Sept. 11, 2012
VUCommodores.com provides you with the first of 17 weekly updates on former Vanderbilt players currently playing on Sundays in the National Football League. As has been the case the past couple seasons, most of the action was at Dudley Field North, better known as Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Chicago 41, Indianapolis 21 – NFL.com Recap
Quarterback Jay Cutler started out a little shaky, throwing an interception that was returned by the Colts’ Jerrell Freeman for the first score of the game early in the first quarter, but after that, it was all Bears.
Cutler rebounded to complete 21 of 35 passes for 333 yards, including two touchdowns, helping the Bears take a 34-14 lead before the teams traded late touchdowns to provide the final margin of 41-21.
Three of Cutler’s completions had a Commodore on the other end, with Earl Bennett making three catches for 25 yards, including two receptions that went for a first down.
Chris Williams didn’t make the start on the Bear’s offensive line, but did see action at tackle in the game.
On the other side of the ball for the Bears, D.J. Moore earned some playing time at corner, notching a pair of tackles.
The quartet of Commodores hoped to have a friendly face playing for the Colts, however linebacker Tim Fugger, who was a seventh round pick by Indianapolis this spring, was placed on injured reserve on September 3.
San Francisco 30, Green Bay 22 – NFL.com Recap
Casey Hayward, a second round pick of the Packers in 2012, made his NFL debut in this showdown of NFC contenders. Hayward did not see action on the defensive side of the football, but was in the game for several special teams plays in the 49ers win.
Fellow rookie Sean Richardson was not active for the Packers during week one.
Another pair of Commodores will hope to see action at some point during the 2012 NFL season.
Tight end Brandon Barden remains in Nashville. After being cut by Tennessee in August, Barden was re-signed to the Titans practice squad on September 1.
Defensive back Myron Lewis was inactive for Tampa Bay in the Buccaneers’ 16-10 win over Carolina.
Coming Up In Week Two
If Sean Richardson finds himself active for week two, he will join five other Commodores for Thursday Night Football, as Chicago will face the Packers in Green Bay. There could be as many as six Vanderbilt players in the NFC North rivalry.
Lewis will hope to see action with the Buccaneers as they face the Giants on Sunday in the Meadowlands, while Barden’s Titans visit San Diego.