Monday ProCanes Report: Gore Guides SF to Win
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. 49ers Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore got the week started off on the right foot, rushing for a season-high 153 yards and a touchdown in San Francisco’s 35-11 romp over St. Louis Thursday night. Two of Gore’s fellow veteran ProCanes – wide receivers Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne – matched his impressive performance with big outings of their own, while defensive end Allen Bailey had a strong day for the Chiefs in a 31-7 win.
Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) – 20 carries, 153 yards, one touchdown
The 49ers’ ninth-year running back showed no signs of slowing down Thursday night, rushing for 153 yards over 20 carries – including a 34-yard score in the second quarter that proved to be the gamewinner. Gore, whose yardage output marked his best performance since 2009, came just 35 yards short of matching the Rams’ total offense on the night (188). During a week when ProCanes touchdowns were sparse, Gore ended the suspense early and extended the streak to 15 straight weeks, celebrating his team’s victory by throwing up “the U” with the NFL Network crew during a postgame interview.
Video Highlights: 34-Yard TD | 27-Yard Scamper
Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts) – five catches, 100 yards, one touchdown
With his third-quarter touchdown in a 37-3 blowout victory over Jacksonville, Indianapolis 13-year veteran Reggie Wayne continued his ascent into NFL history. Wayne, who recorded his ninth career 100-yard game against the Jaguars in the win, became just the 11th player in league history to register 11,000 receiving yards and 80 touchdown catches. Wayne also extended his personal streak to 68 straight games with at least three receptions – the longest streak since 1960 – and is just 10 shy of reaching 1,000 for his career. He ranks 12th all-time in receiving yards (13,363), ninth in receptions (990) and 22nd in touchdown receptions (80).
Video Highlights: Short Touchdown | 31-Yard Reception
Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) – nine receptions, 110 yards
Though his status was in doubt heading into Sunday’s matchup with Seattle, Houston’s 11th-year wideout showed up in a big way in his team’s 23-20 loss at Reliant Stadium. Johnson recorded his second 100-yard game of the season in a nine-catch, 110-yard performance, upping his team-leading total to 368 receiving yards through four games this season. Despite his matchup against a physical Seahawks secondary, Johnson had 45 yards by the start of the second quarter and led all receivers by game’s end. The Miami, Fla., native ranks first in receptions (34), eighth in yards (368) and fourth in targets (47) among pass-catchers across the league.
Allen Bailey (Kansas City Chiefs) – three tackles, one sack
Kansas City’s third-year defensive linemen delivered one of the biggest hits of the week, driving Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning into the ground for his first sack of the season. The hit, one of three tackles on the day for Bailey, marked his second career NFL sack. The eight-yard loss, which came on third down, reinforced Bailey’s thoughts about the attacking style of new defensive coordinator Bob Sutton. The multi-tackle game was the fourth of Bailey’s career and the first since an October 2012 loss to Baltimore, while three tackles marked a new single-game career high.
Video Highlights: Second Career Sack
TheUFootball.com #ProCanes Interview: Willis McGahee
(interview conducted by Max Strauss)
HurricaneSports.com: Are there any former Hurricanes teammates that you are still close with and speak with regularly? If so, who are they?
Willis McGahee: : “I still speak with Tavares Gooden, Andre Johnson, Ed Reed, Vernon Carey, Bryant McKinnie, Frank Gore, and Terrell Walden – and my current teammates, Rashad Butler and Travis Benjamin.”
HS.com: What is it like teaming up with former Benjamin and Butler, both former Canes?
WM: “In every locker room, I have always had a familiar face from the school. When I was with the Ravens, it was Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. When I went to the Bills, it was Roscoe Parrish. When I was in Denver, it was Orlando Franklin. Now with the Browns, it is Rashad Butler and Travis Benjamin.”
HS.com: Cleveland Browns Head Coach, Rob Chudzinski was your offensive coordinator during your time at the University of Miami. How do you feel about reuniting with him?
WM: “It was a good feeling. He knows what I can do, and he also knows what he to expect out of me. He knows that I am going to try and play whether I’m feeling good or bad.”
HS.com: What does Miami’s reputation as ‘NFLU’ mean to you?
WM: “It shows how the school produces great athletes at any position – from offensive linemen to running backs to linebackers to safeties to corners. We are everywhere, all across the board. It really shows what our school can do.”
