CASPER, Wyo. — The University of Wyoming has produced several NFL players currently making an impact. Here’s how they did in the most recent week’s slate of games.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
The Bills’ star quarterback was sensational in his Thursday Night Football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, helping his team come away with a 24–18 win.
Allen finished with a season-high in yardage, throwing for 324 yards, and he did so on terrific efficiency, completing 31 of 40 passes. He threw two touchdowns. However, he also had an interception. And while Allen ranks among the NFL’s best in passing yards and touchdowns, he’s also thrown the second-most interceptions in the league.
Allen leads the NFL in completion percentage, at 71.4%; he’s fifth in the league in passing yards; and he’s third in the league in passing TDs.
Marcus Epps, Las Vegas Raiders
Epps, a safety for the Raiders, had his best game of the entire season on Monday. Unfortunately, it came in a losing effort, as his team fell 26–14 to the Detroit Lions.
Epps racked up nine tackles in the game, a season-high for him in the 2023–24 campaign. The performance should impress the Las Vegas coaching staff, as the secondary was identified as a point of emphasis headed into the game.
On the season, Epps has 36 tackles.
Tashaun Gipson Sr., San Francisco 49ers
Gipson, like Epps, had his season-high in tackles in a losing effort, as San Francisco fell to the Bengals 31–17.
Gipson recorded eight tackles — one of which was for a loss — and a stuff in the losing effort. On the season, the 49ers veteran safety has 30 tackles and an interception.
Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints
Granderson continued his strong play of late, turning in another solid outing in the Saints’ 38–27 win over the Colts.
Granderson finished with six tackles and a sack. He was one of just two members of the New Orleans defensive unit to sack Colts QB Gardner Minshew, and now has 5.5 sacks in the first eight weeks of the season.
After the game, Granderson told reporters that he’s made an effort this season to open games faster and with increased physicality.
On the season, he has 35 total tackles to go with his nearly six sacks.
Tyler Hall, Las Vegas Raiders
Hall was listed as inactive prior to his team’s game against the Lions, and did not take the field.
Hall has only appeared in two games this season, though he made the most of his second appearance in the Raiders’ Week 6 game. He currently has 10 tackles for the 2023–24 season.
Chad Muma, Jacksonville Jaguars
The former UW standout and current Jacksonville linebacker took the field for a handful of special teams snaps on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he did not record a stat in that limited playing time.
Muma has recorded 13 tackles thus far this season.
Mike Purcell, Denver Broncos
Purcell recorded a single tackle in his team’s 24–9 win over the Chiefs on Sunday.
After seeing more playing time in Week 7 than he had in any game thus far in the 2023–24 season, Purcell’s playing time plummeted in Week 8, only taking the field for 10 defensive snaps and four special teams downs.
On the season, Purcell has 10 tackles.
Logan Wilson, Cincinnati Bengals
The Casper native and current Bengals star turned in another gem on Sunday, playing a key role in his team’s 31–17 win over San Francisco.
Wilson recorded 11 tackles in the game, marking the third time this year that he’s reached double-digit tackles in a game. He also nabbed an interception, which he proceeded to return 16 yards.
Wilson’s interception proved pivotal for his team, as Bengals QB Joe Burrow used the excellent field position afforded by Wilson’s interception to throw a touchdown on the very first play of the ensuing drive.
Through seven games, Wilson has recorded 57 tackles and snatched a trio of interceptions.
Andrew Wingard, Jacksonville Jaguars
Wingard, like Epps, had his best game of the season thus far on Sunday against the Steelers.
In addition to a season-best six tackles, the Jacksonville safety came away with his first interception of the year.
Wingard, who typically comes off the bench for Jacksonville, made the most of a starting stint, as he was moved up on the depth chart following an injury to Andre Cisco.
“Isn’t this fun? Is this not fun? This is awesome,” an elated Wingard said after the game.
Wingard now has 16 tackles on the season.
