WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Week four of the 2023-24 NFL season has officially concluded. Nine former Boilermakers took the field on Thursday and Sunday, including Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O'Connell making his NFL debut against the Los Angeles Chargers.
O'Connell was selected by the Raiders with the 135th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Purdue quarterback battled throughout training camp and preseason, receiving the highest rookie performance grade of 89.5 according to PPF College by throwing for 482 yards with three passing touchdowns. He recorded a higher quarterback rating than three of the top five picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, including Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, and Anthony Richardson. With Raiders starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo ruled out for week four with a concussion, it was announced that O'Connell would be starting instead of veteran backup quarterback Brian Hoyer.
As the game began in Los Angeles, O'Connell quickly took the reins, completing his first three passing attempts and leading the Raiders offense 64 yards downfield. He capped off the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown, the first touchdown of his NFL career. O'Connell fought hard all game, showing drive and determination through a tough Chargers defensive line which currently leads the NFL in sacks. Despite facing pressure all day, he continued to battle and nearly came back from a 17-point halftime deficit.
The Raiders lost to the Chargers 24-17 with O'Connell completing 24-of-39 passing attempts for 238 yards. His stat line included the second-most passing yards for a Raiders quarterback in his NFL debut. He also rushed the ball three times for three yards and one touchdown.
Other Boilermakers in the NFL
• Raheem Mostert (Miami) – Seven rushing attempts, nine rushing yards, five targets, three receptions, 36 yards, one fumble lost vs. Buffalo
• Derrick Barnes (Detroit) – Six tackles, two solo vs. Green Bay
• Ja'Whaun Bentley (New England) – Five tackles, two solo, one pass defended vs. Dallas
• George Karlaftis (Kansas City) – One solo tackle, one quarterback hit vs. New York Jets
• Markus Bailey (Cincinnati) – One solo tackle, played 71% of special teams snaps vs. Tennessee
• Rondale Moore (Arizona) – Two targets vs. San Francisco
• David Bell (Cleveland) – Played nine total snaps, eight offense and one special teams vs. Baltimore
• Brycen Hopkins (Los Angeles Rams) – One target, one 5-yard reception, played eight offensive snaps vs. Indianapolis
• Payne Durham (Tampa Bay) – Inactive
• Jalen Graham (San Francisco) – Inactive
• Charlie Jones (Cincinnati) – Injured Reserve
• Corey Trice (Pittsburgh) – Injured Reserve
• Zander Horvath (Pittsburgh) – Practice Squad
• David Blough (Detroit) – Practice Squad
O'Connell was selected by the Raiders with the 135th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The former Purdue quarterback battled throughout training camp and preseason, receiving the highest rookie performance grade of 89.5 according to PPF College by throwing for 482 yards with three passing touchdowns. He recorded a higher quarterback rating than three of the top five picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, including Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, and Anthony Richardson. With Raiders starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo ruled out for week four with a concussion, it was announced that O'Connell would be starting instead of veteran backup quarterback Brian Hoyer.
First NFL TD for AOC 🔥🔥
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) October 1, 2023
The first rushing touchdown of the year for the @Raiders! Immediate impact.
pic.twitter.com/7xtBElylO2
As the game began in Los Angeles, O'Connell quickly took the reins, completing his first three passing attempts and leading the Raiders offense 64 yards downfield. He capped off the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown, the first touchdown of his NFL career. O'Connell fought hard all game, showing drive and determination through a tough Chargers defensive line which currently leads the NFL in sacks. Despite facing pressure all day, he continued to battle and nearly came back from a 17-point halftime deficit.
The Raiders lost to the Chargers 24-17 with O'Connell completing 24-of-39 passing attempts for 238 yards. His stat line included the second-most passing yards for a Raiders quarterback in his NFL debut. He also rushed the ball three times for three yards and one touchdown.
Other Boilermakers in the NFL
• Raheem Mostert (Miami) – Seven rushing attempts, nine rushing yards, five targets, three receptions, 36 yards, one fumble lost vs. Buffalo
• Derrick Barnes (Detroit) – Six tackles, two solo vs. Green Bay
• Ja'Whaun Bentley (New England) – Five tackles, two solo, one pass defended vs. Dallas
• George Karlaftis (Kansas City) – One solo tackle, one quarterback hit vs. New York Jets
• Markus Bailey (Cincinnati) – One solo tackle, played 71% of special teams snaps vs. Tennessee
• Rondale Moore (Arizona) – Two targets vs. San Francisco
• David Bell (Cleveland) – Played nine total snaps, eight offense and one special teams vs. Baltimore
• Brycen Hopkins (Los Angeles Rams) – One target, one 5-yard reception, played eight offensive snaps vs. Indianapolis
• Payne Durham (Tampa Bay) – Inactive
• Jalen Graham (San Francisco) – Inactive
• Charlie Jones (Cincinnati) – Injured Reserve
• Corey Trice (Pittsburgh) – Injured Reserve
• Zander Horvath (Pittsburgh) – Practice Squad
• David Blough (Detroit) – Practice Squad