Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium was jammed with a crowd of 71,099 last Sunday. As the national anthem blared on the public address system, jets buzzed overhead.

No. 96 in the visiting Kansas City Chiefs' uniform tried to appear cool, collected. Inside, his heart was pounding.

"I was like, 'This is a different atmosphere than what I grew up in,'" said Andy Studebaker.

A 6-foot-3, 248-pound outside linebacker, Studebaker's football roots are at Eureka High School and Division III Wheaton College. Both are a long way from Baltimore and week one of the National Football League season.

Yet, there was Studebaker, a starter on every special teams unit and a backup to veteran outside linebacker Mike Vrabel in the Chiefs' 38-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

"I had the honor of being the first guy from my college to ever be on an opening-day roster," Studebaker said in a phone interview this week. "It's a real blessing to be a part of this league and have the opportunity to play and do what I love for a living."

Studebaker was playing in his seventh NFL regular-season game but first opener. Drafted in the sixth round last year by Philadelphia, he was signed by the Chiefs off the Eagles' practice squad in November 2008.

He played in Kansas City's final six games last year, mostly on special teams, before making the opening day roster this season.

"I figure I'm in on one out of every five or six plays on average, whether it is kickoff, kick return, punt return or whatever," Studebaker said. "Special teams are a big part of the game, especially in the NFL. It's a lot of fun, too.

"You get to run down the field as fast as you can and hit people. It's still football on special teams. You still wake up sore on Monday morning."

Studebaker, 24, was a record-setting defensive end at Wheaton, but began the adjustment to linebacker in Philadelphia. He played defensive end after joining Kansas City, but is a linebacker this season in the Chiefs' new 3-4 defense.

Studebaker said the system is "the best fit" for him.

"It gives me a chance to be in open space and use my athleticism," he said. "Since I played linebacker in Philadelphia, I picked up on it pretty quick."

When he has questions, he knows where to turn. Vrabel, 34, played in four Super Bowls with New England, winning three. He has been a valuable resource for Studebaker, sharing with him "the ins and outs of outside linebacker."

"He has taught me a ton," Studebaker said. "He's the kind of guy who's an open door. He wants to teach you and help you. Before I met Mike I was like, 'Will he help me? Will I be on my own?' From day one, he's been a big-time mentor for me."

The Chiefs play their home opener at noon today against Oakland. Studebaker will play on special teams and be prepared to fill in at either outside linebacker spot should a starter need a rest or get injured.

He said he has enjoyed a smooth transition to first-year head coach Todd Haley.

"They want hard workers here who play smart football," said Studebaker, who is in the final year of a two-year contract he signed with Philadelphia. "If you do those things, you have a shot on this team.

"I'm playing in the NFL and for a team I love being a part of. It's just a real blessing."