Matt Kaskey '19 Makes On-Field NFL Debut in Third Game

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former Dartmouth OL Matt Kaskey '19 achieved his dream of playing in the NFL when he took the field for the Carolina Panthers for a special teams play during a 33-7 loss to New Orleans on Jan. 3 in the final game of the regular season.

He is the second Big Green alumnus to appear in an NFL game this year, joining Niko Lalos '20 of the New York Giants, who played in each of his team's final six games, contributing to wins over Cincinnati, Seattle and Dallas.

On Dec. 19, Kaskey was promoted from the Carolina Panthers' practice squad and suited up for an NFL game for the first time but did not see action in a 24-16 defeat at Green Bay. The 6-7, 325-pound lineman from Winnetka, Illinois, was also on the sideline during the 20-13 road win at Washington the following week, but once again did not get on the field.

Kaskey was then added to the permanent 53-man roster prior to the season finale and got into the books when he lined up on the offensive line for the Panthers' PAT in the first quarter that tied the game at seven apiece.

With Kaskey and Lalos, Dartmouth has two active players in the NFL for the first time since 2005 when quarterback Jay Fiedler '94 played in nine game for the New York Jets and fullback Casey Cramer '04 saw action in one game, like Kaskey, with the Panthers.

At Dartmouth, Kaskey was a second-team FCS All-American by STATS and the AFCA, and a third-team selection by the Associated Press and Phil Steele as a senior. He was a three-year starter, playing in 37 of the 40 games during his career and starting at left tackle for each of the final 28 games as the Big Green posted a record of 30-10. Kaskey earned All-Ivy League First Team honors twice as well as Division I All-New England honors in his final campaign while serving as one of the team's captains.

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