Huskers in the NFL: Week 9

Week 9 of National Football League action featured the debut of one former Blackshirt, while being highlighted by excellent performances from several other former Blackshirts.

 

Linebacker T.J. Hollowell made his season debut for the New York Jets, recording one tackle in the Jets 31-26 loss to the Chargers. Hollowell signed with the Jets on October 31, after spending the first part of the 2005 season on the New York Giants' practice squad. Hollowell played on special teams for the Giants in 2004, appearing in four games after being called up from the practice squad late in the season.

 

Atlanta linebacker Demorrio Williams turned in another monster performance, recording seven tackles in the Falcons 17-10 win over the Dolphins, and bringing his team-leading season total to 67, a figure that ranks ninth in the NFL.

 

In Kansas City, offensive guard Will Shields continued his 199-game consecutive-start streak for the Chiefs, playing a key role in getting the push off the line that allowed running back Larry Johnson to dive into the endzone as time expired for a game-winning 1-yard touchdown run. Kansas City cornerback Eric Warfield recorded 11 tackles in the Chiefs 27-23 win, while Raiders rookie cornerback Fabian Washington logged nine tackles in a losing effort.

 

Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch turned in six tackles for the Titans, while holding steady with eight sacks on the season, a total that ranks third in the NFL. Tennessee dropped to 2-7 on the year with a 20-14 loss to the Browns.

 

Punter Kyle Larson continued to put up big numbers, as he helped his Cincinnati Bengals improve to 7-2 with a 21-9 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Larson punted twice in the contest for a 46.5-yard average, placing one punt inside the 20-yard line and adding a long punt of 49 yards.

 

Former Blackshirts Mike Minter and Mike Rucker helped Carolina hold Minnesota to 270 yards of offense in the Panthers 34-14 win over the Buccaneers. Minter recorded six tackles from his safety spot, while Rucker recovered a fumble and turned in two sacks from his defensive end position, bringing his season sack total to six. Tampa Bay rookie linebacker Barrett Ruud recorded a tackle for the Buccaneers in the loss.

 

Vikings cornerback Ralph Brown recorded three tackles, as Minnesota improved to 3-5 on the season with a 27-14 win over Detroit. Lions' fullback Cory Schlesinger caught two passes for five yards.

 

Seattle place kicker Josh Brown connected on both of his field goals attempts, while finishing 3-for-4 on extra points in the Seahawks' 33-19 win over the Cardinals. Seahawks' defensive end Grant Wistrom added a tackle in the win, as Seattle improved to 6-2 on the season.

 

Chicago safety Mike Brown recorded two tackles in the Bears’ 20-17 victory over the Saints. Rookie safety Josh Bullocks logged three tackles for New Orleans.

 

Place kicker Kris Brown was 2-for-2 on extra points for Houston, but the Texans could not build on the momentum of their win in week 8, losing to Jacksonville, 21-14. The Texans fell to 1-7 on the season.

 

Overall, a total 33 former Huskers are on NFL rosters, including three players on injured reserve and three players on NFL practice squads. A total of 27 former Huskers are currently on active rosters.