On This NFL Date: Former College Hoopers Ready For October Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves in October football at the professional level:
OCTOBER
1: Cincinnati Bengals rookie LB James Francis (averaged 3 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Baylor basketball in 1986-87 and 1987-88) furnished two sacks for the second straight game in 1990. . . . Washington Redskins DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown in a 24-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1961. . . . TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught a touchdown pass with 34 seconds remaining to give the Baltimore Ravens a 16-13 win against the San Diego Chargers in 2006. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had 10 pass receptions in a 57-14 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2017. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three of his league-high 19 touchdown passes in a 24-23 setback against the New England Patriots in 1972. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 28-13 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1955. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon hoops teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned a blocked field goal 83 yards for touchdown in 23-20 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1978. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 311 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 38-10 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2000. . . . Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had two sacks in a 33-30 win against the New England Patriots in 2017. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Dick Pesonen (two-year Minnesota-Duluth hoops letterman was starting guard in 1959-60) returned an interception 28 yards in 34-33 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1961. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught 13 passes for 160 yards in a 28-19 setback against the New England Patriots in 2000. . . . Washington Redskins rookie QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1961. Six years later with the Philadelphia Eagles, Snead threw four TD passes in a 34-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned a fumble recovery 29 yards for a touchdown in a 31-16 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2000. . . . Green Bay Packers P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted six times for 288 yards (48.0 average) in a 16-13 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1972. . . . Minnesota Vikings E A.D. Williams (Pacific hoops letterman in mid-1950s) caught a seven-yard touchdown pass in a 34-33 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1961. . . . B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) provided the Staten Island Stapletons' lone score with a 64-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter in a 7-7 tie with the Newark Tornadoes in 1930.
2: Chicago Bears QB Ray Buivid (Marquette hoops letterman in 1935-36) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 28-6 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1938. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 27-26 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1955. . . . In the midst of four consecutive contests with at least 100 receiving yards, New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught 10 passes for 132 yards in a 23-10 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie B Jack Grossman (two-year Rutgers hoops letterman in early 1930s) scored the game's only touchdowns with two pass receptions in a 14-0 win against the Boston Braves in 1932. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 28-9 win against the Detroit Lions in 1960. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-14 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) returned six punts a total of 82 yards in 17-3 win against the New York Giants in 1977. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1960. . . . St. Louis Rams WR Dane Looker (averaged 4.8 ppg as Western Washington freshman in 1995-96 and 10.2 ppg as sophomore in 1996-97 before transferring to Washington and concentrating on football) had a career-high eight pass receptions in a 44-24 setback against the New York Giants in 2005. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 369 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-31 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005. the next year, McNabb threw two third-quarter TD passes in a 31-9 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2006. In 2011 with the Minnesota Vikings, McNabb threw two TD passes in a 22-17 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011. . . . Detroit Lions TE Ulysses Norris (Georgia hooper in 1975-76) had a career-high five pass receptions in a 21-10 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1983. . . . Baltimore Colts B John North (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1943) caught a 79-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in the fourth quarter of a 35-28 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1949. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had 11 pass receptions for 171 yards in a 37-31 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005. . . . Green Bay Packers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown in a 42-10 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught seven passes for 134 yards in a 37-35 win against the Dallas Texans in 1960. Texans HB Jim Swink (averaged 5.8 ppg for TCU in 12 games in 1955-56) had a 32-yard pass reception and returned a kickoff 36 yards. . . . Oakland Raiders RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) returned a punt 97 yards for a touchdown in a 37-35 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1983. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) had two second-half rushing touchdowns in a 35-28 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1949. . . . Baltimore Colts rookie DB Herb Rich (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1947) returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown in 55-13 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950. Cardinals E Bob Shaw (Ohio State hoops starter in 1942 and 1943) caught five TD passes. . . . Arizona Cardinals WR Patrick Robinson (starting guard for Tennessee State in 1990-91 when averaging 6.7 ppg and 2.9 apg) returned two kickoffs for 58 yards in a 17-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1994. . . . Denver Broncos S Al Romine (four-year hoops letterman from 1951-52 through 1954-55 for Florence State AL) returned an interception 18 yards in a 31-14 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1960. Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Frank Tripucka. . . . Baltimore Colts DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in a 42-7 win against the Chicago Bears in 1960. . . . New York Giants QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes to Ron Johnson in a 27-12 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1972. . . . Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (led OCU in scoring with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught two touchdown passes (24 and 61 yards) in a 21-21 tie against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1953.
3: Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) threw four touchdown passes in a 45-24 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1976. . . . Baltimore Ravens WR Justin Armour (Stanford hooper in 1992-93) caught a 54-yard touchdown pass in overtime to give the Baltimore Ravens a 19-13 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1999. . . . New York Giants E Red Badgro (first-five All-Pacific Coast Conference pick as forward in 1926-27 when named USC's MVP) opened the game's scoring with a 25-yard touchdown reception in a 14-12 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934. . . . Cleveland Browns DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown in a 15-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1949. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown in a 27-17 win against the Boston Patriots in 1965. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) rushed for three touchdowns in a 35-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1965. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in a 24-14 win against the New York Giants in 1953. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers TB Johnny Clement (SMU hoops letterman in 1940) threw two touchdown passes in a 24-14 win against the Boston Yanks in 1948. . . . Detroit Lions QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team selection under his father was Arizona co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 22-14 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1949. Four years later with the Baltimore Colts, Enke threw two first-half TD passes in a 27-17 setback against the Lions in 1953. . . . Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as hoops freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had 10 tackles in a 17-12 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught seven passes for 144 yards - including two first-half touchdowns from Philip Rivers - in a 41-10 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2010. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two touchdown passes in a 35-17 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1965. . . . Washington Redskins QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw for 337 yards and four touchdown passes in a 38-36 win against the Carolina Panthers in 1999. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes to E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) in a 17-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1952. . . . A fourth-quarter touchdown pass reception by TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) from Jim Kelly gave the Buffalo Bills a 17-14 win against the New York Giants in 1993. . . . Philadelphia Eagles B Dom Moselle (leading hoops scorer for Wisconsin-Superior in 1947-48 and 1948-49) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in 35-16 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1954. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) caught two touchdown passes from George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) in a 31-21 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948. . . . Cincinnati Bengals WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had 10 pass receptions for 222 yards in a 23-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2010. . . . Detroit Lions DB Wayne Rasmussen (MVP in 1963 NCAA College Division Tournament for South Dakota State) had two interceptions - returning one of them 50 yards for a touchdown to open the game's scoring - in a 14-10 win against the Washington Redskins in 1965. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) had nine pass receptions for 141 yards in a 45-24 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1976. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-13 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1976. . . . Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (OCU leading scorer with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) had two of his league-high nine touchdown pass receptions in a 27-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1949. . . . Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-31 setback against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Rookie HB Ted Scalissi (three-time all-league hoops selection for Ripon WI) caught two of the TD passes.
4: Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) opened the game's scoring with a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 21-6 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1933. . . . Chicago Bears TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) had 11 pass receptions in a 22-20 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2015. . . . Chicago Bears rookie HB J.R. Boone (hoops teammate of eventual NFL executive Jim Finks for Tulsa in 1947-48) had two first-half rushing touchdowns in a 28-17 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1948. . . . Buffalo Bills WR Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 34-31 win against the New York Jets in 1970. . . . Indianapolis Colts DE Sam Clancy (two-time Eastern 8 first-team selection ended career in 1981 as Pittsburgh's all-time leading rebounder) had two sacks in a 24-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992. . . . Chicago Cardinals B Red Dunn (four-year Marquette hoops letterman first half of 1920s) rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns in a 34-0 win against the Milwaukee Badgers in 1925. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught nine passes for 124 yards - including two second-half touchdowns from Philip Rivers - in a 38-28 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 21-20 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1952. The next year, Graham threw three TD passes in a 27-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1953. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught 10 passes for 147 yards in a 37-23 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2015. . . . Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown in a 29-6 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2009. . . . New York Giants rookie FB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) scored the game's only touchdown with a 31-yard rush in a 7-0 win against the Boston Redskins in 1936. . . . New York Giants WR Bob McChesney (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1945-46) opened the game's scoring with an 18-yard touchdown reception from Frank Gifford in 31-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1952. . . . Chicago Bears B Keith Molesworth (three-year hoops letterman for Monmouth IL in late 1920s) threw two touchdown passes in a 27-9 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1936. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoop letter in 1947) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) in a 21-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1952. . . . Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 47 yards on six punts in a 23-17 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two touchdown passes in a 24-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1992. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught two touchdown passes in a 41-16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes - including an 87-yarder to Timmy Brown - in a 21-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had 2 1/2 sacks in a 38-10 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2009.
5: Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-26 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1947. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged #2-scorer 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 and 11.3 as junior) rushed for three touchdowns - one of them for 59 yards - in a 45-12 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1958. Five years later, Brown rushed for 175 yards on 21 carries in a 35-23 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963. . . . Chicago Cardinals rookie TB Johnny Clement (SMU hoops letterman in 1940) threw a 76-yard touchdown pass in a 14-13 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1941. Six years later with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Clement threw two TD passes in a 27-26 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1947. . . . Baltimore Colts CB Jim Duncan (UMES hooper) returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown in a 21-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1969. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 31-0 win against the New York Jets in 2014. . . . Rookie E Dale Gentry (averaged 5.3 ppg for Washington State's 1941 NCAA Tournament runner-up) opened the Los Angeles Dons' scoring with a blocked punt return for a touchdown in a 21-9 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1946. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-17 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1980. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught eight passes for 144 yards in a 37-31 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2014. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted five times for 54-yard average in a 24-3 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1980. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 36-17 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1969. . . . Buffalo Bills rookie QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-25 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1947. . . . Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Gary Danielson in a 43-28 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1980. . . . Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught two touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 41-20 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2014. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 29-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2014.
6: Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) contributed an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the New York Giants in 1935. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown in a 17-14 setback against the Denver Broncos in 1974. . . . caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 20-12 win against the Boston Redskins in 1935. . . . New York Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two of his league-high 10 touchdown passes in the second quarter to B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) in a 20-12 win against the Boston Redskins in 1935. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes in a 28-7 win against the Houston Oilers in 1963. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team hoops pick for SMU in late 1930s) had one of his league-high seven pass reception touchdowns - 82 yards from Paul Christman - in a 34-17 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1946. . . . Oakland Raiders rookie TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two touchdown passes from Jeff Hostetler in a 34-13 win against the New York Jets in 1996. . . . Capping off four consecutive contests with at least 100 receiving yards, New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught 10 passes for 135 yards in a 26-18 win against the Chicago Bears in 2013. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie B Tom Harmon (averaged 7.6 ppg as sophomore in 1938-39 when leading Michigan in scoring in five contests) returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown in a 21-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1946. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1963. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 318 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-35 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2003. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 56-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1963. . . . Dallas Cowboys DE Too Tall Jones (backup center averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Tennessee State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had 2 1/2 sacks in a 30-29 win against the New York Giants in 1985. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 38-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1968. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1956. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie RB Jerris McPhail (starting point guard for Mount Olive NC with 11 ppg in early 1990s) rushed once for 10 yards and had career highs of six pass receptions and 86 receiving yards in a 22-15 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 1996. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 23-20 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1957. . . . Posting a career-high 117 rushing yards, a nine-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter by RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) propelled the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 13-7 win against the Houston Oilers in 1974. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught 11 passes for 162 yards in a 43-14 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1962. . . . New England Patriots WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Plunkett in a 42-3 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1974. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught five passes for 130 yards in a 34-13 win against the New England Patriots in 1997. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 36-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1975. . . . Washington Redskins rookie HB Ed Sutton (seven games for North Carolina as sophomore in 1954-55) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 37-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1957. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had seven pass receptions for 142 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 50-34 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1963. . . . Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught nine passes for 122 yards - including two first-half touchdowns from Peyton Manning - in a 51-48 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013.
7: Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two touchdowns in a 37-21 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1956. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) scored two second-quarter touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 35-33 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1951. Steelers DB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) returned an interception 25 yards for a TD.. . . Los Angeles Rams RB Glenn Davis (Army hooper in 1944-45 and 1945-46) scored two second-half touchdowns (one rushing/one receiving) in a 38-23 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1951. . . . Dallas Texans QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes for the third consecutive contest in 1962. . . . Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (Wisconsin-Stevens Point hoops letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42) returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown in a 57-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1945. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught eight passes for 129 yards in a 20-6 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2001. Eleven years later with the Atlanta Falcons, Gonzalez caught 13 passes in a 24-17 win against the Washington Redskins in 2012. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-3 win against the New York Jets in 1973. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 33-30 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1956. . . . RB-K Paul Hornung (teammate of All-American Jack Stephens averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) accounted for all of the Green Bay Packers' scoring by kicking three field goals in a 9-7 win against the Detroit Lions in 1962. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted eight times for 48.9-yard average in a 17-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1979. . . . B Wild Bill Kelly (two-year Montana hoops letterman in mid-1920s) supplied the New York Yankees' lone touchdown with a 15-yard rush in a 9-7 setback against the Pottsville Maroons in 1928. . . . San Francisco 49ers B Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) rushed for two touchdowns for the second straight game in 1962. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Brian Sipe in a 51-35 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1979. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-14 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 21-20 setback against the Arizona Cardinals in 2001. . . . Frankfort Yellow Jackets B Ken Mercer (three-year hoops letterman as Simpson IA forward) threw a fourth-quarter, go-ahead touchdown pass in 10-6 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1928. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 24-14 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2001. . . . The second of two second-half touchdown catches by WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) gave the Atlanta Falcons a 28-27 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1990. . . . Washington Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 20-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1962. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) recovered a fumble for a touchdown in a 30-10 win against the New England Patriots in 2001. . . . Tennessee Titans rookie WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught nine passes in a 30-7 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2012.
8: In 1933, Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) became the first NFL player to rush for 200 yards in a game (215 yards in 16 carries against New York Giants). . . . Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had two touchdown receptions in a 35-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1939. . . . Baltimore Colts DE Ordell Braase (first-team All-NCC hoops pick for South Dakota in 1952-53 and 1953-54) returned a fumble recovery nine yards for a touchdown in a 24-3 win against the Chicago Bears in 1967. . . . New York Giants T Victor Carroll (three-year hoops letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) returned a blocked punt return 28 yards for touchdown in 22-10 win against the Boston Yanks in 1944. . . . New York Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 14-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1939. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw five touchdown passes in a 41-0 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1967. FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had two first-half TD catches - one for 71 yards. . . . Detroit Lions TE Darren Fells (led UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons while averaging 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Matthew Stafford in a 27-24 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2017. . . . Los Angeles Dons rookie WR Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) caught two touchdown passes from Glenn Dobbs in a 49-28 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1948. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown in 34-24 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted five times for 238 yards (47.6 average) in a 21-16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1961. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had career-high 11 pass receptions in a 27-20 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2015. It was his third of four consecutive contests with at least eight pass receptions for more than 100 receiving yards. Two years later, Hopkins caught three touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson in a 42-34 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (teammate of All-American Jack Stephens averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored four touchdowns - including 54-yard run from scrimmage opening the game's scoring - in a 45-7 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1961. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) passed for 281 yards in a 34-24 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967. . . . Miami Dolphins RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) rushed for two first-half touchdowns in a 27-24 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 1995. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 24-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1950. The next year, Layne threw three TD passes - two to HB Doak Walker (SMU hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) - in a 37-10 win against the New York Yanks in 1951. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns in a 27-6 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950. . . . Chicago Bears rookie HB Bob MacLeod (All-EIL choice for Dartmouth league champions in 1937-38 and 1938-39) caught a 21-yard touchdown pass and returned an interception 41 yards for a TD in a 35-21 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1939. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 354 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 38-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2006. . . . Green Bay Packers DE Dan Orlich (Nevada-Reno hoops letterman in 1947-48 and 1948-49) returned a fumble recovery 15 yards for a touchdown in a 44-31 setback against the New York Yanks in 1950. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught 12 passes for 176 yards - including two touchdowns from Jeff Garcia - in a 34-28 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2000. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught 11 passes for 206 yards - including two touchdowns from Tom Flores - in a 24-10 win against the Boston Patriots in 1965. . . . New York Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three of his NFL-high 22 touchdown passes in a 44-31 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950. . . . Chicago Cardinals TB Jack Robbins (repeated as All-SWC first-team selection in 1938 for Arkansas) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-20 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1939. . . . QB Archie Roberts (averaged 2.2 ppg and 1.3 rpg in 14 contests as Columbia junior in 1963-64) played in his lone AFL game, completing 5-of-10 passes for the Miami Dolphins in a 41-0 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1967. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had three interceptions in a 21-16 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961. . . . New York Giants QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes in a 45-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1972. Eleven years earlier, WR Tom Osborne (scored 1,291 points for Hastings NE during last half of 1950s) accounted for the Washington Redskins' only TD by catching a pass from Snead in 31-7 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1961. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-3 win against the New York Giants in 1978.
9: New England Patriots TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) caught three touchdown passes from Tom Brady in a 33-13 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2016. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 168 yards on 29 carries in a 24-19 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965. . . . In his only game as an NFL quarterback, rookie Tony Dungy (roommate of Flip Saunders averaged 2.6 ppg for Minnesota in 1973-74 under coach Bill Musselman) threw two interceptions after Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Terry Bradshaw had four passes picked off in a 27-10 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1977. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 56-28 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1949. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) scored two touchdowns in a 31-16 win against the Chicago Bears in 1949. . . . Buffalo Bills rookie E Jim Lukens (Washington & Lee VA hoops letterman) caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) in a 42-28 setback against the Los Angeles Dons in 1949. . . . An 18-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter by E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) gave the San Francisco 49ers a 14-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1960. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two second-quarter touchdown catches in a 27-21 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1960. . . . Green Bay Packers E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) opened the game's scoring with a touchdown from a blocked punt return in a 15-10 win against the Portsmouth Spartans in 1932. . . . Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (OCU leading scorer with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) - 28 and 76 yards - in a 45-35 setback against the New York Giants in 1949. . . . Rookie B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team hoops selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) accounted for the Pittsburgh Pirates' lone score with a 50-yard touchdown pass in 17-7 setback against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1938. . . . San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 20-19 win against the Chicago Bears in 1955. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State hoops letterman as center in 1938 and 1939) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-14 win against the New York Giants in 1943.
10: Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943. . . . Chicago Bears rookie HB J.R. Boone (hoop teammate of eventual NFL executive Jim Finks for Tulsa in 1947-48) had two second-quarter pass reception touchdowns from Sid Luckman in a 42-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1948. . . . Cleveland Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) in a 31-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1954. Graham had three first-half TD passes. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Ronald Curry (averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3 apg for North Carolina in 1998-99 and 2000-01) caught 10 passes in a 35-14 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2004. . . . In 1934, an 82-yard touchdown run helped Chicago Bears rookie HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee regular in 1931-32) become the first NFL player to rush for 1,000 yards or more in a season when finishing with 1,004 (league highs of 8.4 per carry and eight TDs). . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie E Hank Foldberg (Army hoops letterman in 1947) returned a blocked field goal 51 yards for a touchdown in a 30-17 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1948. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 34-21 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) had two goal-line plunges for touchdowns in a 35-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1965. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns - including 33- and 45-yarders in first half - in a 23-7 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1964. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had an interception and returned six punts a total of 87 yards in 30-0 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 1976. . . . Eggs Manske (point guard led Northwestern to share of 1933 Big Ten Conference hoops crown) returned an interception 55 yards for a Chicago Bears touchdown in a 20-2 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1937. . . . TE Rich McGeorge (all-league hooper for Elon averaged 13.7 ppg and 9.1 rpg while making 59% of his field-goal attempts) had a touchdown reception in his third different game of the Green Bay Packers' first four contests in 1971. . . . Washington Redskins QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 357 yards in a 16-13 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2010. . . . Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned an interception 97 yards in a 20-17 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2004. . . . Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in two seasons in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 34-31 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1999. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught six passes for 141 yards in a 35-13 setback against the New York Jets in 1964. . . . Detroit Lions DB Wayne Rasmussen (MVP in 1963 NCAA College Division Tournament for South Dakota State) had an interception for the second of three consecutive contests in 1965. . . . Chicago Bears B Gene Ronzani (among Marquette's top four scorers in 1931-32 and 1932-33) opened the game's scoring with a six-yard touchdown reception in a 28-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934. . . . Providence Steam Roller E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) scored the game's lone touchdown with an 18-yard pass reception in a 6-0 win against the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1931. . . . Philadelphia Eagles LB George Tarasovic (led NLU forerunner Northeast Junior College LA with 21 ppg in 1950-51) returned a fumble recovery 62 yards for a touchdown in a 35-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1965. . . . San Diego Chargers DB Bud Whitehead (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 15 games for Florida State in 1959-60) had three interceptions - returning one 35 yards for a touchdown - in a 34-3 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1965. . . . Chicago Bears DB S.J. Whitman (Tulsa hoops letterman in 1949-50) returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown in a 28-9 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1954.
11: New York Giants rookie E O'Neal Adams (three-year hoops letterman was third-leading scorer when Arkansas reached 1941 NCAA Tournament national semifinals) caught two touchdown passes from Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) in a 35-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1942. Leemans finished the game with three TD passes. . . . Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) completed 21-of-27 passes (including three touchdowns) in a 41-19 triumph against the Baltimore Colts in 1981. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 33-14 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1942. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) scored three touchdowns - one fumble recovery and two pass receptions - in a 38-17 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1964. . . . In the midst of five consecutive contests with at least one touchdown reception, Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught five passes for 183 yards in a 48-17 win against the Houston Oilers in 1964. . . . Baltimore Colts QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team selection under his father was Arizona hoops co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 16-14 win against the Chicago Bears in 1953. . . . TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) opened the Arizona Cardinals' scoring by catching a 14-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer in a 42-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 2015. . . . In his Dallas Cowboys debut, DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had two sacks and four tackles in a 30-6 setback against the New England Patriots in 2015. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had an 88-yard touchdown reception in a 28-21 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1959. . . . QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) had goal-line plunges for both of the Chicago Cardinals' touchdowns in a 23-14 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1959. . . . B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) scored the Brooklyn Dodgers' lone touchdown with a 12-yard rush in a 10-10 tie against the New York Giants in 1936. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-24 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1959. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions - returning one of them 41 yards for a touchdown - in a 45-14 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1981. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 16-of-21 passes - including three first-half touchdowns - in a 33-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie WR Bucky Pope (two-time All-Carolinas Conference pick for Catawba NC averaged 19.4 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from Roman Gabriel in 38-17 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1964. . . . Philadelphia Eagles rookie WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown in a 28-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1959. . . . Rookie E George Rogge (Iowa hoops letterman in 1929) had a rushing touchdown for the Chicago Cardinals' lone score in a 26-7 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1931. . . . Green Bay Packers rookie CB Quinten Rollins (Miami OH steals leader all four seasons from 2010-11 through 2013-14 including MAC as senior) intercepted two passes - returning one 45 yards for a touchdown - in 24-10 win against the St. Louis Rams in 2015. . . . In 1987, TE Don Summers (averaged 13.4 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Oregon Tech in 1980-81) caught a 10-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to help boost the Green Bay Packers to a lead but they eventually bowed to the Detroit Lions, 19-16. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 33-27 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1964. . . . Providence Steam Roller rookie TB Cy Wentworth (New Hampshire hoops letterman in 1922 and 1923) returned a kickoff 92 yards for touchdown in 14-0 win against the New York Giants in 1925.
12: Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for three touchdowns in a 35-28 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1958. . . . Chicago Bears QB Young Bussey (LSU hoops letterman in late 1930s) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes for the second straight week in 1941. . . . Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for BYU in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) had three pass receptions for 102 yards - including a 51-yard touchdown - in a 31-10 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in a 26-21 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1952. . . . New York Giants DB Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) had two interceptions in a 27-13 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 1997. . . . In 2015, San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) posted career touchdown reception #100 in his first contest following a four-game suspension. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught four passes for 121 yards in a 40-34 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2003. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Swede Hagberg (three-year West Virginia hoops letterman in late 1920s) returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in a 32-0 win against the Newark Tornadoes in 1930. . . . Los Angeles Rams B Tom Harmon (averaged 7.6 ppg as sophomore in 1938-39 when leading Michigan in scoring in five contests) scored two touchdowns in a 27-13 win against the Detroit Lions in 1947. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two touchdown receptions in a 28-6 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1958. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught five passes for 134 yards in a 30-10 win against the New England Patriots in 2008. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted for more than 49-yard average for fourth time in a five-game span in 1980. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw four touchdown passes in a 35-13 win against the Washington Redskins in 2003. . . . Rookie TE Teyo Johnson (part-time starting forward for Stanford averaged 4.9 ppg and 3 rpg in 2000-01 and 2001-02) scored the Oakland Raiders' only touchdown with a 10-yard pass reception from Rich Gannon in a 13-7 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2003. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie B Art Jones (averaged 4.9 ppg as starting center for Richmond in 1940-41) caught a 59-yard touchdown pass in a 24-20 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1941. . . . Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown in a 29-28 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2008. . . . New York Yankees rookie B Wild Bill Kelly (two-year Montana hoops letterman in mid-1920s) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 19-8 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1927. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 17-3 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1975. . . . Washington Redskins WR Bob Long (Wichita State hooper in 1960-61 and 1961-62 under coach Ralph Miller) had nine pass receptions in a 33-17 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) rushed for two touchdowns in a 20-15 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1947. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Steve Young in a 30-10 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1997. . . . New York Giants E Buster Poole (three-year Arkansas hoops letterman was senior captain in 1936-37) scored a touchdown in his third consecutive contest in 1941. . . . New York Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three of his NFL-high 22 touchdown passes in a 29-24 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1950. . . . Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) had a go-ahead 48-yard rushing touchdown in 24-13 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1980. . . . Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught two touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 31-17 win against the New York Jets in 2014. Thomas had a total of nine TD receptions in his first five games of the season. . . . Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 42-28 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1947. . . . San Francisco 49ers TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) had a career-high seven pass receptions in a 27-21 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1969.
13: Chicago Bears DE Doug Atkins (center was Tennessee's third-leading scorer with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) had an interception in a 52-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1963. . . . Washington Redskins B Steve Bagarus (Notre Dame hooper in early 1940s) caught two go-ahead touchdown passes (51 and 13 yards) in a 24-14 win against the New York Giants in 1946. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes - including one for 81 yards to Dick Todd - in a 28-21 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1940. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) scored three touchdowns - including a 72-yard pass reception - in a 35-24 win against the New York Giants in 1963. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team hoops pick for SMU in late 1930s) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Paul Christman in a 36-14 win against the Detroit Lions in 1946. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught nine passes for 110 yards - including four touchdowns - in a 52-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1963. . . . Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (Wisconsin-Stevens Point hoops letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42) scored two touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 19-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1946. . . . Denver Broncos DB Charlie Greer (played seven games for Colorado in 1965-66 as sophomore) had two interceptions in a 21-13 win against the New York Jets in 1968. . . . Cincinnati Bengals rookie DE Harry Gunner (J.C. transfer averaged 4.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Oregon State, playing on NCAA playoff team in 1966) returned an interception 20 yards in a 13-3 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1968. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie B Tom Harmon (averaged 7.6 ppg as sophomore in 1938-39 when leading Michigan in scoring in five contests) scored two touchdowns - including an 84-yard run from scrimmage - in a 28-28 tie against the Chicago Bears in 1946. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught nine passes for 114 yards - including two second-quarter touchdowns - in a 31-20 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. . . . Washington Redskins FB Jack Jenkins (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1941 and 1942) opened the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in a 24-14 win against the New York Giants in 1946. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 428 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns - in a 24-23 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963. . . . Chicago Bears LB-C Eddie Kawal (Illinois hoops letterman in 1930) returned an interception 13 yards for a touchdown in a 39-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1935. . . . Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) had nine pass receptions in a 28-13 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2002. . . . Green Bay Packers E Ron Kramer (three-time All-Big Ten Conference hoops selection was Michigan's MVP each season and All-American as senior in 1956-57) had a career-high 87 receiving yards on four catches in a 37-28 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1963. . . . Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes (52 and 15 yards) in a 42-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1968. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 21-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1957. . . . Carolina Panthers rookie DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks and an interception in a 14-13 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 2002. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) threw his second touchdown pass in a three-game span in 1974. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in a 34-7 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2002. . . . Detroit Lions TE Mikhael Ricks (played three basketball games for Stephen F. Austin in 1995-96) opened the game's scoring with a 41-yard touchdown pass reception from Joey Harrington in a 31-24 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2002. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two touchdown passes in a 39-34 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1991. . . . Buffalo Bills DE Reggie Rogers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Washington from 1982-83 through 1984-85) registered a sack in a 42-6 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1991. . . . Washington Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two touchdown passes to Bobby Mitchell (66 and 35 yards) in a 37-24 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1963. . . . B Wilbur White (Colorado State hoops letterman from 1932 to 1935) accounted for the Brooklyn Dodgers' lone score with a four-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of a 10-7 setback against the New York Giants in 1935. . . . Dallas Cowboys TE Rayfield Wright (All-SIAC pick for Fort Valley State GA averaged 17 ppg and 15 rpg as junior and 21 ppg and 17.4 rpg as senior) caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Don Meredith in 34-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1968.
14: Detroit Wolverines E Carl Bacchus (three-year Missouri hoops letterman in mid-1920s) opened and completed the game's scoring with touchdown receptions in a 35-12 win against the New York Yankees in 1928. . . . Baltimore Colts DE Ordell Braase (first-team All-NCC pick for South Dakota in 1952-53 and 1953-54) returned a fumble recovery 10 yards for a touchdown in a 36-14 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1962. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught 12 passes for 187 yards, including two touchdown receptions from Roman Gabriel, in a 27-24 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973. . . . Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 31-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1956. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught eight passes for 132 yards in a 34-27 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1962. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught nine passes - including two touchdowns - in a 27-20 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2007. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw six touchdown passes - five in the first half - in a 61-14 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1949. . . . Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 56-17 win against the New York Titans in 1962. TE teammate Bob McLeod (all-time leading rebounder for Abilene Christian TX with 1,237 from 1957-58 through 1960-61) also caught two TD passes from Blanda. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie E Norb Hecker (four-sport letterman including hoops with Baldwin-Wallace OH) caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Bob Waterfield in 27-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1951. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1956. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught two touchdown passes in a 38-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 31-28 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2001. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw four touchdown passes in a 48-20 win against the Houston Oilers in 1973. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for more than 110 yards in third consecutive game in 1962. . . . Baltimore Ravens WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown in a 31-29 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2012. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Cliff Lewis (Duke hoops letterman in 1945) threw for one touchdown and rushed for another in the second half of a 61-14 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1949. . . . Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned a fumble recovery 69 yards for a touchdown in a 20-13 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2001. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoop letter in 1947) caught two touchdown passes - one for 77 yards - in a 28-24 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1951. . . . Baltimore Colts E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught two touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas in a 36-14 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1962. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had three of his league-high 16 touchdown receptions - including a 52-yarder in overtime to finish with nine catches for 183 yards - in a 37-31 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. The next year, Owens caught two TD passes from Garcia in a 28-21 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2002. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had nine pass receptions for 172 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 45-35 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1990. Three years later, Rison had two TD catches in a 30-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1993. . . . In his pro debut, Oakland Raiders RB Willie Simpson (San Francisco State letterman in 1960 and 1961 as hoops forward) rushed six times for 22 yards in a 23-6 setback against the Denver Broncos in 1962. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 37-31 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1973. Six years later, Staubach completed 13-of-18 passes - including three TDs - in a 30-6 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1979. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Morris Stroud Jr. (tallest TE in NFL history averaged 7.2 ppg and 10.2 rpg in 1967-68 when 6-10 junior shot team-high 50.9 FG% from floor for Clark Atlanta GA) opened the game's scoring with a touchdown reception from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in 10-10 tie against the Green Bay Packers in 1973. . . . New York Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in a 28-17 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951. . . . Boston Redskins rookie HB Ted Wright (North Texas State hoops letterman in 1932) scored his lone NFL touchdown with a 59-yard rush in a 39-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934.
15: New York Giants E O'Neal Adams (three-year letterman was third-leading scorer in 1941 when Arkansas reached NCAA Tournament national semifinals) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for the decisive score in a 14-7 win against the Brooklyn Tigers in 1944. . . . New York Giants DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) returned an interception 102 yards for a touchdown in a 31-10 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961. . . . Chicago Bears E Connie Mack Berry (All-Southern Conference second-team hoops selection as North Carolina State center in 1937 and 1938) caught two touchdown passes (51 and 15 yards) in a 34-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1944. . . . Dallas Cowboys DE Shante Carver (Arizona State hooper in 1992-93) had two sacks in a 23-9 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1995. . . . New York Giants B Stu Clancy (Holy Cross hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930 was captain as senior) scored a 46-yard rushing touchdown in a 56-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) completed 24-of-37 passes for 364 yards in a 45-31 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1967. Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught nine of Dawson's passes for 134 yards. Five years later, Taylor had 10 receptions in a 23-16 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1972. . . . New York Giants rookie B Scott Eaton (three-year Oregon State letterman averaged 6 ppg and 2.8 rpg) had an 18-yard pass reception in a 27-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 35-24 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2012. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 34-24 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted six times for 283 yards (47.2 average) in a 20-7 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) rushed for three touchdowns in a 28-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Earsell Mackbee (teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 1964-65) had two interceptions in a 10-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1967. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2006. . . . Frankfort Yellow Jackets rookie B Ken Mercer (three-year hoops letterman as Simpson IA forward) rushed for two touchdowns in a 54-0 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1927. . . . Chicago Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1936) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns (pass reception and interception return) in a 44-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1939. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 31-28 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 2000. Six years later with the Dallas Cowboys, Owens caught three second-half TD passes in a 34-6 win against the Houston Texans in 2006. . . . Cleveland Rams E Steve Pritko (Villanova two-year hoops letterman) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1944. . . . New York Giants rookie B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 56-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933. . . . Atlanta Falcons LB Marion Rushing (Southern Illinois hooper from 1954-55 through 1956-57) had an interception in a 20-20 tie against the Washington Redskins in 1967. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions in a 20-0 win against the Washington Redskins in 1961. . . . New York Jets TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (averaged 1.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg as Washington freshman in 2011-12) had career-high eight pass receptions - including touchdown in second of three straight games - in a 24-17 setback against the New England Patriots in 2017. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught three touchdown passes from Brian Griese in a 44-10 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2000. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-27 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1967. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978. . . . New York Jets SS Shafer Suggs (averaged 10.7 ppg and 7.9 rpg in three-year career, setting Ball State record with nine consecutive field goals without miss and leading Cardinals in rebounding in 1974-75) returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown in a 14-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1979.
16: Chicago Bears DE Doug Atkins (third-leading scorer as Tennessee center with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) had an interception in a 17-0 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1966. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw four touchdown passes in a 38-14 win against the New York Bulldogs in 1949. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned a fumble recovery seven yards for a touchdown in a 34-13 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1966. . . . New York Giants B Chris Cagle (four-year hoops letterman for USL and Army in mid-1920s) scored two first-quarter touchdowns (rush and 40-yard reception) in a 20-12 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932. . . . Chicago Bears rookie FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two touchdowns - including an NFL-long 81 yards for his first pro score - in a 38-10 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1955. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 21-17 win against the New York Jets in 1977. . . . Houston Oilers rookie WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) had a career-high 10 pass receptions in a 20-10 win against the Dallas Texans in 1960. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) had two interceptions in a 35-7 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1966. . . . New York Jets RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) rushed for 122 yards in a 24-17 win against the New England Patriots in 1994. . . . Green Bay Packers rookie E Bill Kelley (Texas Tech hoops letterman in 1945 and 1946) caught a touchdown pass in a 39-17 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1949. . . . Chicago Bears TE Greg Latta (two-year Morgan State letterman averaged 9.3 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 15 games in 1970-71) caught a touchdown pass in his third contest of a four-game span in 1977. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-0 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1954. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 24-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1988. . . . Detroit Lions TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in two seasons in 1992-93 and 1993-94) had three pass receptions for 105 yards in a 21-20 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2005. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two touchdown passes from Cotton Davidson in a 43-43 tie against the Boston Patriots in 1964. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) returned a punt 72 yards for touchdown in 23-17 setback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005. . . . Kansas City Chiefs WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Elvis Grbac in a 31-3 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1997. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1966. . . . Cincinnati Bengals DE Alfred Williams (Colorado hooper in 1989-90) had four sacks in a 14-10 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1994. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught eight passes for 133 yards - including 48-yard touchdown from Marcus Mariota - in a 28-26 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2016.
17: Brooklyn Dodgers HB Al Akins (forward was hoops letterman for Washington in 1944 after lettering with Washington State previous two years) opened the game's scoring with an 18-yard rushing touchdown in a 14-14 tie against the Buffalo Bills in 1947. . . . Washington Redskins RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) scored three touchdowns from at least 60 yards (interception return from 65 and rushes from 60 and 62) in a 34-20 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1937. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw four touchdown passes in a 33-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1943. . . . New York Jets QB Bob Davis (sixth man for Virginia in 1964-65 when averaging 9.1 ppg and 4.1 rpg) threw two touchdown passes for the first of three consecutive contests to finish the month in 1971. . . . Chicago Bears HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee hoops regular in 1931-32) opened the game's scoring with a four-yard rushing touchdown in a 16-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1937. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) threw four touchdown passes - including a 78-yarder to Ray Mathews - in a 55-27 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1954. Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes. . . . Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two touchdown passes in a 31-17 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw four touchdown passes in a 41-3 win against the New England Patriots in 1971. Five years later, Griese passed for 306 yards in a 20-17 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1976. . . . Detroit Lions rookie E Chuck Hanneman (three-year Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in mid-1930s) rushed for a 50-yard touchdown in a 30-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1937. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw for 321 yards - including three touchdown passes - in a 35-27 setback against the New York Giants in 1965. . . . Detroit Lions rookie B Vern Huffman (All-American was All-Big Ten Conference selection for Indiana in 1935-36 and 1936-37) returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown in a 30-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1937. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas hoops letterman in early 1940s) caught three touchdown passes - including two 45-yarders in the second quarter - in a 63-35 win against the New York Giants in 1948. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Johnny Lattner (Notre Dame forward in 1951-52) scored a touchdown in each of his first four games in 1954. . . . Green Bay Packers WR Bob Long (Wichita State hooper in 1960-61 and 1961-62 under coach Ralph Miller) caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from Bart Starr in a 31-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1965. It was Long's third consecutive contest with a TD reception. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) rushed for 191 yards on 26 carries - including two touchdowns - in a 20-17 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1976. . . . Detroit Lions DB Wayne Rasmussen (MVP in 1963 NCAA College Division Tournament for South Dakota State) returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown in 31-21 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1965. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 24-14 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 1971. Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted five times for 246 yards (49.2 average).
18: San Francisco 49ers RB Joe Arenas (averaged 6.2 ppg in 1949-50 and 1950-51 for Nebraska-Omaha) provided a 60-yard rushing touchdown in a come-from-behind 35-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1953. . . . Cleveland Browns DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown in a 42-31 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 21-10 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942. . . . Kansas City Chiefs DE Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned a fumble recovery 11 yards for a touchdown in a 35-22 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1964. . . . WR Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65) accounted for both of the Buffalo Bills' touchdowns with pass receptions in a 33-14 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1970. Briscoe finished the game with seven catches for 145 yards. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 188 yards on 26 carries in a 20-16 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1964. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught eight passes for 109 yards in a 35-23 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1981. . . . Portsmouth Spartans rookie TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) provided all three of the game's touchdowns - two of them rushes for 15 yards - in a 19-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931. . . . Rookie E Milan Creighton (All-SWC second-team guard for Arkansas in 1929-30) opened the scoring for the Chicago Cardinals with a 15-yard touchdown reception from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in a 26-13 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1931. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three second-quarter touchdown passes in a 38-16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971. Two of Dawson's TDs were caught by WR Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M). . . . Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught two touchdown passes from Jack Kemp in a 35-22 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1964. . . . Baltimore Colts QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team hoops selection under his father was Arizona co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 37-14 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1953. . . . Chicago Bears HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee hoops regular in 1931-32) rushed for two touchdowns in a 26-7 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1936. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) had nine pass receptions for the second straight week in 2015. . . . Seattle Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) had eight pass receptions for 140 yards in a 27-23 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2015. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoops games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught 10 passes for 148 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns - in a 31-20 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 38-24 win against the Washington Redskins in 1964. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 20-20 tie against the San Francisco 49ers in 1970. . . . Cleveland Rams B Bill Lazetich (three-year Montana hoops letterman in late 1930s) scored a touchdown in his second straight game in 1942. . . . Los Angeles Rams TE James McDonald (four-year Southern California letterman in early 1980s averaged 8.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg as senior forward) caught a touchdown pass from Steve Dils for the second consecutive contest in 1987. . . . In his only game as a rookie in 1987, Buffalo Bills TE Keith McKeller (starting center for Jacksonville State's 1985 NCAA Division II championship team led Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of his first three seasons and finished second as senior) had nine pass receptions in a 6-3 win against the New York Giants. . . . Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had two sacks and seven tackles in a 28-21 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009. . . . Producing his lone NFL pass reception, New England Patriots WR Clay Pickering (Maine scoring leader with 15.6 ppg as junior in 1981-82) caught a 10-yarder from Doug Flutie in a 21-7 win against the Houston Oilers in 1987. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie WR Bucky Pope (two-time All-Carolinas Conference pick for Catawba NC averaged 19.4 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught three touchdown passes from Roman Gabriel in a 42-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1964. . . . Los Angeles Rams WR Del Shofner (Baylor letterman in 1956) had two touchdown receptions in a 45-6 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1959. . . . Chicago Bears DE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) returned a blocked punt 21 yards for a touchdown in a 35-28 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1953. . . . Green Bay Packers TE Don Summers (averaged 13.4 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Oregon Tech in 1980-81) had at least two pass receptions in his third consecutive contest in 1987. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DE George Tarasovic (led NLU forerunner Northeast Junior College LA with 21 ppg in 1950-51) returned a fumble recovery 38 yards for a touchdown in a 27-6 win against the Washington Redskins in 1959.
19: Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoops championship in 1943) caught two touchdown passes in a 24-16 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1952. . . . New York Giants E Glenn Campbell (Emporia State KS hooper) caught two touchdown passes in a 53-0 win against the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1930. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers TB Johnny Clement (SMU hoops letterman in 1940) threw two touchdown passes and rushed for two TDs in a 35-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1947. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw four touchdown passes in a 49-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1952. Browns DE Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) opened the game's scoring with a fumble recovery return for TD. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 43-0 win against the New York Jets in 1975. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught seven passes for 129 yards in a 34-26 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003. . . . Philadelphia Eagles rookie E Dick Humbert (three-year starter captained Richmond team as senior when averaging 7.4 ppg) opened the game's scoring with a four-yard touchdown catch in a 21-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1941. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. . . . B Wild Bill Kelly (two-year Montana hoops letterman in mid-1920s) accounted for the Frankfort Yellow Jackets' lone score with a five-yard rushing touchdown in a 6-6 tie against the Orange Tornadoes in 1929. . . . San Francisco 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns in a 35-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. . . . WR Dave Logan (three-time scoring runner-up averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from Brian Sipe in the fourth quarter to give the Cleveland Browns a 26-21 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1980. . . . St. Louis Rams WR Dane Looker (averaged 4.8 ppg as Western Washington freshman in 1995-96 and 10.2 ppg as sophomore in 1996-97 before transferring to Washington and concentrating on football) had a touchdown reception in his third contest of a five-game span in 2003. . . . New York GiantsWR Bob McChesney (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1945-46) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Charlie Conerly in a 24-23 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1952. . . . TE Rich McGeorge (all-league hooper for Elon averaged 13.7 ppg and 9.1 rpg while making 59% of his field-goal attempts) had a 26-yard touchdown reception from John Hadl in the fourth quarter to give the Green Bay Packers a 19-17 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1975. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoop letter in 1947) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) in a 28-24 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1952. Redskins E Hugh Taylor (OCU leading scorer with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught two second-half TD passes. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Steve Young in a 35-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. Six years later, Owens had six pass receptions for 152 yards in a 24-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003. . . . Chicago Rockets B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns (one rush/two pass receptions) in a 31-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1947. . . . Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) had a career-long 44-yard touchdown catch in a 48-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1981. . . . Los Angeles Rams WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) opened the game's scoring with a 92-yard touchdown reception in a 31-10 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1958. . . . San Francisco 49ers QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 35-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1975. . . . Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had four pass receptions for 131 yards in a 17-10 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1969. . . . Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1947. . . . Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted four times for 200 yards (50.0 average) in a 49-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969. . . . B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) provided the Staten Island Stapletons' lone score with a 37-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter in a 7-6 setback against the Providence Steam Roller in 1930.
20: Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 34-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1940. . . . Detroit Lions rookie TB J.R. Callahan (Texas Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) threw a 56-yard touchdown pass in a 35-14 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1946. The previous week, Callahan rushed for a six-yard TD in 36-14 setback against the Chicago Cardinals. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Dobie Craig (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Howard Payne TX in 1960-61) had a 93-yard pass reception and run for touchdown in 49-26 win against the New York Jets in 1963. . . . Chicago Bears HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee hoops regular in 1931-32) opened the game's scoring with a 19-yard rushing touchdown in a 24-14 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1935. . . . Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown in a 20-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1968. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-22 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968. Rookie DE Harry Gunner (J.C. transfer averaged 4.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Oregon State, playing on NCAA playoff team in 1966) registered a safety by tackling Griese. . . . Rookie B Swede Hagberg (three-year West Virginia hoops letterman in late 1920s) scored the Buffalo Bisons' only touchdown with a 34-yard pass reception in a 7-7 tie against the Providence Steam Roller in 1929. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two touchdown passes in a 17-10 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted six times for 286 yards (47.7 average) in a 37-7 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1963. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught two touchdown passes for the second week in a row in 2013. Jackson had 10 receptions for 138 yards. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-27 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1957. . . . FB J.W. Lockett (three-year hoops letterman led Central Oklahoma with 8.8 rpg in 1958-59) scored the Baltimore Colts' first touchdown with an 11-yard pass reception from Johnny Unitas in 25-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1963. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 20-17 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1991. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie HB Banks McFadden (led Clemson in scoring each of his three seasons en route to becoming school's first hoops All-American in 1939) threw a 71-yard touchdown pass to Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) in 16-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1940. . . . CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) opened the Houston Oilers' scoring by intercepting a Joe Namath pass and returning it 51 yards for touchdown in 26-17 setback against the New York Jets in 1963. . . . Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) converted all five of his field-goal attempts in a 29-16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1968. . . . Minnesota Vikings WR Jerry Reichow (Iowa hooper in 1954-55) caught a 57-yard touchdown pass from Fran Tarkenton in 27-24 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1963. . . . Washington Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 309 yards in a 38-27 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963. . . . Chicago Bears TE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) opened the game's scoring with a 34-yard touchdown catch from Sid Luckman in 21-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1946. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Kitrick Taylor (Washington State hooper in 1984-85 and 1986-87) returned five punts for 79 yards in a 30-24 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1991. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Wilbur White (Colorado State letterman from 1932 through 1935) threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) in 24-14 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1935. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught nine passes in a 31-17 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 2013.
21: Washington Redskins FB Frank Akins (averaged 1.7 ppg for Washington State's 1941 NCAA Tournament runner-up) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 24-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1945. . . . LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) opened the Houston Texans' scoring with a safety tackling QB Joe Flacco in 43-13 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. . . . Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two touchdowns in a 58-27 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1956. Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two second-quarter TD receptions (37 and 68 yards). . . . Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman hooper in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) scored a touchdown on a 27-yard interception return in a 21-19 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2007. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two touchdown passes in a 35-8 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 1999. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-6 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1973. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught seven passes for 216 yards - including one for a league-high 95 yards - in 35-28 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2012. . . . San Francisco 49ers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for two touchdowns in a 20-17 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1956. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) passed for 294 yards and two second-quarter touchdowns in a 31-13 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973. . . . Atlanta Falcons rookie CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) returned an interception 81 yards in 41-0 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1973. Six years later, Lawrence returned a blocked punt 41 yards for touchdown in 20-15 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1979. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Bill Mackrides (Nevada-Reno hoops letterman in 1944) opened the game's scoring with a 22-yard touchdown pass in a 26-24 setback against the New York Giants in 1951. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had five pass receptions for 161 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 44-24 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1990. . . . Boston B Frank Sachse (All-Border Conference second-team forward for Texas Tech in 1937-38 with 16.8 ppg) threw an 80-yard touchdown pass in 38-14 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1945. . . . Baltimore Colts rookie LB Bill Saul (averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1959-60) secured a safety in 35-15 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1962. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 45-28 win against the New York Giants in 1973. Six years later, Staubach threw two second-quarter TD passes in a 22-13 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown in a 49-28 setback against the New England Patriots in 2007. . . . New York Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown in a 26-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951.
22: New York Giants B Len Barnum (West Virginia Wesleyan hooper) rushed for a touchdown in his second consecutive contest in 1939. . . . Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) caught a touchdown pass from Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) for the third consecutive contest in 1950. . . . Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for three touchdowns in a 28-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934. . . . Chicago Bears rookie TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught two touchdown passes in a 31-0 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1961. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught nine passes in a 30-27 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2006. Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught six passes for 138 yards. . . . Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two touchdown passes in a 38-7 win against the Dallas Texans in 1961. . . . Green Bay Packers RB-K Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) converted all four of his field-goal attempts in a 33-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1961. . . . Washington Redskins QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three touchdown passes to Albert Connell in a 35-16 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2000. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 361 yards - including two first-half touchdowns - in a 30-23 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1972. . . . E Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) accounted for the Chicago Bears' lone touchdown with a 24-yard catch from Red Grange in the fourth quarter in 10-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1933. . . . Rookie FB J.W. Lockett (three-year hoops letterman led Central Oklahoma with 8.8 rpg in 1958-59) scored the Dallas Cowboys' lone touchdown with five-yard pass from Don Meredith in second game in a row in 1961. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 302 yards - including three second-half touchdowns - in a 23-21 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006. . . . Rookie DB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) opened the Houston Oilers' scoring with a 92-yard kickoff return for touchdown in 24-19 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1967. . . . Baltimore Colts HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) had two touchdown pass receptions in a 70-27 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1950. . . . Chicago Bears E Dick Plasman (Vanderbilt two-year starting hoops center named to 1936 All-SEC Tournament second five) caught a 68-yard touchdown pass from Sid Luckman in 16-13 setback against the New York Giants in 1939. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had 12 pass receptions for 160 yards in a 27-10 setback against the Denver Broncos in 1961. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) returned a punt 87 yards for touchdown in 36-22 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. . . . New York Giants rookie B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) had a 70-yard rushing touchdown in 21-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1933. . . . Chicago Bears QB Gene Ronzani (among Marquette's top four scorers in 1931-32 and 1932-33) threw three touchdown passes - all at least 28 yards - in a 21-21 tie against the Detroit Lions in 1944. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Tom Rychlec (collected four points and six rebounds in one hoops game for American International MA in 1954-55) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 52-21 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1961. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had at least one interception in his fourth consecutive contest in 1961. . . . Detroit Lions B Bill Shepherd (Western Maryland hooper) opened the game's scoring with a 58-yard rushing touchdown in a 26-7 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1939. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 321 yards - including two first-quarter touchdown passes highlighted by 87-yarder to Ben Hawkins - in a 48-14 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967. . . . Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (OCU leading scorer with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught three touchdown passes from Harry Gilmer in a 38-28 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950. . . . Philadelphia Eagles rookie DE Norm Willey (Marshall center in late 1940s) opened the game's scoring by returning an interception 41 yards for a touchdown in 17-10 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1950.
23: Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 167 yards in a 31-29 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) rushed for a first-half touchdown in his fourth consecutive contest of the month in 1955. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) caught five passes for 111 yards in a 27-16 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1977. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 35-21 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2014. . . . New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 62-7 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2011. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes for the second straight game in 1977. . . . Houston Oilers rookie WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught three first-half touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 42-28 win against the New York Titans in 1960. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two of his league-high 13 touchdowns in a 41-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1960. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 35-28 setback against the New York Giants in 1949. . . . A fourth-quarter field goal by Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) boosted the Chicago Bears to a 13-10 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1972. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two of his AFL-high 14 touchdown catches in a 42-28 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1960. . . . New England Patriots TE Derrick Ramsey (grabbed three rebounds in two Kentucky games in 1975-76) caught two touchdown passes from Steve Grogan in a 31-0 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1983. . . . Cleveland Browns QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1955. . . . Green Bay Packers E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) opened the game's scoring by returning an interception 16 yards for a touchdown in 13-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-3 win against the New York Giants in 1966. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had 10 of his AFL-leading 92 pass receptions in a 31-24 win against the Boston Patriots in 1960. . . . New York Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in a 35-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1949. . . . San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle (37 and 72 yards) in a 34-23 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1955.
24: New York Giants E O'Neal Adams (three-year letterman was third-leading scorer in 1941 when Arkansas reached NCAA Tournament national semifinals) opened the game's scoring by returning a blocked punt 34 yards for a touchdown in a 42-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1943. . . . Cincinnati Bengals rookie QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) completed 14-of-20 passes (including two touchdowns) and rushed for one TD in a 31-27 loss against the Oakland Raiders in 1971. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 177 yards on 24 carries in a 38-14 win against the New York Giants in 1965. . . . Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for two touchdowns in a 28-20 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1937. . . . Cleveland Browns B Bob Cowan (averaged 1.7 ppg for Indiana in 1942-43) caught a career-best 63-yard touchdown pass from Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) in a 35-7 win against the New York Yankees in 1948. It was one of four TD passes for Graham. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 27-20 win against the Washington Redskins in 1971. WR Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught two of Dawson's TD passes. . . . Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught five passes for 218 yards - including two 44-yard touchdowns - in a 34-24 win against the New York Jets in 1964. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers TB Ray Evans (two-time All-American was four-year hoops letterman and second-leading scorer for Kansas in 1942 NCAA Tournament) threw two touchdown passes in a 34-27 setback against the New York Giants in 1948. . . . Only pass reception of pro career for George Grimes (Virginia hoops letterman in 1943) was a 17-yard touchdown from Detroit Lions teammate Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team selection under his father was Arizona co-captain as senior in 1947-48) in a 34-27 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1948. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 37-34 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2010. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for two touchdowns in a 37-31 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1954. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two first-half touchdown passes to Charley Taylor in a 27-20 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1971. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) scored two touchdowns (one pass reception/one rushing) in a 41-27 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1993. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas hoops letterman in early 1940s) scored two third-quarter touchdowns in a 49-27 win against the Boston Yanks in 1948. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 376 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-31 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2004. In the midst of five consecutive contests with more than 100 receiving yards, Eagles WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half TD passes from McNabb. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers E Max Morris (All-American in 1945 and 1946 when two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection averaged 16.3 ppg for Northwestern) had a 24-yard touchdown pass reception in 35-14 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1948. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) rushed for two of his AAFC-high 10 touchdowns in a 35-21 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1948. . . . Dallas Cowboys RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Danny White in a 31-21 win against the Chicago Bears in 1976. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two second-half touchdown catches in a 30-21 win against the Boston Patriots in 1965. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Mikhael Ricks (played three hoop games for Stephen F. Austin in 1995-96) had a career-high six pass receptions in a 31-3 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1999. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie B Frank Sachse (All-Border Conference second-team forward for Texas Tech in 1937-38 with 16.8 ppg) threw a 57-yard touchdown pass in 33-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1943. . . . Washington Redskins DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions in a 24-20 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes to Bob Hayes in a 44-21 win against the New England Patriots in 1971. . . . New York Giants E Will Walls (starting forward with TCU for three years from 1935 through 1937) caught a 31-yard touchdown pass in a 42-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1943. . . . San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 37-31 win against the Detroit Lions in 1954. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State hoops letterman as center in 1938 and 1939) threw three touchdown passes in a 49-27 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1948.
25: Chicago Bears E Connie Mack Berry (All-Southern Conference second-team selection as North Carolina State hoops center in 1937 and 1938) scored the Chicago Bears' last two touchdowns (32-yard rush and 46-yard fumble return) as they remained undefeated (11-0) with a 45-14 win against the Philadelpia Eagles in 1942. . . . New York Giants B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) scored two touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 27-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught 13 passes for 168 yards in a 27-20 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1964. . . . Baltimore Colts CB Jim Duncan (UMES hooper) returned an interception 26 yards in a 27-3 win against the Boston Patriots in 1970. The previous week, Duncan returned an INT 30 yards in a 29-22 win against the New York Jets. . . . Green Bay Packers TB Weert Englemann (All-NCC for South Dakota State) scored three first-quarter touchdowns - two on passes from Red Dunn (four-year Marquette letterman first half of 1920s) and an 85-yard kickoff return - in a 48-20 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1931. . . . Chicago Bears rookie WR George Farmer (teammate of UCLA legend Lew Alcindor in 1968-69) caught six passes for 147 yards in a 16-10 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1970. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught five passes for 142 yards in a 37-7 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. . . . Philadelphia Eagles FB Bert Johnson (played one game in 1934-35 under legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp) had a 3-yard touchdown reception in a 45-14 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1942. . . . E Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) supplied the Chicago Bears' lone touchdown with a 14-yard pass reception in a 12-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1936. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) scored the game's lone touchdown by returning an interception 57 yards in a 9-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1936. . . . Atlanta Falcons rookie DE Randy Marshall (letterman on 1966 NWC championship hoops squad for Linfield OR) returned a fumble recovery for touchdown in 32-14 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1970. . . . Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) had an interception in his third consecutive contest in 1970. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two first-half touchdowns in a 34-7 win against the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1930. . . . A 46-yard touchdown catch by E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) in the fourth quarter gave the San Francisco 49ers a 20-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1959. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) scored two second-half touchdowns in a 28-10 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1998. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught nine passes for 152 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 40-7 win against the Denver Broncos in 1964. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) had more than 100 receiving yards for the second straight game in 1981. . . . New York Giants B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) rushed for go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 21-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1936. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers LB Bill Saul (averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1959-60) returned an interception 13 yards in a 34-10 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1964. . . . Philadelphia Eagles DE Tom Scott (hoop letterman as Virginia forward in 1951) recovered a fumble for a touchdown in a 56-17 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1953. . . . Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted seven times for 321 yards (45.9 average) in a 27-16 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1970. . . . New York Giants B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) returned an interception 77 yards for a touchdown in 27-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931.
26: WR Don Alley (collected 12 points and 13 rebounds in seven hoops games for Adams State CO in 1963-64) had a career-long 16-yard pass reception from Terry Hanratty for the Pittsburgh Steelers' lone score in 14-7 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1969. . . . A three-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter by Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) was the difference in 21-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1975. . . . A touchdown catch by New York Giants TE Kevin Boss (averaged 3 ppg and 2.7 rpg while shooting 51.9% from floor for Western Oregon in 2004-05 and 2005-06) with 3:07 remaining was the difference in 21-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for four touchdowns - two of them for 41 and 62 yards - in a 38-24 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1958. . . . New York Giants B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) scored two touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 25-0 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1930. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Roman Gabriel in a 20-17 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1975. . . . New York Giants T Victor Carroll (three-year hoops letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) caught an 18-yard touchdown pass in a 38-21 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1947. . . . Rookie B Clyde Crabtree (Florida hoops letterman in 1928 and 1929) scored the only touchdown for the Frankfort Yellow Jackets (44-yard pass reception) in a 13-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1930. . . . Rookie WR Dobie Craig (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Howard Payne TX in 1960-61) opened the Oakland Raiders' scoring with a 34-yard touchdown catch from Cotton Davidson in 26-16 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1962. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team hoops pick for SMU in late 1930s) caught two touchdown passes from Paul Christman in a 27-7 win against the Boston Yanks in 1947. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) threw three of his league-high 20 touchdown passes - one of them to Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) - in a 34-28 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1952. . . . Dallas Cowboys TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) had career highs with seven pass receptions for 93 yards in a 20-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1975. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 14-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1947. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-6 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1969. . . . Cincinnati Bengals DE Harry Gunner (J.C. transfer averaged 4.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Oregon State, playing on NCAA playoff team in 1966) returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown in a 42-22 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1969. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 306 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-21 tie against the Cleveland Browns in 1969. . . . Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a punt 73 yards for touchdown in 35-6 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 52-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1952. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (three-time scoring runner-up averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught eight passes for 131 yards in a 27-26 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions - returning one of them 55 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown - in a 31-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1986. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Earsell Mackbee (teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 1964-65) had three interceptions in a 24-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1969. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie HB Banks McFadden (led Clemson in scoring each of his three seasons en route to becoming school's first hoops All-American in 1939) had a 75-yard rushing touchdown in 21-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1940. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two touchdowns in a 23-13 win against the Portsmouth Spartans in 1930. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Brian Sipe in a 27-26 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown in a 33-21 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2003. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) passed for 314 yards in a 20-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1975. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) caught two touchdown passes in a 35-35 tie against the New York Jets in 1963. . . . B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) threw a 12-yard touchdown pass for the Staten Island Stapletons' only score in 6-6 tie with the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1929.
27: Denver Broncos QB Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 21-14 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1968. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie HB Don Durdan (Oregon State hoops letterman from 1941 to 1943) caught a touchdown pass from Frankie Albert in a 34-20 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1946. . . . New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two of his NFL-high 16 touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 35-17 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2013. . . . Rookie B Swede Hagberg (three-year West Virginia hoops letterman in late 1920s) scored the Buffalo Bisons' only touchdown with a 55-yard pass reception in a 14-6 setback against the Boston Bulldogs in 1929. . . . Green Bay Packers rookie RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 24-21 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1957. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 21-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1963. Eleven years later with the Denver Broncos, Johnson threw two first-half TD passes in a 23-21 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1974. . . . E Chuck Kassel (Illinois hoops letterman in 1925 and 1926) accounted for the Chicago Cardinals' lone touchdown with a 28-yard catch from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in a 7-6 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1929. . . . Miami Dolphins RB Jerris McPhail (starting point guard for Mount Olive NC with 11 ppg in early 1990s) scored two first-half touchdowns - 71-yard run from scrimmage and 10-yard pass reception from Dan Marino - in a 36-33 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1997. The previous year as a rookie, McPhail returned two kickoffs for 69 yards in 29-10 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1996. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia (21 and 61 yards) in a 38-28 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2002. . . . Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) converted all four of his field-goal attempts - including a decisive 47-yarder in the fourth quarter - in 26-24 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1968. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two touchdown catches in a 34-33 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1963. . . . B Dave Ryan (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) had the Detroit Lions' only score by returning a fumble recovery 36 yards for touchdown in 10-7 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1946. . . . Cincinnati Bengals rookie WR S.T. Saffold (two-time All-WCAC first-team choice led San Jose State in scoring and rebounding all three seasons from 1963-64 through 1965-66 while averaging 14.6 ppg and 9.8 rpg) had career highs of five pass receptions for 66 yards in a 31-10 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1968. . . . New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions in a 48-14 win against the Boston Patriots in 1968. . . . An 11-yard pass reception by E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) for a fourth-quarter touchdown propelled the San Francisco 49ers to a 21-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1957. . . . TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jim Plunkett in the fourth quarter to power the New England Patriots to a 17-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1974. . . . New York Giants LB Bill Winter (St. Olaf MN hoops letterman averaged 5.3 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 1960-61 and 1961-62) had an interception in 33-6 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1963.
28: Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) had four of his NFL-leading 12 rushing touchdowns in a 38-21 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1956, giving him 10 rushing TDs during the month. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) provided a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter with a 49-yard pass to Joe Geri in a 28-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951. . . . Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for two touchdowns - including one for 82 yards - in a 38-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1934. . . . Chicago Bears rookie HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee hoops regular in 1931-32) scored two touchdowns for the second straight game in 1934. . . . A seven-yard touchdown reception by Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) in the fourth quarter from Joe Ferguson gave the Buffalo Bills a 20-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1979. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 35-10 win against the Houston Texans in 2007. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 14-13 win against the New York Giants in 1951. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Jack Grossman (two-year Rutgers hoops letterman in early 1930s) scored two touchdowns - including a 72-yard punt return - in a 21-3 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934. . . . Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had three sacks and five tackles in a 23-22 setback against the Chicago Bears in 2012. . . . Boston Redskins B Steve Hokuf (first-team All-Big Six Conference hoops selection for Nebraska in 1931 and 1933) supplied the game's lone touchdown with a 45-yard pass in a 9-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1934. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2001. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962. Eleven years later with the Denver Broncos, Johnson threw two first-quarter TD passes in a 40-28 win against the New York Jets in 1973. . . . Carolina Panthers TE Jeff King (collected 18 points and 23 rebounds in 16 games as Virginia Tech freshman in 2004-05) had 10 pass receptions in a 31-7 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-23 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1951. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 333 yards in a 23-16 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. . . . Denver Broncos TE Gene Prebola (Boston University hooper in 1957-58) caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Frank Tripucka in a 45-38 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1962. . . . Chicago Bears B Gene Ronzani (among Marquette's top four hoops scorers in 1931-32 and 1932-33) threw two touchdown passes in a 27-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1934. . . . New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had 11 pass receptions for 269 yards in a 49-34 win against the Washington Redskins in 1962. Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 346 yards - including four touchdowns (one in each quarter). . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught six passes for 159 yards in a 31-20 win against the New England Patriots in 2001. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-16 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973.
29: New York Giants E Red Badgro (All-Pacific Coast Conference first-five pick as forward in 1926-27 when named USC's MVP) opened the game's scoring with a 15-yard touchdown reception in a 34-7 win against the Newark Tornadoes in 1930. . . . Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had two touchdown receptions in a 28-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1944. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught seven passes for 126 yards in a 16-10 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978. . . . In 1950, Los Angeles Rams rookie RB Glenn Davis (Army hooper in 1944-45 and 1945-46) scored a touchdown in his third different game of the month (45-yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin). . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie E Ben Douglas (two-time All-MVC second-team hoops selection for Grinnell IA in 1929-30 and 1930-31) accounted for the game's only score with a touchdown on pass reception in 7-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1933. It was Douglas' lone professional TD. . . . Detroit Lions QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team hoops selection under his father was Arizona co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two second-half touchdown passes of more than 40 yards to John Greene in a 65-24 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1950. . . . Chicago Bears WR George Farmer (teammate of UCLA legend Lew Alcindor in 1968-69) caught five passes for 141 yards in a 27-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972. . . . TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two touchdown passes from Russell Wilson in the last 5 1/2 minutes to give the Seattle Seahawks a 41-38 win against the Houston Texans in 2017. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught eight passes for career-high 224 yards. . . . Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) had an interception in his fourth consecutive contest of the month in 1967. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 26-8 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1978. . . . Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) had two of his AFL-leading 17 pass reception touchdowns in a 28-16 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1961. Groman was in the midst of having at least two TD catches four times in a five-game span. . . . New York Giants rookie E Pete Hall (collected 20 points and 13 rebounds in 17 Marquette games in 1957-58 and 1958-59) caught a 20-yard pass in 17-16 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961. . . . Dallas Cowboys rookie FB J.W. Lockett (three-year hoops letterman led Central Oklahoma with 8.8 rpg in 1958-59) had a career-high 66 rushing yards in 17-16 win against the New York Giants in 1961. . . . Chicago Bears B Keith Molesworth (three-year hoops letterman for Monmouth IL in late 1920s) threw two touchdown passes in a 14-10 win against the New York Giants in 1933. . . . E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) had at least 100 receiving yards for the first of six times in the San Francisco 49ers' last eight games of the 1961 season. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 34-24 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2000. . . . New York Yankees E Barney Poole (Ole Miss hoops letterman in 1943) caught a 52-yard touchdown pass from George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) in the fourth quarter in a 38-27 win against the Chicago Bears in 1950. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had seven pass receptions for 173 yards in a 29-26 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1995. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes in a 41-20 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1978. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Bob Shaw (Ohio State hoops starter in 1942 and 1943) caught a touchdown pass in all five games of the month in 1950. . . . Rookie WR Dave Stief (hoops teammate of Portland State All-American Freeman Williams in 1977-78) caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Jim Hart to put the St. Louis Cardinals ahead to stay in a 16-10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1978. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State letterman as hoops center in 1938 and 1939) rushed for a fourth-quarter touchdown to account for the decisive score in 24-17 win against the New York Giants in 1944.
30: Kansas City Chiefs TE Reg Carolan (Idaho three-year hoops letterman in early 1960s averaged 4 ppg and 4.7 rpg) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in a 48-23 win against the Houston Oilers in 1966. . . . Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman hooper in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had 12 tackles, seven assists and an interception in a 23-0 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 2011. . . . Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 23-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1977. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught 10 passes for 145 yards - including three for touchdowns - from Drew Brees in a 28-20 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005. . . . Dallas Cowboys E Pete Gent (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection averaged 17.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg while leading Michigan State in scoring each season from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught an 84-yard touchdown pass from Don Meredith in 52-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1966. . . . Green Bay Packers B Roger Grove (forward led Michigan State in scoring in 1929-30 and 1930-31) caught two touchdown passes in a 26-0 win against the Staten Island Stapletons in 1932. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had three of his league-high nine touchdown receptions in a 31-20 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1955. . . . Green Bay Packers RB-K Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) kicked four field goals in a 19-13 win against the Pittsburgh Stellers in 1960. . . . Washington Redskins DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had an interception in his third different game of the month in 1977. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 14-7 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1977. The next year, Lawrence had two INTs in a 15-7 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1978. . . . New York Giants rookie E Frank LoVuolo (three-year St. Bonaventure hoops letterman in mid-1940s) returned a fumble recovery 25 yards for a touchdown in 41-38 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1949. . . . Los Angeles Rams DE Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown in a 48-35 win against the Detroit Lions in 1960. . . . Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas (89 and 17 yards) in a 17-3 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1966. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes - including a 91-yarder to WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) - in a 49-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 2005. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Kelly in a 44-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1994. . . . Duluth Eskimos FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for three touchdowns in a 21-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1927. . . . Houston Oilers QB Gifford Nielsen (BYU swingman averaged 6.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 1973-74 and 1974-75) threw two touchdown passes to Mike Renfro in a 25-19 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1983. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) rushed for 153 yards on 18 carries - including a 78-yarder for a touchdown - in a 44-7 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1977. . . . Denver Broncos S Al Romine (four-year hoops letterman from 1951-52 through 1954-55 for Florence State AL) returned an interception 20 yards in a 17-14 setback against the Dallas Texans in 1960. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers LB Bill Saul (averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1959-60) returned an interception 13 yards in a 52-21 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1966. . . . Cleveland Bulldogs rookie RB Jim Simmons (made half-court shot at buzzer boosting Southwestern Oklahoma State to conference crown) had rushing touchdown in fourth game in a row in 1927. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 37-0 win against the Detroit Lions in 1977. . . . In the midst of five consecutive contests with a touchdown catch, Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had five pass receptions for 187 yards in a 48-23 win against the Houston Oilers in 1966. . . . New York Giants rookie B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) returned an interception for touchdown in 16-0 win against the Pottsville Maroons in 1927.
31: Chicago Bears DE Doug Atkins (third-leading scorer as Tennessee center with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) had an interception in a 31-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1965. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw six touchdown passes - three of them at least 44 yards - in a 48-10 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943. Five years later, Baugh threw four TD passes - all of them at least 38 yards - in a 59-21 win against the Boston Yanks in 1948. . . . Philadelphia Eagles E Tony Bova (St. Francis PA hoops letterman in 1942) caught two touchdown passes (31 and 26 yards) from Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State letterman as hoops center in 1938 and 1939) in a 34-13 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1943. . . . Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 14-13 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1937. . . . Denver Broncos WR Andre Cooper (collected 29 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists in seven Florida State games as freshman in 1993-94) had a career-high four pass receptions in a 23-20 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1999. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 42-14 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2004. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught eight passes for 125 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 45-35 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2004. . . . Washington Redskins rookie B Howard Hartley (Duke hoops letterman in 1944) rushed for a 26-yard touchdown in a 59-21 win against the Boston Yanks in 1948. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Red Hickey (three-time All-SWC selection and member of Arkansas' 1941 Final Four team) caught three second-half touchdown passes in a 27-22 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1948. . . . Chicago Bears rookie E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had four of his league-high 12 touchdown receptions in a 31-27 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1954. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had an interception and returned three kickoffs a total of 97 yards in 23-20 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1976. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) scored three touchdowns (two rushing/one receiving) in a 35-17 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1948. . . . Cincinnati Bengals WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Carson Palmer in a 22-14 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 2010. . . . Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) kicked three field goals in a 23-19 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1971. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes (49 and 35 yards) in a 35-17 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1948. . . . Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 50.2 yards on five punts in a 23-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1965. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 11 pass receptions for 147 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 31-24 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1993. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught nine passes for 208 yards - including 80-yard touchdown from Jake Plummer - in a 41-28 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2004. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 23-21 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1965.
Impact of former college hoopers on professional football in September