Huskers in the NFL Week 3

The third weekend of the National Football League season continued to show strong performances from several former Huskers, including key plays from a former Blackshirt in the 2004 class and a specialist from last year’s squad.

 

On Monday Night Football, the Saints dominated the Atlanta Falcons, 23-3, in an emotional home opener in the newly renovated Superdome one year following Hurricane Katrina. Former Blackshirt Josh Bullocks racked up seven tackles, including five unassisted, along with a key field goal block.

 

With the Saints leading 17-3 with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Bullocks blocked a 25-yard field goal attempt while the defense recovered the ball on the New Orleans 13-yard line to secure the momentum and a two-touchdown lead.

 

Scott Shanle also added four solo tackles and one sack for the Saints defense, while Demorrio Williams snagged seven solo stops and one assisted tackle in the Falcons’ losing effort.

 

Former NU specialist Sam Koch contributed to a 15-14 Baltimore Ravens victory over the Cleveland Browns with six punts for an average of 39.2 yards, including three inside the 20-yard line. Koch also had a long punt of 53 yards after a crucial three-and-out by the offense from their own 26-yard line, putting the ball on the Cleveland 21-yard line with the Browns ahead 7-3 in the second quarter.

 

Former Husker defensive back Ralph Brown contributed one solo tackle in Cleveland’s losing effort.

 

Buffalo’s Chris Kelsey posted two tackles, including one unassisted, in the Bills’ 28-20 loss to the New York Jets.

 

Chicago’s Mike Brown racked up three unassisted and one assisted tackle in the Bears’ 19-16 victory over Minnesota, helping hold the Vikings to just 11 first downs despite Minnesota’s advantage in time of possession.

 

Cincinnati racked up 14 fourth-quarter points to edge the Steelers, 28-20. Former Husker specialist Kyle Larson had five punts for an average of 53.4 yards, including a long of 67 yards, and two inside the 20-yard line.

 

Green Bay’s Ahman Green led the Packers in rushing with 22 carries for 63 yards in his team’s 31-24 divisional win over Detroit. The Lions’ Daniel Bullocks had six tackles, including four unassisted, in Detroit’s losing effort. Cory Schlesinger also had two catches for seven yards from his fullback position, while Dominic Raiola’s blocking at center helped lead to 342 yards passing for Jon Kitna.

 

Houston’s Kris Brown had one extra point, while Zach Wiegert led an offensive line that helped David Carr to a 208-yard passing day in the Texans’ 31-15 loss to the Washington Redskins.

 

Philadelphia’s Correll Buckhalter had five carries for 16 yards, as well as two catches for 25 yards, in the Eagles’ 28-24 win over San Francisco.

 

Josh Brown racked up six extra points in Seattle’s offensive explosion over the New York Giants, while Grant Wistrom racked up two unassisted tackles during the Seahawks’ 42-30 win.

 

Carolina’s Mike Minter and Mike Rucker combined for five tackles, including one each unassisted, in the Panthers’ 26-24 victory against Tampa Bay, which included holding the Buccaneers to just 13 first downs and 209 net yards. TampaBay’s Barrett Ruud snagged eight solo tackles in the Buccaneers’ losing effort.

 

Finally, Tennessee’s Kyle Vanden Bosch snagged four tackles, including three unassisted, as well as one sack in the Titans’ 13-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.