Oct. 8, 2014
Illini in the NFL Website
Each week the Illini in the NFL update provides coverage on how former Fighting Illini football players fared during the previous week. In week four, Pierre Thomas scored two touchdowns for the Saints, Vontae Davis had a fourth-quarter interception for the Colts and Brandon Lloyd made some highlight-reel catches for the 49ers.
Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints (@Pierre_Thomas) - Thomas found the end zone twice and had 112 total yards in the Saints' 37-31 win over Tampa Bay. Thomas rushed for 35 yards and a TD on four attempts for an average of 8.8 yards per carry and caught 8 passes for 77 yards and another touchdown. Watch Thomas' 27-yard TD run | Watch Thomas' 15-yard TD reception
Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis Colts (@VontaeDavis) - Davis picked off Joe Flacco early in the third quarter and returned it 29 yards to help preserve the Colt's lead. He also added 4 tackles and 2 pass deflections in the Colts' 20-13 win. Watch Davis' INT
Brandon Lloyd, WR, San Francisco 49ers (@MrBLloyd) - Started for the third consecutive week and caught three catches for a season-high 76 yards including a spectacular, leaping 29-yard reception from Colin Kaepernick Watch Lloyd's Leaping Catch
Whitney Mercilus, DE, Houston Texans (@Merci380) - Started for the fourth straight game, recorded five tackles, one of which was for a loss, and added a quarterback as the Texans lost to the Cowboys 20-17.
Steve Weatherford, P, New York Giants (@Weatherford5) - Punted three times for an average of 57.7 yards per punt with one traveling 67 yards during the Giants' 30-20 win over the Falcons.
Hugh Thornton, OL, Indianapolis Colts (@HughThornton72) - Started at guard and protected Andrew Luck who threw for 312 yards and a touchdown in a 20-13 victory against the Ravens.
Jon Asamoah, OL, Atlanta Falcons - Asamoah protected Matt Ryan on Sunday as he threw for 316 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons 30-20 loss at New York.
Akeem Spence, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@AkeemSpence) - Spence recorded two tackles in action against the Saints in the Buccaneers' loss on Sunday.
Tavon Wilson, FS, New England Patriots (@TavonWilson27) - Played and had one tackle on Sunday against the Bengals on Sunday Night Football as the Patriots beat the Bengals 43-17.
Michael Buchanan, DE, New England Patriots (@MikeBuke99) - Played and assisted on two tackles on Sunday Night Football against the Bengals.
Corey Liuget, DE, San Diego Chargers (@CoreyLiuget) - Liuget started for the Chargers and helped the team shutout the New York Jets 31-0, but did not record any stats.
A.J. Jenkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (@AJJenkins15) - Caught one pass for three yards and had one rushing attempt for -2 yards. The Chiefs lost to the 49ers 22-17.
Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets (@Cumberland85) - Cumberland started against the Chargers on Sunday and caught two passes for twelve yards in the 31-0 loss.
Michael Hoomanawanui, TE, New England Patriots (@Hoomanawanui47) - Played in the Patriots' 43-17 win vs. Cincinnati, but did not record any stats. He currently serves primarily as a blocking TE, with Rob Gronkowski playing the role of pass-catching TE.
Glenn Foster, DL, New Orleans Saints (@QBsacked) - Foster played in the Saints' 37-31 win over Tampa Bay, but did not record any stats.
Alan Ball, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars had a bye in week 5. They play the Titans in Week 6.
Former Illini on Injured Reserved
Jeff Allen, OL, Kansas City Chiefs (@JeffAllen71)
Former Illini on Practice Squads
Jonathan Brown, LB, Arizona Cardinals (@J_B_45) - Practice Squad
Ryan Lankford, WR, Indianapolis Colts (@Playmaka3x4) - Practice Squad
Justin Staples, LB, Tennessee Titans (@J_Staples94) - Practice Squad
