Buffalo Bills safety Duke Williams (27) runs to tackle the ball carrier during a kick-off in a game against the Patriots on Sunday, Oct 12. Williams had eight total tackles in the loss.
By Chris Boline
Each week The Nevada Sagebrush will take a look at former Wolf Pack players in the National Football League. The week six edition highlights two who are making big moves on the defensive side of the ball and another that is grinding away in the trenches.
1. Colin Kaepernick (Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers)
The former Wolf Pack gunslinger had one of his finest performances as a pro last night against the St. Louis Rams. Under the primetime lights of Monday Night Football, Kaepernick sliced up the Rams secondary by throwing for 343 yards and three touchdowns. The dual-threat passer also had a double digit rushing average (12.3) by accounting for 37 yards on the ground. With the win, Kaepernick brings the 49ers back into contention for the NFC West crown at 4-2.
2. Brandon M. Marshall (Linebacker, Denver Broncos)
Marshall is proving that he belongs in the Broncos’ starting lineup even when the team’s coaching staff thinks otherwise. After being replaced by former starter Danny Trevathan against the Jets last Sunday, he entered back into the starting line-up after Trevathan went down with another knee injury. Just like he had done before, Marshall came in and excelled for the Broncos. Marshall, a native of Las Vegas, paced the Denver defense with seven combined tackles and the Broncos went on to smash the Jets 31-17.
3. Joel Bitonio (Offensive tackle, Cleveland Browns)
Once again, Bitonio was critical in another Browns win when the offense excelled on the ground and the line kept Cleveland quarterback Brian Hoyer upright. The Browns allowed only one sack and racked up 158 total rushing yards in the 31-10 thrashing of the Pittsburgh Steelers. With offensive line fixture Alex Mack falling to a leg injury during the game, Bitonio will be relied on even more to help solidify the Browns’ line. This might be a lot more manageable than one might think considering his past success with durability along the line (he started 38 games at tackle while he was with the Wolf Pack.)
HONORABLE MENTION: Duke Williams (Safety, Buffalo Bills)
Even though Williams committed what Sporting News’ Troy Machir called the “worst pass interference penalty of the season” he still had his best game statistically this year. The Hug High School alumnus started his second game of the season in front of Da’Norris Searcy at safety racked up eight combined tackles (six solo and two assisted) and batted away one pass in the Bills’ 37-22 loss to the New England Patriots.
Chris Boline can be reached at choline@sagebrush.unr.edu.