Robert Spillane headlines MACtion in Super Bowl LX

It’s time for football’s greatest event. The Super Bowl is the ultimate goal every player envisions from the first time throwing on the shoulder pads until the day the cleats are hung up for posterity. Millions gather in their family rooms watching history unfold on this Sunday evening every February.

Super Bowl LX features a showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. And although the rosters and personnel have turned over in the past 11 years, the memories remain fresh in both fanbases’ minds from that fateful Super Bowl XLIX, where the Patriots stole the Lombardi Trophy with a Malcolm Butler goal line interception in one of the sport’s most iconic moments. The Patriots eye a record seventh Super Bowl, while the Seahawks — which were denied a repeat by Butler’s interception — finally aim for Lombardi No. 2.

Many stories can be told every Super Bowl, and at Hustle Belt, we always aim for the MACtion angle. As usual, MACtion is represented in Sunday’s matchup:

New England Patriots

Robert Spillane, ILB, Western Michigan (2014-17) — Active

The main MAC alum to watch in Super Bowl LX is Robert Spillane, who was a pivotal member of the most iconic MAC team of the College Football Playoff era. Spillane attended Western Michigan from 2014-17 and operated as one of the conference’s best linebackers, earning All-MAC status in 2016 and 2017. With 111 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and three interceptions, Spillane was essential to Western Michigan’s legendary 13-1 campaign in 2016. In the MAC Championship Game vs. Ohio, Spillane secured the game-deciding interception in the final minute, solidifying the Broncos’ 13th-straight win and a spot in the Cotton Bowl vs. Wisconsin. He concluded his Western Michigan career in 2017 with 88 tackles and 11 tackles for loss — currently ranking ninth in program history in tackles.

Spillane was undrafted in 2018 but rose from the practice squad and played a pair of games with the Tennessee Titans as a rookie. The linebacker then signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and spent four years as a part-time starter, proving he had the mettle to stick around in the league. His true breakout transpired in 2023 with the Las Vegas Raiders where he ranked 10th in the NFL with 148 tackles in his initial year as a full-time starter. In 2024, Spillane one-upped it with 158 tackles to check in at third in the league. He signed with the New England Patriots for the 2025 season and started 13 regular season games and all three postseason victories. This year he has 97 tackles (14 in the playoffs) and made the game-sealing pass breakup to knock off the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. Spillane will play in his first Super Bowl on Sunday in Santa Clara, CA.

Brock Lampe, FB, Northern Illinois (2021-24) — IR

Brock Lampe didn’t have to wait long in his NFL career to reach the Super Bowl. The fullback reached the final stage in his first NFL season, fresh off a 4-year tenure at Northern Illinois. Lampe originally onboarded at Northern Illinois as a special teamer but eventually carved his way into the lineup as a fullback. He participated in the Huskies’ 2021 MAC Championship Game victory over Kent State — the final MAC championship for the program. Lampe greatly increased his role in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, operating as one of the teams’ secondary ball carriers and pass catches, in addition to his blocking duties. In 47 games as a Huskie, Lampe recorded 66 rushing yards, 218 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns.

Lampe was undrafted and remains a member of the Patriots. However, he has yet to make his NFL debut. The Northern Illinois alum was placed on injured reserve Jul. 29 with a season-ending foot injury, making him ineligible to suit up during the 2025 season.

Thomas Odukoya, TE, Eastern Michigan (2018-21) — PS

After navigating the community college ranks for two years, Thomas Odukoya found a home at Eastern Michigan, spending four years at The Factory under Chris Creighton and staff. Odukoya was a part-time starting tight end in 2018 and 2019 — primarily used as a blocker — but he truly started making noise during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. As the full-time No. 1 tight end, Odukoya two touchdown receptions for the Eagles. That momentum continued into 2021 where he completed an All-MAC season with 130 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Despite being undrafted in 2022, the Netherlands native found a home with the Tennessee Titans through the International Player Pathway Program. He spent the majority of four seasons (2022-25) as a practice squad player on the Titans, oftentimes lauded for his special teams efforts. Odukoya saw one offensive snap and 36 special teams snaps during the 2024 campaign with the Titans. He was waived on Oct. 14 but subsequently picked up by the Patriots on Oct. 16. Odukoya won’t participate in Super Bowl LX but can win his first ring to cement a true underdog journey.

Seattle Seahawks

Maxen Hook, SS, Toledo (2020-24) — PS

In terms of NFL talent production, Toledo has become the MAC’s modern “DB U,” regularly sending defensive backs to the league — including four drafted since 2019. Hook was undrafted, but the work he put in at Toledo was evident. He was a rare 4-time All-MAC selection, earning Third Team honors in 2021 and First Team honors in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The strong safety was an omnipresent force on defense, registering 356 tackles, seven interceptions, 15 pass breakups, and 7.5 tackles for loss during a long and productive career at Toledo. The 4-year starter won a MAC title in 2022 and was a member of five winning teams under head coach Jason Candle.

Hook signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after going undrafted, joining former Toledo defensive back teammate Quinyon Mitchell in the City of Brotherly Love. The rookie was cut Aug. 25 but latched onto a new home in Seattle on Oct. 8 as a member of the practice squad. Hook still awaits his NFL debut but the practice squad member could conclude his first season as a champion if the Seahawks prevail in Santa Clara.

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