Houston, Texas – Two University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football alums squared off on NBC's Sunday Night Football in Houston Sunday night. The game featured the Houston Texans playing host to the Indianapolis Colts at Reliant Stadium. UMHB product Jerrell Freeman is a starting linebacker for the Colts and former Cru offensive lineman Nate Menkin is on the Texans' practice squad.
The game turned out to be a barn-burner worthy of its prime time slot on national TV. The Texans jumped out to a 21-3 halftime lead before Freeman and the Colts stormed back in the second half. An Indianapolis touchdown with 4:00 remaining ended up being the difference as the Colts posted a 27-24 victory. Freeman finished with five tackles for Indianapolis as the Colts improved to 6-2 on the year with the win.
Both players are in their second season in the NFL. Freeman, who played for the Cru from 2004-07, is a second-year starter at linebacker for the Colts and he led the team in tackles as a rookie last season. He also spent three seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan RoughRiders. Menkin played for UMHB from 2008-11 and is in his first season on the Texans' practice squad. He spent last season as a reserve offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles.
