Monday @ProCanes Recap: Graham & Hester Setting Records
Oct. 17, 2011
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CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Monday Morning ProCanes report will weed through all the NFL highlights and news to bring you the information you care about the most… what the former University of Miami Hurricanes did during the week prior. Though it was running back Frank Gore who officially extended the Hurricanes regular season streak to 145 consecutive weeks with a touchdown, the former Canes did the most damage through the air in Sunday’s week six action. With eight different players combining for 458 receiving yards, and one defensive Pro Bowler solidifying his place in NFL history, the Hurricanes enjoyed another successful week on the 2011 season:
Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints): 7 receptions, 124 yards
Despite his team’s disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tight end Jimmy Graham continued his rapid ascent towards NFL stardom with another dominating performance for New Orleans. Graham, by hauling in seven receptions for 124 yards, became only the second tight end in NFL history with four consecutive 100-yard games (Tony Gonzalez, 2000). The 6-6, 260-pound sophomore now ranks third in receiving yards (620) and ninth in receptions (32) on the season. Graham, whose receiving yardage outpaces the next highest tight end by over 200 yards, is one of only four pass-catchers in 2011 averaging over 100 yards per game.
Video highlights: 43-yard catch
Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers): 15 carries, 141 yards, 1 touchdown
In perhaps the most anticipated of the week six matchups, the San Francisco 49ers pulled out an impressive 25-19 victory over the undefeated Detroit Lions thanks in large part to their star running back. Frank Gore, who had posted 100-yard performances in his previous two games, exploded for a season-high 141 yards and a second-quarter touchdown run against a talented Lions defense. The two-time Pro Bowler, who ripped off runs of 55 and 47 yards, now finds himself fifth in NFL rushing yards (541) and fourth in average yards per rush (5.0) among runners with at least 100 attempts.
Video highlights: 55-yard run | Touchdown run | 47-yard dash
Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens): 12 tackles, 1 sack
The heart of the Baltimore Ravens franchise since its inception, Ray Lewis added another page to his storied career with his first-quarter sack of Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub on Sunday. The 36-year-old Lewis, demonstrating his patented ferocity on the pass rush, became the only player in NFL history to record at least 40 career sacks and 30 interceptions. The 12-time Pro Bowler’s team-high 12 tackles paced a Baltimore defense that held Houston, without Andre Johnson for the second consecutive week, to only 93 rushing yards in a 29-14 win.
Video highlights:40th career sack
Devin Hester (Chicago Bears): 91 receiving yards, 133 return yards, 2 touchdowns
“The Windy City Flyer,” with over 200 total yards on Sunday, was his typically extraordinary self in a blowout win over Minnesota under the lights at Soldier Field. Hester, who recorded his first receiving touchdown of the year on a 48-yard catch in the first quarter, singlehandedly ended Minnesota’s comeback chances early in the second half. After a Vikings touchdown cut the lead to 26-10, Hester took the ensuing kickoff for 98 yards and a touchdown, extending his all-time NFL record to 17 return touchdowns. The Bears, with two touchdowns from its most talented weapon, improved to 3-3 on the season with a 39-10 victory over the Vikings.
Video highlights:17th career return touchdown | 48-yard TD grab
After explosive performances across the league on Sunday, there is one more Pro Cane taking the field before the official conclusion of week six. Vernon Carey and the Miami Dolphins will travel to the Meadowlands for a divisional battle with the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. Kickoff for the game is set for 8:30pm on ESPN.
Heading into the NFL opening week, UM led all colleges with 42 alums on active NFL Rosters.
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