Oct. 11, 2012
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By Joey Nelson
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - As players and coaches get ready for week six in the National Football League, eight former Knights have been key contributors through the first five games of the season.
Wideout Brandon Marshall (Chicago), OL Josh Sitton (Green Bay) and FB Bruce Miller (San Francisco) highlight the offensive side of the ball. Sitton continues to start at right guard, protecting last season's MVP Aaron Rodgers while the 49ers bolster the NFL's top rushing attack with former defensive lineman Miller setting up key blocks.
Quarterback Jay Cutler and Marshall have been reunited from their playing days in Denver and have started right where they left off. Marshall has caught 35 balls for 496 yards, with eight catches extending for 20 yards or more. The seventh year vet has posted back-to-back 100-yard receiving games against Dallas (138) and Jacksonville (144) the past two weeks and has also notched three touchdown catches.
Strong safety Atari Bigby has returned to a starting role with the San Diego defense while CB Asante Samuel and the Atlanta Falcons continue their undefeated run and a division lead in the NFC South. Rookie CB Josh Robinson has cracked the starting lineup the past two games and recorded his first-career interception with a game-sealing pick against the San Francisco 49ers in week three.
Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater is 7-for-7 on field-goal tries with a season-long of 53. He was also named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Oakland Raiders in Week 4, kicking 3-for-3 on field goal attempts with eight touchbacks on all kickoffs.
Defensive back Joe Burnett, of the Edmonton Eskimos, leads the Canadian Football League with five interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns with one going for 108 yards. The former Knights standout also scooped up a loose fumble and took it to the house for a 44-yard score. Burnett ranks sixth in the league with 1,001 combined yards on kickoff and punt returns.
For the complete update on former Knights in the NFL and CFL, check out the below list.
UCF Knights in the NFL - Regular Season/Most Recent Game
Offense
WR Kamar Aiken - Chicago Bears - Practice Squad
WR Brandon Marshall - Chicago Bears - 5 GP, 5 GS, 35 REC, 496 YDS, 3 TD / 12 REC, 144 YDS, 1TD (vs. JAGUARS)
FB Bruce Miller - San Francisco 49ers - 5 GP, 3 GS, 2 ATT, 14 YDS, 2 REC, 24 YDS / 1 ATT, 9 YDS (vs. BILLS)
WR Jamar Newsome - Kansas City Chiefs - Practice Squad
OG Nick Pieschel - Chicago Bears - Injured Reserve
OT Jah Reid - Baltimore Ravens - No Stats
OG Josh Sitton - Green Bay Packers - 5 GP, 5 GS
RB Kevin Smith - Detroit Lions - 3 GP, 2 GS, 29 ATT, 115 YDS, 1 TD, 6 REC, 46 YDS, 1 TD
*TE Adam Nissley - Atlanta Falcons - Injured Reserve
Defense
SS Atari Bigby - San Diego Chargers - 5 GP, 5 GS, 34 Tackles, 1 Pass Defended / 2 Tackles (vs. SAINTS)
DE Leger Douzable - Tennessee Titans - Injured Reserve
CB Josh Robinson - Minnesota Vikings - 5 GP, 2 GS, 23 Tackles, 2 Passes Defended, 1st career Interception vs. San Francisco 49ers Week 3 for 24 YDS / 6 Tackles (vs. VIKINGS)
CB Asante Samuel - Atlanta Falcons - 5 GP, 5 GS, 19 Tackles, 1 Pass Defense / 1 Tackles (vs. REDSKINS)
DT Torell Troup - Buffalo Bills - Injured Reserve
Special Teams
PK Matt Prater - Denver Broncos - 7-for-7 FG, 53 LG, 14-for-14 XP / 3-for-3 XP (vs. PATRIOTS)
UCF Knights in the CFL - Regular Season
"Offence"
OG Cedric Gagne-Marcoux - Toronto Argonauts
"Defence"
CB/KR Joe Burnett - Edmonton Eskimos - 13 GP, 13 GS, 39 Tackles, 1 TFL, 3 Special Team Tackles, Team-leading 5 Passes Defended, Team-Leading 5 INT-167 YDS-2 TD, 1 FR-44 YDS-1 TD, 28 KR-573 YDS, 34 PR-346 YDS, 3 Missed FG returns for 346 YDS, Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 4
DT Keith Shologan - Saskatchewan Roughriders - 12 GP, 15 Tackles, 2 Sacks