UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With 26 Nittany Lions on National Football League rosters, Penn State is well represented in the professional ranks. Each week throughout the year, www.GoPSUsports.com will provide updates on the exploits of these former Nittany Lion greats. Top performances from week one of the 2012 season include outstanding play by linebackers Sean Lee (Dallas Cowboys) and Navorro Bowman (San Francisco 49ers).
Navorro Bowman (2007-09), LB, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 30, Green Bay 22
Bowman, who started at inside linebacker, led the 49ers with eight tackles (five solo) in their season-opening win against Green Bay. He also collected one interception.
Brett Brackett (2007-10), TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Minnesota 26, Jacksonville 23 (OT)
Brackett was placed on injured reserve Sept. 4.
Levi Brown (2003-06), OT, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona 20, Seattle 16
Brown was placed on injured reserve Aug. 24
Dan Connor (2004-07), LB, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas 24, New York Giants 17
Connor saw limited action at linebacker in Dallas’ season-opening win against the Giants.
Jack Crawford (2008-11), DE, Oakland Raiders
San Diego 22, Oakland 14
Crawford did not see any action in the Raiders’ loss against the Chargers.
Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, Chicago Bears
Chicago 41, Indianapolis 21
Gould made both his field-goal attempts, including a game-high 35 field goal, in the Bears’ win against Indianapolis.
Tamba Hali (2002-05), LB, Kansas City Chiefs
Atlanta 40, Kansas City 24
Hali, who did not see action against Arizona, was reinstated to the active roster Sept. 12.
Josh Hull (2006-09), LB, St. Louis Rams
Detroit 27, St. Louis 23
Hull contributed one tackle against the Lions.
Justin King (2005-07), CB, Indianapolis Colts
Chicago 41, Indianapolis 21
In his first game with the Colts, King made two tackles (one solo) against the Bears.
Dennis Landolt (2007-09), OT, New York Jets
New York Jets 48, Buffalo 28
Landolt did not see any action in the Jets’ win.
Sean Lee (2005-07, 2009), LB, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas 24, New York Giants 17
Lee led all players with 10 tackles (eight solo) in Dallas’ season-opening win against the Giants. He also forced one fumble.
Aaron Maybin (2007-08), LB, New York Jets
New York Jets 48, Buffalo 28
Maybin saw limited action at linebacker in the Jets’ season-opening win against Buffalo.
Jordan Norwood (2005-08), WR, Cleveland Browns
Philadelphia 17, Cleveland 16
Norwood, who is in his second year with the Browns, did not see any action.
Jared Odrick (2006-09), DE, Miami Dolphins
Houston 30, Miami 10
Starting opposite former Nittany Lion Cameron Wake on the defensive line, Odrick recorded two solo stops in Miami’s game against Houston.
Rich Ohrnberger (2006-08), OL, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona 20, Seattle 16
Ohrnberger was part of the offensive line rotation in the Cardinals’ 20-16 win against the Seahawks.
Paul Posluszny (2003-06), LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Minnesota 26, Jacksonville 23 (OT)
Posluszny started at middle linebacker and recorded seven tackles (four solo) against Minnesota.
Andrew Quarless (2006-09), TE, Green Bay Packers
San Francisco 30, Green Bay 22
Quarless, who is recovering from a knee injury sustained in Dec. 2011, was played on the team’s PUP list Aug. 27.
Michael Robinson (2002-05), FB, Seattle Seahawks
Arizona 20, Seattle 16
Robinson started the game at fullback and also contributed at special teams.
Evan Royster (2007-10), Washington Redskins
Washington 40, New Orleans 32
Royster rushed for 10 yards on two carries against the Saints.
Bryan Scott (1999-2002), LB, Buffalo Bills
New York Jets 48, Buffalo 28
Scott kicked off his 10th year in the league with two solo tackles, one interception and a forced fumble.
Tim Shaw (2002, 2004-06), LB, Tennessee Titans
New England 34, Tennessee 13
Shaw saw action on special teams in the Titans’ season opener.
Devon Still (2009-11), DT, Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore 44, Cincinnati 13
Former Penn State All-American Devon Still made two tackles in his professional debut.
Nate Stupar (2008-11), LB, Oakland Raiders
San Diego 22, Oakland 14
Stupar signed with the Oakland Raiders’ practice squad on Sept. 1.
Johnnie Troutman (2009-11), OG, San Diego Chargers
San Diego 22, Oakland 14
Troutman was placed on the reserve, non-football injury list on Aug. 27.
Cameron Wake (2000, 02-04), DE, Miami Dolphins
Houston 30, Miami 10
Wake, who started at right defensive end, recorded three tackles (two solo) against Houston.
Stefan Wisniewski (2007-10), OL, Oakland Raiders
San Diego 22, Oakland 14
Wisniewski, who is listed as the team’s starting center, did not appear in the Raiders’ season opener.