Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Cowboys in the NFL - Week 15
December 19, 2005 | Cowboy Football
Vernand Morency highlighted the list of former Oklahoma State Cowboys playing in the NFL during Week 15 action as the rookie tailback came off the bench to help Houston to its second win of the season, a 30-19 triumph over Arizona.
Morency rushed for 39 yards on five carries, including scoring the first touchdown of his NFL career on a 25-yard run in the second quarter. He also had one catch for nine yards.
In nine games, Morency has 89 rushing yards on 21 carries and has five catches for 27 yards. He has also been used as a kickoff returner and is averaging 21.9 yards on 20 kick returns.
Billy Bajema, TE - San Francisco Bajema played but did not record any stats in the 49ers' loss to Jacksonville. The rookie has started five games at tight end and has five catches for 54 yards.
Tatum Bell, RB- Denver After leading the Broncos in rushing the previous two games, Bell again came off the bench and rushed for 49 yards on 12 carries in a 28-17 win over Buffalo. He also had one catch for nine yards. In his second NFL season, Bell is Denver's second-leading rusher with 798 yards on 139 carries to go along with five rushing touchdowns. Among players with 30 or more rushing attempts, Bell leads the NFL with an average of 5.7 yards per carry. He also has 16 catches for 92 yards for the AFC West-leading Broncos (11-3).
Keith Burns, LB - Denver Burns, a 12-year NFL veteran and special teams standout, recorded a tackle and also had a fumble recovery during special teams play against the Bills. Denver's special teams captain has a team-high 15 special teams tackles on the season and has also recorded a tackle playing linebacker. Burns has racked up over 200 special teams stops in his career.
R.W. McQuarters, CB - Detroit McQuarters recorded eight tackles from his cornerback spot in the Lions' 41-17 loss to Cincinnati. McQuarters also racked up 94 yards on five kickoff returns, which included a long of 27 yards. In his eighth NFL season, McQuarters has 52 tackles (fourth on the team) and is tied for second on the Lions with a pair of interceptions. He is averaging 23.8 yards on 16 kickoff returns and 11.7 yards on 10 punt returns.
Greg Richmond, LB - Philadelphia After spending last season on the Eagles' practice squad, Richmond is on the team's physically unable to perform list after having surgery in August to repair a herniated disc in his lower back.
Marcellus Rivers, TE - Houston A fifth-year pro, Rivers set a season-high for the second consecutive week with four catches for 20 yards in the win against Arizona. He also had a pair of tackles on special teams. After spending his first four NFL seasons with the New York Giants, Rivers has started three games for the Texans this season and has 15 catches for 106 yards.
Antonio Smith, DE - Arizona A defensive end for the Cardinals, Smith had three tackles and two sacks — the first two of his NFL career — in a loss to Houston. Smith has started six-straight games and has 13 tackles in 11 games this season. A fifth-round pick in 2004, Smith spent the first 13 games of his rookie season on the practice squad before playing in two of Arizona's final three games and then playing in NFL Europe for Hamburg.
Juqua Thomas, DE - Philadelphia A fifth-year pro in his first season with the Eagles, Thomas had one tackle in Philly's 17-16 win over St. Louis. Thomas has nine tackles and a fumble recovery in 10 games with the Eagles this season.
Darrent Williams, CB - Denver Williams suffered a groin injury in Week 14 against Baltimore and will be inactive for the rest of the regular season. The Broncos are hopeful that Williams can return early in the playoffs. The rookie cornerback has started nine games for Denver, racking up 59 tackles, two interceptions — one that he returned 80 yards for a touchdown — 12 pass breakups, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. As a kick returner, Williams is averaging 23.9 yards on 18 kickoff returns and 8.7 yards on 17 punt returns.
Jamal Williams, DT - San Diego Williams, a starter on the defensive line, had one tackle in the Chargers' 26-17 win over previously unbeaten Indianapolis. In his eighth NFL season, Williams has 39 tackles and a fumble recovery. San Diego is 9-5 and in second place in the AFC West standings.
Kevin Williams, DT - Minnesota Williams returned to action after missing two games with a second-degree sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. In an 18-3 loss to Pittsburgh, Williams was second on the Vikings with six tackles — all solo stops. He also had a sack. The third-year pro and 2004 Pro Bowler has 32 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery in 2005.
Rashaun Woods, WR - San Francisco Woods is on the 49ers' injured reserve list and will not play in his second NFL season.
Kenyatta Wright, LB - New York Jets Wright, who is listed as the third-string middle linebacker on the Jets' depth chart, recorded one special teams tackle in a loss to the Dolphins. In his fifth NFL season, Wright has seven tackles. He has 60 special teams tackles in his three seasons with the Jets, which ranks in the top five of the club's all-time list.
