Photo by: Tennessee Titans
#FromStateToSundays: Week 7 Update
October 26, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Defense certainly set the tone for former Mississippi State players in Week 7 of NFL action.
Former Bulldog defenders accounted for 27 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, seven quarterback hurries, two pass deflections, one interception, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in last weekend.
Denico Autry did the most damage, posting two tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and four quarterback hurries in the Tennessee Titans' 27-3 win over the defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs. It was the eighth time Autry has made multiple sacks in a game during his eight-year tenure and brought his career sack total to 34.
Autry's first sack came in the third quarter and resulted in a loss of 10 yards on third down. The Chiefs subsequently missed a 57-yard field goal on the following play. His next sack occurred on fourth down in the final quarter.
But Autry was not the only former MSU standout to record a sack on Sunday. Montez Sweat brought down the quarterback for the third time this season and also forced a fumble that Washington was able to recover. It was Sweat's second forced fumble of the season and has now forced multiple fumbles in each of his three years in the NFL.
A couple of other former Bulldogs got their hands on the football as well. For the second week in a row, Johnathan Abram was responsible for a takeaway. Abram recovered a second quarter fumble for the Raiders to go along with six tackles while Kansas City linebacker and Starkville native Willie Gay Jr. recorded his first career interception.
After being signed by the New York Giants last week, linebacker Benardrick McKinney was activated from the practice squad and made his season debut in a 25-3 victory against the Panthers. McKinney made a pair of tackles and produced the No. 6 overall defensive grade (90.6) in the NFL last week according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Several former State players have graded out among the top 20 for the season in several PFF categories. Cameron Dantzler (90, sixth), Preston Smith (88.4, 11th) and Sweat (84.3, 17th) are ranked for their run defense, Gay (83.3) ranks eighth in pass coverage while McKinney now sits sixth in overall defense.
In addition to defense, J.T. Gray now ranks fifth in the NFL with five special teams tackles after making a pair of stops in the New Orleans Saints' 13-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 29 TKL, 23 AST, 52 TT, 2.0 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 INT, 3 PD, 1FR, 2 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 2 AST, 6 TT, 1 PD, 1 FR vs. Philadelphia Eagles (W, 33-22)
Season: 7 G, 5 GS, 10 TKL, 1 AST, 11 TT, 3.5 SK, 5.0 TFL, 11 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 4 QBH vs. Kansas City Chiefs (W, 27-3)
Season: 7 G
Last Week: 1 G, 8 SNP vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
LOGAN COOKE | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – P | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 6 G, 26 Punts, 1228 YDS, 47.2 AVG, LONG 64, 9 In-20
Last Week: BYE
FLETCHER COX | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – DT | AT MSU: 2009-11
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 7 TKL, 4 AST, 11 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 FR, 1 TD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT at Las Vegas Raiders (L, 22-33)
Season: 4 G, 6 TKL, 2 AST, 8 TT, 2 PD
Last Week: BYE
GREG EILAND (PS) | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OT | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. New Orleans Saints (L, 10-13)
WILLIE GAY JR. | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 3 G, 2 GS, 2 TKL, 3 AST, 5 TT, 1 INT, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 AST, 2 TT, 1 INT, 1 PD at Tennessee Titans (L, 3-27)
Season: 6 G, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 5 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 2 ST TKL at Seattle Seahawks (W, 13-10)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at San Francisco 49ers (W, 30-18)
GERRI GREEN (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – LB | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Philadelphia Eagles (W, 33-22)
KYLIN HILL | GREEN BAY PACKERS – RB | AT MSU: 2017-20
Season: 7 G, 10 RUSH, 24 YDS, 2.4 AVG, 2 REC, 5 YDS, 2.5 AVG, 9 KO RET, 186 YDS, 20.7 AVG, 1 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 3 RUSH, 2 YDS, 1 REC, 0 YDS vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
GABE JACKSON | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 11 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressures Allowed vs. New Orleans Saints (L, 10-13)
Season: 4 G, 4 GS, 9 Pressures Allowed, 1 TKL
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressure Allowed, 84.3 Pass Block Grade vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 4 TKL, 3 AST, 7 TT, 2.0 SK, 3.0 TFL, 4 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 AST, 1 TT at Tennessee Titans (L, 3-27)
Season: 1 G, 2 TKL, 2 TT
Last Week: 1 G, 2 TKL, 2 TT vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 25-3)
Season: 7 G, 10 TKL, 3 AST, 13 TT, 1.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH
Last Week: 1 G, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L, 17-41)
OSIRUS MITCHELL (PS) | DALLAS COWBOYS – WR | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: BYE
DAREUAN PARKER (PS) | CHICAGO BEARS – OG | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L, 3-38)
TYRE PHILLIPS | BALTIMORE RAVENS – OT | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 3 G, 1 GS, 3 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 G, 3 Pressures Allowed vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L, 17-41)
Season: 6 G, 6 GS, 158-216, 1813 YDS, 16 TD, 115.0 QBR, 22 RUSH, 70 YDS, LONG 21
Last Week: BYE
WILL REDMOND (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – S | AT MSU: 2012-15
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
CHAUNCEY RIVERS (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 3 G, 2 TKL, 2 TT
Last Week: DNP vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 18 TKL, 5 AST, 23 TT, 2.5 SK, 4.0 TFL, 6 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT vs. Kansas City Chiefs (W, 27-3)
DARIUS SLAY | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – CB | AT MSU: 2011-12
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 21 TKL, 8 AST, 29 TT, 2.0 TFL, 2 INT, 3 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 2 AST, 5 TT at Las Vegas Raiders (L, 22-33)
Season: 6 G, 6 GS, 8 TKL, 5 AST, 13 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 6 QBH
Last Week: DNP vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
MARQUISS SPENCER (PS) | DENVER BRONCOS – DE | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Cleveland Browns (L, 14-17)
MONTEZ SWEAT | WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM – DE | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 11 TKL, 8 AST, 19 TT, 3.0 SK, 3.0 TFL, 10 QBH, 2 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 FF at Green Bay Packers (L, 10-24)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Tennessee Titans (L, 3-27)
K.J. WRIGHT | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – LB | AT MSU: 2007-10
Season: 7 G, 2 GS, 7 TKL, 9 AST, 16 TT, 1.0 TFL
Last Week: 1 G vs. Philadelphia Eagles (W, 33-22)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Indianapolis Colts (L, 18-30)
Former Bulldog defenders accounted for 27 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, seven quarterback hurries, two pass deflections, one interception, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in last weekend.
Denico Autry did the most damage, posting two tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and four quarterback hurries in the Tennessee Titans' 27-3 win over the defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs. It was the eighth time Autry has made multiple sacks in a game during his eight-year tenure and brought his career sack total to 34.
Denico Autry making his presence felt. #KCvsTEN
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 24, 2021
📺: Watch #KCvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ILPpO8H6wD
Autry's first sack came in the third quarter and resulted in a loss of 10 yards on third down. The Chiefs subsequently missed a 57-yard field goal on the following play. His next sack occurred on fourth down in the final quarter.
But Autry was not the only former MSU standout to record a sack on Sunday. Montez Sweat brought down the quarterback for the third time this season and also forced a fumble that Washington was able to recover. It was Sweat's second forced fumble of the season and has now forced multiple fumbles in each of his three years in the NFL.
9️⃣0️⃣ brings him down
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) October 24, 2021
📺 » FOX | #WASvsGB pic.twitter.com/KVf1bNIhD9
A couple of other former Bulldogs got their hands on the football as well. For the second week in a row, Johnathan Abram was responsible for a takeaway. Abram recovered a second quarter fumble for the Raiders to go along with six tackles while Kansas City linebacker and Starkville native Willie Gay Jr. recorded his first career interception.
.@WillieG___ snags the interception‼️
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 24, 2021
📺: #KCvsTEN on CBS pic.twitter.com/Efg76YCKZk
After being signed by the New York Giants last week, linebacker Benardrick McKinney was activated from the practice squad and made his season debut in a 25-3 victory against the Panthers. McKinney made a pair of tackles and produced the No. 6 overall defensive grade (90.6) in the NFL last week according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Several former State players have graded out among the top 20 for the season in several PFF categories. Cameron Dantzler (90, sixth), Preston Smith (88.4, 11th) and Sweat (84.3, 17th) are ranked for their run defense, Gay (83.3) ranks eighth in pass coverage while McKinney now sits sixth in overall defense.
In addition to defense, J.T. Gray now ranks fifth in the NFL with five special teams tackles after making a pair of stops in the New Orleans Saints' 13-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.
#HailState!!! pic.twitter.com/AHmIwVGvQL
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) October 25, 2021
JOHNATHAN ABRAM | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 29 TKL, 23 AST, 52 TT, 2.0 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 INT, 3 PD, 1FR, 2 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 2 AST, 6 TT, 1 PD, 1 FR vs. Philadelphia Eagles (W, 33-22)
- Recovered a fumble in the second quarter that led to a field goal for Las Vegas
- Second straight week with a takeaway
- Recorded three "stops" per PFF, which are tackles that constitute a failure for the offense
Season: 7 G, 5 GS, 10 TKL, 1 AST, 11 TT, 3.5 SK, 5.0 TFL, 11 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 4 QBH vs. Kansas City Chiefs (W, 27-3)
- Logged his eighth career multi-sack game and produced half of the Titans' season-high four sacks
- Recorded a 10-yard sack on third down in the third quarter, and on the next play the Chiefs missed a 57-yard field goal
- Added an eight-yard sack to end a Chiefs drive on fourth down in the fourth quarter.
- Led the Titans in pass rush grade per PFF
Season: 7 G
Last Week: 1 G, 8 SNP vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
LOGAN COOKE | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – P | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 6 G, 26 Punts, 1228 YDS, 47.2 AVG, LONG 64, 9 In-20
Last Week: BYE
FLETCHER COX | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – DT | AT MSU: 2009-11
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 7 TKL, 4 AST, 11 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 FR, 1 TD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT at Las Vegas Raiders (L, 22-33)
- Both tackles were within one yard of the line of scrimmage
- Posted a game-high overall defensive grade of 82.5 per PFF, which led all NFL interior defensive linemen
- Ranks second among Philadelphia defensive tackles with 147 career regular-season games, trailing only Ken Clarke (148)
Season: 4 G, 6 TKL, 2 AST, 8 TT, 2 PD
Last Week: BYE
GREG EILAND (PS) | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OT | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. New Orleans Saints (L, 10-13)
WILLIE GAY JR. | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 3 G, 2 GS, 2 TKL, 3 AST, 5 TT, 1 INT, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 AST, 2 TT, 1 INT, 1 PD at Tennessee Titans (L, 3-27)
- Recorded his first career interception on a 3rd-and-2 in the third quarter
- Recorded a season-high 82.9 coverage grade, which ranked 15th in the NFL in Week 7
- Season coverage grade of 84.9 ranks eighth in the NFL
Season: 6 G, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 5 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 2 ST TKL at Seattle Seahawks (W, 13-10)
- Made two tackles on punt coverage
- Posted an 88.9 special teams grade per PFF, which ranked eighth in the NFL in Week 7
- Grade was his highest since a 90.3 mark in Week 7 of 2019
- Tied for fifth in the NFL with five special teams tackles
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at San Francisco 49ers (W, 30-18)
GERRI GREEN (PS) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – LB | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Philadelphia Eagles (W, 33-22)
KYLIN HILL | GREEN BAY PACKERS – RB | AT MSU: 2017-20
Season: 7 G, 10 RUSH, 24 YDS, 2.4 AVG, 2 REC, 5 YDS, 2.5 AVG, 9 KO RET, 186 YDS, 20.7 AVG, 1 ST TKL
Last Week: 1 G, 3 RUSH, 2 YDS, 1 REC, 0 YDS vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
GABE JACKSON | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 11 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressures Allowed vs. New Orleans Saints (L, 10-13)
- Played every snap on offense and four on special teams, allowing one hurry
Season: 4 G, 4 GS, 9 Pressures Allowed, 1 TKL
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 Pressure Allowed, 84.3 Pass Block Grade vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
- Posted the No. 13 pass blocking grade in the NFL in Week 7
- Recorded the No. 10 overall offensive grade among NFL linemen in Week 7
Season: 5 G, 5 GS, 4 TKL, 3 AST, 7 TT, 2.0 SK, 3.0 TFL, 4 QBH
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 AST, 1 TT at Tennessee Titans (L, 3-27)
- Recorded Kansas City's highest overall defensive grade in Week 7
Season: 1 G, 2 TKL, 2 TT
Last Week: 1 G, 2 TKL, 2 TT vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 25-3)
- Activated and made his season debut with the Giants
- Produced the No. 6 overall defensive grade (90.6) in the NFL in Week 7
Season: 7 G, 10 TKL, 3 AST, 13 TT, 1.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 2 QBH
Last Week: 1 G, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L, 17-41)
OSIRUS MITCHELL (PS) | DALLAS COWBOYS – WR | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: BYE
DAREUAN PARKER (PS) | CHICAGO BEARS – OG | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L, 3-38)
TYRE PHILLIPS | BALTIMORE RAVENS – OT | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 3 G, 1 GS, 3 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 G, 3 Pressures Allowed vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L, 17-41)
- Played 53 snaps
Season: 6 G, 6 GS, 158-216, 1813 YDS, 16 TD, 115.0 QBR, 22 RUSH, 70 YDS, LONG 21
Last Week: BYE
WILL REDMOND (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – S | AT MSU: 2012-15
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
CHAUNCEY RIVERS (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – LB | AT MSU: 2017-19
Season: 3 G, 2 TKL, 2 TT
Last Week: DNP vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | TENNESSEE TITANS – DL | AT MSU: 2016-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 18 TKL, 5 AST, 23 TT, 2.5 SK, 4.0 TFL, 6 QBH, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT vs. Kansas City Chiefs (W, 27-3)
DARIUS SLAY | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – CB | AT MSU: 2011-12
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 21 TKL, 8 AST, 29 TT, 2.0 TFL, 2 INT, 3 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 2 AST, 5 TT at Las Vegas Raiders (L, 22-33)
- Played every defensive snap
- Split a tackle for a loss of 1-yard in the first quarter
Season: 6 G, 6 GS, 8 TKL, 5 AST, 13 TT, 2.0 SK, 2.0 TFL, 6 QBH
Last Week: DNP vs. Washington Football Team (W, 24-10)
MARQUISS SPENCER (PS) | DENVER BRONCOS – DE | AT MSU: 2016-20
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Cleveland Browns (L, 14-17)
MONTEZ SWEAT | WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM – DE | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 11 TKL, 8 AST, 19 TT, 3.0 SK, 3.0 TFL, 10 QBH, 2 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT, 1.0 SK, 1.0 TFL, 3 QBH, 1 FF at Green Bay Packers (L, 10-24)
- Recorded a sack on 2nd-and-1 for a loss of 10 yards
- Forced a fumble recovered by Washington that led to a field goal
- Posted the No. 11 run defense grade (81.2) in the NFL in Week 7
- Led Washington in run defense grade and ranked second in overall defensive grade
- Has forced multiple fumbles in every season of his career
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Tennessee Titans (L, 3-27)
K.J. WRIGHT | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – LB | AT MSU: 2007-10
Season: 7 G, 2 GS, 7 TKL, 9 AST, 16 TT, 1.0 TFL
Last Week: 1 G vs. Philadelphia Eagles (W, 33-22)
- Played six snaps and posted the Raiders' second-highest defensive grade in Week 7
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Indianapolis Colts (L, 18-30)
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