There were a few of impressive beginnings in the opening preseason matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium Thursday night, Aug 13.
Packers rookie Trey Smack was the entire offense, kicking three field goal, including a 58-yarder in a 28-9 loss.
Steelers rookie Drew Allar threw for 183 yards and was at least partially responsible for three of the Steelers' four touchdowns.
And Milwaukee native Riley Nowakowski, drafted by the Steelers in the fifth round after helping Indiana win a national championship, caught Allar's second touchdown pass late in the second half.
Nowakowski, who scored in the national title game, transferred to Indiana after playing two years at Wisconsin. He caught 32 passes for 387 yards and two touchdowns last season while playing tight end with the Hoosiers. He is currently listed as a fullback on the Steelers' roster.
Steelers head coach Mile McCarthy has been impressed with what he has seen from the Marquette University High School graduate in training camp.
“I don’t know if Riley could do any more just in the time he’s been here.” — Mike McCarthy with high praise for rookie fullback Nowakowski for his position versatility
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 10, 2026
McCarthy called Nowakowski's number twice near in the end zone against the Packers. Nowakowski was unable to secure a low throw from Allar at the goal line with the Steelers leading 14-9 in the second half. But Allar found him in the red zone again on the Steelers' final drive and Nowakowski made a slick, one-handed 4-yard touchdown catch.
It appears Nowakowski is building an immediate fan club in Pittsburgh:
RILEY NOWAKOWSKI ONE HANDED SNAG
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 14, 2026
AGENDAS ARE THRIVING https://t.co/GTsWnu0Tgi
I already know I’m going to love Riley Nowakowski
— Chris Dokish (@ChrisDokish) August 14, 2026
allar to nowakowski is the new montana to rice https://t.co/bIoc7atzJv
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) August 14, 2026
Allar remains perfect on the night, three drives, three touchdowns
— Andrew Deal (@AndrewDeal22) August 14, 2026
Allar has found multiple fellow Big Ten rookies for touchdowns: Kaden Wetjen (Iowa) and Riley Nowakowski (Indiana) pic.twitter.com/8L3nR4EGXv
Allar's draft classmate Riley Nowakowski on the receiving end of this one. https://t.co/14e7T3QpKG
— Matt Michelone (@MattMichelone) August 14, 2026
Riley Nowakowski gets a little redemption after dropping a TD earlier. Drew Allar finds the FB. Three TD drives in three series for Allar.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) August 14, 2026
Packers vs Steelers highlights
See photos from the Packers-Steelers game
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's Riley Nowakowski quickly winning over Steelers fans