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It’s been a while since we’ve seen Hercules Mata’afa on a football field, and NFL quarterbacks probably preferred it that way.
While the Cougs continue to prep for the season opener, the Cougs in the NFL hit the field for the first time with the opening week of NFL preseason. That included Mata’afa who is healthy and doing this like this:
3-technique race is very interesting. Hercules Mata'afa gets this sack with excellent hand usage and power. After that, draws an offensive holding penalty, then gets the tackle in the run game pic.twitter.com/sGs6QygKrP
— Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) August 10, 2019
He was hardly the only Coug making an impact at the next level. Here are some other highlights from the Cougs in the NFL:
Bucs' 1st sack under Todd Bowles goes to LB Deone Bucannon after Josh Dobbs was flushed by Will Gholston and a blitzing Devin White.
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) August 9, 2019
Andre Dillard putting on a clinic pic.twitter.com/N2IwY6Z5Lv
— Gayle Saunders (@EagleSessions) August 9, 2019
QB Luke Falk leads Jets on 15-play drive — longest of game for either team — and finally punches it in w/ 2-yd TD toss to Greg Dortch. Unfortunately there's only 14 seconds left. Chandler Catanzaro kicks XP, Jets trail 31-22.
— Randy Lange (@rlangejets) August 9, 2019
We see you, @frankluvu7‼️#NYJvsNYG | #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/3tyApOUdg2
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 9, 2019
Nothing like shooting two @WSUCougarFB legends @rivercracraft and @684_Luani05 who play in the #NFL now. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/iSsiKd5aCN
— Brandon Farris (@brandonsblog) August 9, 2019
Update on former #WSU players in @NFL preseason: Andre Dillard started for Eagles tonight, Gardner Minshew (7/14, 46 yds.) gets the start for Jacksonville, Cole Madison makes debut for Green Bay but draws two holding calls, Joe Dahl gets work with the second unit in Detroit... pic.twitter.com/zibafT605s
— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) August 9, 2019
... Luke Falk (9/11, 69 yds., TD) makes Jets debut, Frankie Luvu notches 6 tkl. for NY & Jalen Thompson has two tackles in Arizona debut. Vince Mayle made 1 catch for Chargers. River Cracraft returned a kick & 2 punts for Denver. Shalom Luani had 1 tkl. for Seattle. pic.twitter.com/fyoQlXAn8L
— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) August 9, 2019
Go Cougs.
*****
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