With the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs in the books, here are a few former Gators who made the most tangible impact for their respective teams this weekend.
Riley Cooper, wide receiver:
Although the Philadelphia Eagles fell at home to the New Orleans Saints 26-24 on Saturday, Riley Cooper still managed to make big plays.
The fourth-year wide receiver led both teams with six catches and 68 receiving yards. Cooper also notched a 10-yard touchdown catch on a pass from quarterback Nick Foles to give the Eagles a 7-3 lead with 1:48 left in the first half.
Cooper also had a 22-yard reception to start Philadelphia’s six-play, 44-yard scoring drive.
Cooper, who was moved up to the starting lineup after Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin suffered a torn right ACL before the season began, finished the regular season with career highs in receptions (47), yards (835) and touchdowns (eight).
Ray McDonald, defensive lineman:
The San Francisco 49ers were the only winning team that saw considerable action from a former Gator this weekend.
Defensive tackle Ray McDonald, a third-round pick in the 2007 draft, notched four tackles and split a sack of Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers with linebacker Aldon Smith in the first quarter en route to his team’s 23-20 win over the Packers on Sunday.
The seventh-year veteran has recorded 37 tackles and 3.5 sacks this season.
Spikes placed on IR:
The New England Patriots will be without their starting middle linebacker when they face the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.
The Patriots announced Monday that they placed Brandon Spikes on injured reserve with a knee injury — one that bothered him for much of the season.
Spikes finished the regular season with 86 tackles in his fourth year with the Patriots.
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Riley Cooper celebrates after catching a 63-yard touchdown pass during the Philadelphia Eagles’ 49-20 victory against the Oakland Raiders on Nov. 3.
