Milwaukee's Riley Nowakowski quickly winning over Steelers fans

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Milwaukee's Riley Nowakowski quickly winning over Steelers fans

Emmett Prosser, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel · Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Fri, Aug 14, 2026 ·

2 min read

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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 goals , 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.

Aug 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Riley Nowakowski (37) catches a touchdown pass against Green Bay Packers linebacker TJ Quinn (40) during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

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.

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: