Former Wisconsin linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel showcased his defensive versatility in the Minnesota Vikings’ season opener on Sunday.
With 4:26 to spare in the third quarter of Minnesota’s contest against the New York Giants, Van Ginkel peeled off the left edge to intercept quarterback Daniel Jones deep in Giants territory.
Uncontested, Van Ginkel walked into the end zone to secure his third career interception and second-ever pick-6 in the NFL.
Van Ginkel’s score made it 27-6 in favor of the Vikings and essentially clinched Minnesota’s victory over New York on the road.
Here’s the full sequence:
VAN GINKEL PICK-6! 🚨
📺: #MINvsNYG on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/dTkLrnbCOh— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Van Ginkel is among 25 former Badgers to suit up in the opening week of the 2024 NFL slate. He, alongside the Steelers’ T.J. Watt and Bears’ T.J. Edwards, highlight a loaded Wisconsin linebacker contingent to make it to the NFL.
During his two-year tenure at UW, the 2018 third-team All-Big Ten member started in 10 of his 27 appearances. The Iowa native logged 99 tackles, including 19.5 TFLs, and registered 2.0 sacks.