Temple University Athletics
Owls in the NFL - Week 1
9.15.20 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – As Temple prepares for their football season to get underway, it was an eventful Week 1 in the NFL for former Owls players. Of the 26 former Owls on NFL rosters, 17 suited up to play this past weekend to kick off the season.
The action started early on Thursday night in the first game of the season, when Houston linebacker Jacob Martin (2014-17) recorded the first sack of the 2020 NFL season on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the first quarter. This was one of two tackles Martin recorded in the game.
The Carolina Panthers and former Temple head coach Matt Rhule started two former Owls for opening day, in captain and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (2008-11) and wide receiver Robby Anderson (2011-13, 15). Anderson had a breakout opening game with six receptions for 115 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown pass from Teddy Bridgewater in the fourth quarter. Anderson also caught the subsequent two-point conversion attempt to put the Panthers up 30-27 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Whitehead collected six tackles on the day in his debut for Carolina. Other Panthers include linebacker Sam Franklin (2016-19), who played snaps on defense and special teams in his NFL debut, and quarterback Phillip Walker (2013-16), who dressed as the backup for Bridgewater.
Along with Sam Franklin, three other Owls made their NFL debuts. Atlanta offensive guard Matt Hennessy (2016-19) filtered in at left guard for starter James Carpenter in a Falcons loss to the Seahawks. The other two Owls rookies faced off against each other in Week 1, with Washington and wide receiver Isaiah Wright (2016-19) winning, 27-17, over Philadelphia and linebacker Shaun Bradley (2016-19). Both players displayed prominently on special teams, and Bradley also saw snaps on the Eagles defense, where he recorded his first career tackle.
Buffalo captain and left tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16) helped lead the Bills to a 27-17 victory over the Jets. Dawkins was on the field for every offensive snap as the offense amassed over 41 minutes of possession and gained over 400 yards. Dawkins faced off on the field against Jets cornerback Nate Hairston (2014-16), who recorded five tackles in the game, including a tackle for loss. Linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) saw action on defense and special teams in his first game with the Bills, after signing with the team from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
Elsewhere around the league, Washington defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis (2012-15) had a strong game, with four tackles, one and a half sacks, and four QB hits, tying his career high. Arizona linebacker Haason Reddick (2013-16) had three tackles and a pass breakup in a 24-20 win over the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. Indianapolis cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) got the opening week start for the Colts and had four tackles in a 27-20 loss to the Jaguars, and Baltimore cornerback Tavon Young (2012-15) had two tackles in a 38-6 win over Cleveland.
On Monday night, Denver kicker Brandon McManus (2009-12) was 2-of-2 on extra points in the Broncos 16-14 loss to Tennessee, and New York Giants cornerback Sean Chandler (2014-17) was a late callup to the active roster for their Monday night game against Pittsburgh and saw action on special teams in a 26-16 loss.
The action started early on Thursday night in the first game of the season, when Houston linebacker Jacob Martin (2014-17) recorded the first sack of the 2020 NFL season on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the first quarter. This was one of two tackles Martin recorded in the game.
The Carolina Panthers and former Temple head coach Matt Rhule started two former Owls for opening day, in captain and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (2008-11) and wide receiver Robby Anderson (2011-13, 15). Anderson had a breakout opening game with six receptions for 115 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown pass from Teddy Bridgewater in the fourth quarter. Anderson also caught the subsequent two-point conversion attempt to put the Panthers up 30-27 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Whitehead collected six tackles on the day in his debut for Carolina. Other Panthers include linebacker Sam Franklin (2016-19), who played snaps on defense and special teams in his NFL debut, and quarterback Phillip Walker (2013-16), who dressed as the backup for Bridgewater.
Along with Sam Franklin, three other Owls made their NFL debuts. Atlanta offensive guard Matt Hennessy (2016-19) filtered in at left guard for starter James Carpenter in a Falcons loss to the Seahawks. The other two Owls rookies faced off against each other in Week 1, with Washington and wide receiver Isaiah Wright (2016-19) winning, 27-17, over Philadelphia and linebacker Shaun Bradley (2016-19). Both players displayed prominently on special teams, and Bradley also saw snaps on the Eagles defense, where he recorded his first career tackle.
Buffalo captain and left tackle Dion Dawkins (2013-16) helped lead the Bills to a 27-17 victory over the Jets. Dawkins was on the field for every offensive snap as the offense amassed over 41 minutes of possession and gained over 400 yards. Dawkins faced off on the field against Jets cornerback Nate Hairston (2014-16), who recorded five tackles in the game, including a tackle for loss. Linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) saw action on defense and special teams in his first game with the Bills, after signing with the team from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
Elsewhere around the league, Washington defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis (2012-15) had a strong game, with four tackles, one and a half sacks, and four QB hits, tying his career high. Arizona linebacker Haason Reddick (2013-16) had three tackles and a pass breakup in a 24-20 win over the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. Indianapolis cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) got the opening week start for the Colts and had four tackles in a 27-20 loss to the Jaguars, and Baltimore cornerback Tavon Young (2012-15) had two tackles in a 38-6 win over Cleveland.
On Monday night, Denver kicker Brandon McManus (2009-12) was 2-of-2 on extra points in the Broncos 16-14 loss to Tennessee, and New York Giants cornerback Sean Chandler (2014-17) was a late callup to the active roster for their Monday night game against Pittsburgh and saw action on special teams in a 26-16 loss.
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