Cowboys in the NFL: Week 8
LARAMIE – Currently, 10 former Wyoming Cowboys are on active NFL rosters.
Each week, we’ll look at how these former Pokes are producing in the pros.
BRIAN HILL — Atlanta Falcons
Hey, Atlanta, here is the Brian Hill most have been telling you about. This is the guy that rushed for a school record 4,287 yards in just three seasons in Laramie. Hill shows off his speed and elusiveness here in a 24-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of a 27-20 home loss to the Seahawks. Not to bury the lede, but this was also Hill's first career touchdown run in the NFL. Hill carried the ball three times Sunday for 29 yards. He has eight rushes for 40 yards this season, including two catches for 14 more.
MIKE PURCELL — Denver Broncos
This former Wyoming Cowboy had three tackles today, including this beauty above for a loss in the second half of a 15-13 loss to the Colts Sunday in Indianapolis. Mike Purcell has been more than a difference maker for the Broncos at the nose tackle spot. In four starts, Purcell has recorded 13 tackles, including three for loss.
JACOB HOLLISTER – Seattle Seahawks
Jacob Hollister caught his first pass as a Seattle Seahawk last weekend. He added two more Sunday in a 27-20 win over Brian Hill's Falcons. The former Cowboy racked up 18 yards on those snags and even covered a late Atlanta onside kick to seal the victory. Apparently Hollister is getting in good with Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. You can read about that above.
TASHAUN GIPSON – Houston Texans
This former Wyoming safety/ corner left last week's game with a back injury. It was bad enough to sideline Tashaun Gipson against the Raiders Sunday in Houston. The Texans still managed to get past Oakland, 27-24. Gipson has 25 tackles and a pair of interceptions this season.
ANDREW WINGARD – Jacksonville Jaguars
OK, above is just some goofy video game rendering of Andrew Wingard picking off a pass and taking it to the house against Mason Rudolph and the Steelers. They got the hair down though, didn't they? In reality, Wyoming's former safety recorded one tackle Sunday in a 29-15 Jacksonville victory over the New York Jets. Wingard has six tackles this season and a forced fumble.
CHASE ROULLIER – Washington Redskins
The Redskins know a good pitch man when they see one. Former Wyoming lineman and current Washington Center, Chase Roullier, and his NFL mates had another tough outing Thursday night in Minnesota. The Vikings rushed for just 85 total yards and threw for 131 more in a 19-9 loss to the Vikings. The "Hogs," as the 'Skins line is called, gave up four sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss in Washington's latest loss. The Redskins are now 1-7 on the season.
MARK NZEOCHA – San Francisco 49ers
I'm not sure what any of that says up there, but I'm sure Germany is proud of former Wyoming linebacker Mark Nzeocha, who recorded one tackle in the 49ers 51-13 rout of the Carolina Panthers Sunday afternoon in Charlotte. Nzeocha has four tackles for San Francisco this season and an interception. He also has a blocked punt for the 7-0 Niners.
CARL GRANDERSON – New Orleans Saints
There were no "worm" sack dances for Carl Granderson Sunday. The former Wyoming defensive end was inactive Sunday afternoon for the Saints 31-9 win over the Cardinals.
JOSH ALLEN — Buffalo Bills
The "Bohl Bowl" went to the North Dakota State guy Sunday afternoon in Orchard Park. In the battle between Craig Bohl's two NFL quarterbacks, Carson Wentz and the Eagles out-dueled Josh Allen and the Bills, 31-13. It wasn't a horrible afternoon statistically for the former Wyoming gunslinger, who completed 16-of-34 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Allen fumbled the ball three times, losing a crucial one as the Eagles pulled away late. Allen has thrown for 1,324 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
MARCUS EPPS – Minnesota Vikings
Former Wyoming safety, Marcus Epps, didn’t record any stats in the Vikings 19-9 win over the Redskins Thursday night. Epps has been a mainstay on Minnesota’s special team’s unit this season and has one tackle.