January 19, 2016

National spotlight shines on SVSU alum Janis

Former Saginaw Valley State University wide receiver Jeff Janis, 2013, B.S., was the center of attention during the Green Bay Packers' Saturday, Jan. 16 Divisional playoff matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

After coming into the game with just four career catches, an injury to the Packers' Randall Cobb provided Janis an opportunity to step up. The former SVSU star answered the call, catching seven passes for 145 yards with two touchdowns.

The key moment for Janis came when he pulled in the second of his two scores. Down by a touchdown, the Packers were forced into throwing a Hail Mary into the end zone. With time expiring, quarterback Aaron Rodgers chucked the ball as far as he could, and Janis, leaping and fending off two Arizona defenders, came down with the catch to send the game into overtime.

Green Bay would go on to lose the game, but Janis made a name of himself by stepping up when his team needed him the most.

Following the game, Janis was a social media sensation, with recognition from multiple online sources including:

• NFL.com - Jeff Janis' miracle moment won't soon be forgotten
• ESPN.com - Packers receiver Jeff Janis: 'It tells me that I can play'
• FoxSports.com - Who is Jeff Janis? Here's everything you need to know
• ESPN.com - Should the Packers have been playing WR Jeff Janis all along?
• Valley Vangaurd - Former SVSU star Jeff Janis plays big role in Green Bay Packers playoff game
• SVSUCardinals.com - Green Bay Packers Hail Mary makes Tawas native Jeff Janis instant star
• SVSU Facebook

Photo credit (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)