Gators in the NFL: Week 9

Last Updated: November 4, 2025By


GAINESVILLE, Fla. – From defensive standouts in Chicago to booming punts and a thrilling return touchdown, Week 9 of the NFL season had a little bit of everything. 
 
Each week of the 2025-26 season, FloridaGators.com will cover all of the best moments from the NFL stars who made a name for themselves in Gainesville.
 
Offense
O’Cyrus Torrence – OG – Buffalo Bills

Torrence showed out in a revenge game against the Chiefs! The Bills offensive guard logged 66 snaps (35 run/31 pass) and paved the way for a Ty Johnson touchdown in the second quarter with a pancake block on Kansas City star linebacker Nick Bolton.

Torrence finished the game unpenalized and didn’t allow a single sack, pressure or hurry throughout regulation, receiving an 86.3 pass-blocking grade on PFF. 

 

Kyle Pitts – TE – Atlanta Falcons
Steady as ever. The Falcons’ reliable tight end hauled in four catches for 38 yards, including a 22-yard grab to open their drive against a Patriots’ cover two defense. The long reception set Atlanta up deep in New England territory, guiding them to their first touchdown of the game.
 

Defense
C.J. Gardner-Johnson – S – Chicago Bears
New team, same energy. In his Bears debut, safety Gardner-Johnson made an immediate impact, recording a key third-down sack that forced a Bengals punt.
 

Gervon Dexter Sr. – DL – Chicago Bears
Big-time play to open up the fourth quarter!  Dexter Sr. pounced on a Joe Flacco fumble forced by teammate Austin Booker, setting the Bears up at the Cincinnati 38. Chicago turned the takeaway into points, adding three on the ensuing drive.

Special Teams

Chimere Dike – WR – Tennessee Titans

Dike provides a spark early for the Titans! The sensational rookie returned a first quarter Chargers’ punt 67 yards to the end zone, marking his first career return touchdown and giving Tennessee an early lead.

The special teams score gave the Titans their first return touchdown since 2020 and first punt return touchdown since the 2012 season.

 

Tommy Townsend – P – Houston Texans
Tommy Townsend was a special teams catalyst late in the first half. With 46 seconds remaining, the sixth-year punter launched a 42-yard punt that was muffed by the Broncos return man Michael Bandy and recovered by Houston at the Denver 30. The Texans turned miscue into a field goal as time expired in the half, extending their lead to five.

Townsend stayed busy all afternoon, notching eight punts with an average distance of 53.5 yards, as well as a 73-yard boot in the fourth quarter.

 

For a complete list of Gators in the NFL, see below.

Arizona Cardinals (ARI 27 – DAL 17)

90 – Zachary Carter* – DT – 4 years (Practice Squad)

Atlanta Falcons (ATL 23 – NE 24)

8 – Kyle Pitts – TE – 5 years (4 Receptions, 38 Yards)

Baltimore Ravens (BAL 28 – MIA 6)

58 – Taven Bryan – DL – 8 years

Buffalo Bills (KC 21 – BUF 28)

64 – O’Cyrus Torrence – OG – 3 years

Carolina Panthers (CAR 16 – GB 13)

49 – Jeremiah Moon* – LB – 3 years (Practice Squad)

92 – Cam Jackson – DT – Rookie

Chicago Bears (CHI 47 – CIN 42)

35 – C.J. Gardner-Johnson – S – 7 years (6 TOT, 5 SOLO, 1 Sack, 1 TFL, 1 QB Hit)

99 – Gervon Dexter Sr. – DL – 3 years (1 FR)

Cincinnati Bengals (CHI 47 – CIN 42)

2 – Evan McPherson – K – 5 years (2/3 FG, Long of 41, 4/4 XP)

24 – Marco Wilson – CB – 5 years

98 – T.J. Slaton Jr. – DL – 5 years (5 TOT, 1 SOLO, 1 QB Hit)

Dallas Cowboys (ARI 27 – DAL 17)

13 – Dante Fowler Jr. – DE – 11 years (2 TOT, 2 SOLO, 1 Sack, 1 TFL, 1 QB Hit)

20 – Kaiir Elam – CB – 4 years (1 TOT, 1 SOLO)

21 – Malik Davis – RB – 3 years (1 Rush, 3 Yards)

25 – Trikweze Bridges – CB – Rookie (1 TOT, 1 SOLO)

50 – Shemar James – LB – Rookie (5 TOT, 2 SOLO, 1 TFL, 1 QB Hit)

Denver Broncos (DEN 18 – HOU 15)

16 – Jeremy Crawshaw – P – Rookie (8 Punts, 428 Yards, 53.5 AVG, 2 in 20, Long of 76)

Detroit Lions (MIN 27 – DET 24)

34 – Alex Anzalone – LB – 9 years (7 TOT, 4 SOLO, 1 QB Hit)

65 – Kingsley Eguakun* – C – 1 year (Practice Squad)

Green Bay Packers (CAR 16 – GB 13)

57 – Brenton Cox Jr. – DL – 3 years (Injured/Reserve)

Houston Texans (DEN 18 – HOU 15)

6 – Tommy Townsend – P – 6 years (8 Punts, 420 Yards, 52.5 AVG, 2 in 20, Long of 73)

18 – Graham Mertz – QB – Rookie

31 – Dameon Pierce – RB – 4 years

77 – Trent Brown – OT – 11 years

Indianapolis Colts (IND 20 – PIT 27)

5 – Anthony Richardson Sr. – QB – 3 years (Injured/Reserve)

Jacksonville Jaguars (JAX 30 – LV 29)

51 – Ventrell Miller – LB – 3 years (7 TOT, 2 SOLO)

Kansas City Chiefs (KC 21 – BUF 28)

74 – Jawaan Taylor – OT – 7 years

Las Vegas Raiders (JAX 30 – LV 29)

70 – Stone Forsythe – OL – 5 years

88 – Justin Shorter* – WR – 3 years (Practice Squad)

Los Angeles Chargers (LAC 27 – TEN 20)

72 – David Sharpe* – OL – 6 years (Practice Squad)

Los Angeles Rams (NO 10 – LAR 34)

72 – DJ Humphries – OL – 11 years

Miami Dolphins (BAL 28 – MIA 6)

33 – Jason Marshall Jr. – CB – Rookie

Minnesota Vikings (MIN 27 – DET 24)

58 – Jonathan Greenard – OLB – 6 years (4 TOT, 2 SOLO, 1 TFL)

New Orleans Saints (NO 10 – LAR 34)

98 – Jonathan Bullard – DE – 10 years (2 TOT)

New York Jets (BYE)

54 – Ja’Markis Weston – LB – Rookie

Philadelphia Eagles (BYE)

74 – Fred Johnson – OT – 7 years

San Francisco 49ers (SF 34 – NYG 24)

1 – Ricky Pearsall – WR – 1 year

5 – Demarcus Robinson – WR – 10 years

18 – Eddy Piñeiro – K – 5 years (2/2 FG, Long of 54, 4/4 XP)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (BYE)

56 – Desmond Watson* – DT – Rookie (Practice Squad)

Tennessee Titans (LAC 27 – TEN 20)

11 – Van Jefferson – WR – 6 years (1 Reception, 21 Yards)

17 – Chimere Dike – WR – Rookie (1 Reception, 5 Yards, 4 KR, 117 Yards, 3 PR, 98 Yards, 1 TD)

78 – Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson – OT – Rookie

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