Eagles running back, former Pitt player McCoy shines in loss

Although their respective teams couldn’t say the same, a number of former Pitt players in the NFL registered solid performances in the league’s second week of action. 

Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (Pitt 2007-2008) dominated yet again Sunday afternoon, as he tallied a career-high 114 receiving yards on five receptions in a 33-30 last-second loss to San Diego. With the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, McCoy has become an integral component of Chip Kelly’s new high-speed offense in Philadelphia. 

McCoy also took 11 carries for 53 yards. 

McCoy, through two weeks of the season, leads the league with 237 rushing yards and 14 first downs. He will look to add to his leading totals against his former coach, Andy Reid, when the Eagles host Kansas City on Thursday night.

Tampa Bay cornerback Darrelle Revis (Pitt 2004-2006) had four solo tackles and a pass defended in a 16-14 loss to New Orleans. Revis was able to hold Saints receiver Marques Colston to 63 yards, but the rest of the Tampa Bay defense could not find an answer for tight end Jimmy Graham, who chalked up 179 receiving yards and the only New Orleans touchdown.

Cleveland defensive end Jabaal Sheard (Pitt 2007-2010) recorded eight tackles, half of a sack and a pass defended against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. The Browns fell 14-6 as the Cleveland offense struggled to move down the field. 

Giants fullback Henry Hynoski (Pitt 2007-010) provided a strong lead block that allowed running back Brandon Jacobs to push his way across the goal line. The Giants came up short in a 41-23 loss to the Broncos.

San Francisco punter Andy Lee (Pitt 2000-2004) saw a lot of action in a 29-3 blowout loss to the Seahawks. Lee averaged 49 yards over four punts but was unable to pin Seattle inside its own 20-yard line a single time.

Though many former Panthers put in solid performances this weekend, one in particular struggled to live up to expectations.

Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (Pitt 2002-2003), who caught two touchdowns last week for the Cardinals, managed to haul in only two passes for 33 yards. His Cardinals still beat the Lions, 25-21.

Fitzgerald, who was listed as questionable on the injury report, was unable to finish the contest due to a hamstring injury that has been bothering him all week. He is optimistic that he will play in week three against the Saints, but he will be very limited in practice this week.

Editor’s Note: The headline for this article previously stated that LeSean McCoy was a Pitt graduate. This was inaccurate. McCoy entered the NFL draft after his sophomore year.