The Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers were well represented and played prominent roles on the field during the Los Angeles Rams–Kansas City game Monday night.
Former Oregon State Beavers Brandin Cooks, Johnny Hekker and Steven Nelson had solid performances in the game. Former Oregon Duck Troy Hill was also on the field.
Here’s a look at each players’ performance.
* Cooks, a wide receiver for the Rams, caught eight passes (12 targets) for 107 yards in the game. Cooks had a 30-yard reception in the first quarter. Watch
Goff to Cooks! [?]
The #LARams are on the move early.
[?] : #KCvsLAR on ESPN pic.twitter.com/MQO3mTj9kW
— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2018
Cooks also drew a 37-pass interference on Nelson in the first quarter. Cooks, who has caught 59 passes for 964 yards and three touchdowns in 2018, is on pace to set a career-high in receiving yards.
* Hekker, the Rams punter, made his mark with a much-needed 68-yard punt that drove dangerous Kansas City returner Tyreek Hill into his own end zone. Hill opted to try a return instead of touchback. Bad decision. Hill managed to reach the Kansas City 12-yard line. The Rams had a 54-51 lead with 1:04 remaining and needed a big punt from Hekker to force Kansas City into having to use precious time to drive into position for a potential game-tying field goal.
Hekker knew he came through in the clutch. Watch
Johnny Hekker has the best job on earth and he knows it pic.twitter.com/J8e7WR1wUw
— Sully Engels (@SullyKSNT) November 20, 2018
On the Kansas City side, Nelson had his ups and downs trying to contain the Rams receivers during the game.
Nelson was burned by Cooks for that 30-yard gain in the first quarter. Nelson called for illegal use of hands while covering Cooks that gave the Rams a first down and Cooks burned him again on a third-and-6 play for a first down to the Kansas City 8 in the first quarter.
Nelson got a measure of revenge when he was able prevent what would have been a long reception of at least 50 yards by Cooks by knocking the ball out of Cooks’ grasp near the goal line. Watch
Brandin Cooks owners on Salt Bae right now!! pic.twitter.com/PbLf4mNmnr
— Tank Williams (@TankWilliams13) November 20, 2018
Nelson finished the game with six combined tackles – five solo – and one pass defended.
* Hill, a cornerback for the Rams, finished the game with four combined tackles, with two solo tackles.
Rams linebacker and former Oregon high school star Samson Ebukam has a career game.
— Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold