Huskers in the NFL - Week 1

The opening weekend of the National Football League was highlighted by game-winning performances from several former Huskers, including a former Blackshirt and former Husker specialist.

 

With New Orleans leading 19-14 over Cleveland with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Saints’ defensive back Josh Bullocks intercepted a Charlie Frye pass intended for Braylon Edwards on the New Orleans 30. Bullocks returned the interception 14 yards and stopped a potential game-winning drive to secure the Saints’ season-opening win.

 

Bullocks added five solo and one assisted tackle in the game to lead a Saint’s defense that held Cleveland to just 186 net yards. Linebacker Scott Shanle also added four tackles and two assisted tackles during the win

 

Defensive back Ralph Brown recorded one solo and one assisted tackle for Cleveland in the Browns’ losing effort.

 

Place-kicker Josh Brown posted the other game-winning performance with a 42-yard field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter to give the Seahawks a 9-6 win over the Lions. Brown’s three field goals (20, 51, 42) accounted for all of Seattle’s points.

 

Detroit center Dominic Raiola recovered a fumble in the hard-fought loss for the Lions.

 

Atlanta’s Demorrio Williams totaled five tackles in his starting role at linebacker for the Falcons in their 20-6 win over the Carolina, while Panthers free safety Mike Minter racked up six tackles and defensive end Mike Rucker added three stops.

 

2005 NU graduates Sam Koch and Cory Ross were part of one of two shutouts in the NFL’s opening weekend as the Baltimore Ravens held off TampaBay 27-0. Koch shined in his regular-season NFL premier with six punts for an average of 47 yards, with a long of 56.

 

Tampa Bay’s Barrett Ruud had three solo and five assisted tackles in the Buccaneer’s loss to the Ravens.

 

Buffalo’s Chris Kelsey provided a spark on the Bill’s defense during a heartbreaking 19-17 loss to New England, snagging four tackles, including two on the Patriots’ first six plays. Kelsey also added one sack and one forced fumble. However, New England’s last-minute efforts proved to be too much for the Bills, as the Patriots closed the fourth quarter with a field goal and a safety. Patriot’s center Russ Hochstein’s blocking efforts allowed quarterback Tom Brady to throw for 163 yards and two touchdowns.

 

Strong safety Mike Brown led a dominant Chicago Bears defense that shut out Green Bay for the first time in 238 games, compiling three tackles to help hold the Packers to just 267 net yards on offense.

 

Green Bay’s Ahman Green made up most of the Packers’ offense in the loss with 20 carries for 110 yards, including a long run of 14 yards.

 

Kyle Larson had five punts for an average of 42.6 yards in Cincinnati’s 23-10 win over Kansas City, putting enough hang-time on the ball to allow the Bengal defense to hold the Falcons’ Dante Hall to an average of just 1.7 yards per return.

 

Kansas City offensive guard Will Shields helped provide time for backup quarterback Damon Huard to complete 12-of-20 attempts for 140 yards and one touchdown in the Chiefs’ opening loss.

 

Philadelphia’s Correll Buckhalter had eight carries for 50 yards, including a long run of 20 yards, in the Eagles 24-10 win over Houston.

 

The Texans’ Kris Brown made a field goal from 34 yards while center Zach Wiegert blocked for a David Carr performance of 18-for-27 for 208 yards and one touchdown in Houston’s home opener.

 

Tennessee’s Kyle Vanden Bosch recorded six solo and two assisted tackles, as well as one sack, in the Titan’s 23-16 loss to the New York Jets.

 

Oakland’s Adam Treu and Fabian Washington and San Diego’s Ryon Bingham and Carlos Polk will face off on Monday night. Overall, a total of 31 former Huskers are currently on active NFL rosters.