WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – As the 2023-24 NFL regular season barrels towards the end of the year, Week 15 brought forth a spectacular showcase of talent with former Purdue football players making waves on the grand stage. From the seasoned reliability of a veteran running back to the dazzling display put on by a rookie quarterback, Week 15 provided a compelling narrative that underscores the impact of Purdue Football alumni on the professional gridiron.
Viva Las Vegas! The Las Vegas Raiders, led by rookie quarterback and Pro Boilermaker, Aidan O'Connell set a franchise scoring record of 63 points against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. O'Connell lit up the Vegas strip early in the game, throwing for 198 yards and four touchdowns in the first half, the most touchdowns by a player in a half this season. The rookie finished the game completing 20-of-34 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns with a 120.7 passer rating. Just four days after a tough loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Raiders' offense hit the jackpot and was clicking on all cylinders on primetime. O'Connell was named Pro Football Network's Rookie of the Week after this incredible performance as the Raiders look to continue their late playoff push.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming in Miami, Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert continued his legendary season by adding on another multi-touchdown game on Sunday against the New York Jets. Mostert ran the ball 15 times for 42 yards and two touchdowns in the Dolphins' 30-0 victory. Those two rushing touchdowns extended Mostert's league leading total to 18 while breaking the Dolphins single season rushing touchdown and total touchdown records, leaving an indelible mark on the franchise's history. At 31-years old, the Pro Boiler's 20 total touchdowns is tied for the most in the NFL with Christian McCaffery. To put this feat into perspective, Mostert's 20 touchdowns surpass the number of touchdowns scored by New York Giants, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers all season. Through his first nine seasons in the NFL, Mostert scored 19 total touchdowns, and now has 20 in his 10th season. His standout season has been remarkable and the running back doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon, as he looks to make the Pro Bowl.
Other Boilermakers in the NFL
• Charlie Jones (Cincinnati) – Three targets, two receptions, 10 receiving yards, two punt returns for 18 yards vs. Minnesota
• Rondale Moore (Arizona) – Three targets, two receptions, five receiving yards, one three-yard rush vs. San Francisco
• Ja'Whaun Bentley (New England) – Three solo tackles vs. Kansas City
• George Karlaftis (Kansas City) – One solo tackle vs. New England
• Derrick Barnes (Detroit) – Three solo tackles vs. Denver
• Markus Bailey (Cincinnati) – One special teams tackle, played 67% of special teams snaps vs Minnesota
• Payne Durham (Tampa Bay) – Played 13 offensive and six special teams snaps vs. Green Bay
• David Bell (Cleveland) – Played five offensive snaps vs. Chicago
• Jalen Graham (San Francisco) – Played 58% of special teams snaps vs. Arizona
• Brycen Hopkins (Los Angeles Rams) – Played two offensive snaps and five special teams snaps vs. Washington
• David Blough (Detroit) – Practice Squad
• Reese Taylor (Denver) – Practice Squad
• Anthony Brown (New York Jets) – Practice Squad
• Cory Trice (Pittsburgh) – Injured Reserve
Viva Las Vegas! The Las Vegas Raiders, led by rookie quarterback and Pro Boilermaker, Aidan O'Connell set a franchise scoring record of 63 points against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. O'Connell lit up the Vegas strip early in the game, throwing for 198 yards and four touchdowns in the first half, the most touchdowns by a player in a half this season. The rookie finished the game completing 20-of-34 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns with a 120.7 passer rating. Just four days after a tough loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Raiders' offense hit the jackpot and was clicking on all cylinders on primetime. O'Connell was named Pro Football Network's Rookie of the Week after this incredible performance as the Raiders look to continue their late playoff push.
Just an absolute dime 😮
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) December 15, 2023
pic.twitter.com/puzIeWpFSt
The most TDs by any player in a half this season!!
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) December 15, 2023
AOC is on fire 🔥🔥🔥
pic.twitter.com/Znsjy8Mrzk
Aidan O'Connell had a first half, and a night, to remember on TNF. 💥
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 15, 2023
Final numbers for the former Purdue QB:
🚂 20-34
🚂 248 YDS
🚂 4 TD
🚂 0 INT
🚂 120.7 RTG pic.twitter.com/J2B6ldCjVm
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming in Miami, Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert continued his legendary season by adding on another multi-touchdown game on Sunday against the New York Jets. Mostert ran the ball 15 times for 42 yards and two touchdowns in the Dolphins' 30-0 victory. Those two rushing touchdowns extended Mostert's league leading total to 18 while breaking the Dolphins single season rushing touchdown and total touchdown records, leaving an indelible mark on the franchise's history. At 31-years old, the Pro Boiler's 20 total touchdowns is tied for the most in the NFL with Christian McCaffery. To put this feat into perspective, Mostert's 20 touchdowns surpass the number of touchdowns scored by New York Giants, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers all season. Through his first nine seasons in the NFL, Mostert scored 19 total touchdowns, and now has 20 in his 10th season. His standout season has been remarkable and the running back doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon, as he looks to make the Pro Bowl.
West Lafayette ➡️ Pro Bowl
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) December 17, 2023
Retweet to help send the @NFL rushing TD leader to Orlando!#ProBowlVote @RMos_8Ball pic.twitter.com/ROvs3ilhRA
Raheem the Record Holder 😮@RMos_8Ball finds his way in for a new @MiamiDolphins record 1️⃣9️⃣th time this year!
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) December 17, 2023
pic.twitter.com/SSZfgLDGjt
Offensive touchdowns this season
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 17, 2023
Raheem Mostert 20
Steelers 20
Patriots 20
Giants 18
Panthers 16
Jets 13 pic.twitter.com/DT80c6M4n2
had to update the graphic 😅#ProBowlVote x @RMos_8Ball pic.twitter.com/JUhYqmyfP4
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 17, 2023
Other Boilermakers in the NFL
• Charlie Jones (Cincinnati) – Three targets, two receptions, 10 receiving yards, two punt returns for 18 yards vs. Minnesota
• Rondale Moore (Arizona) – Three targets, two receptions, five receiving yards, one three-yard rush vs. San Francisco
• Ja'Whaun Bentley (New England) – Three solo tackles vs. Kansas City
• George Karlaftis (Kansas City) – One solo tackle vs. New England
• Derrick Barnes (Detroit) – Three solo tackles vs. Denver
• Markus Bailey (Cincinnati) – One special teams tackle, played 67% of special teams snaps vs Minnesota
• Payne Durham (Tampa Bay) – Played 13 offensive and six special teams snaps vs. Green Bay
• David Bell (Cleveland) – Played five offensive snaps vs. Chicago
• Jalen Graham (San Francisco) – Played 58% of special teams snaps vs. Arizona
• Brycen Hopkins (Los Angeles Rams) – Played two offensive snaps and five special teams snaps vs. Washington
• David Blough (Detroit) – Practice Squad
• Reese Taylor (Denver) – Practice Squad
• Anthony Brown (New York Jets) – Practice Squad
• Cory Trice (Pittsburgh) – Injured Reserve