cincinnati punter Kyle Larson continued his solid play, punting the ball five times for an average of 43.2 yards per punt. Larson had a long of 75 yards, and pinned the Jaguars inside their own 20-yard line twice. Larson's field position contributions were not enough to help the Bengals to victory, as they took their first loss on the season, falling to Jacksonville, 23-20.

 

Overall, a total 31 former Huskers are on NFL rosters, including two players on injured reserve and two players on NFL practice squads. A total of 27 former Huskers started the 2005 NFL season on active rosters.