Bo Nickal earns UFC contract after dominating win; former Penn State defender earns NFL spot: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Sept. 28 include an NFL roster promotion for Jesse Luketa, Bo Nickal’s latest MMA fight results, and more.
It’s time to dive into Wednesday’s top tweets and headlines about past and present Nittany Lions plus much more.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with former Penn State wrestling star Bo Nickal. He had his latest MMA fight on Tuesday. He battled Donovan Beard in Dana White’s Contender Series on ESPN+. Nickal used an overhand punch and a triangle choke to win in just 52 seconds. It earned him a UFC contract and spot in the UFC video game, which is powered by EA Sports.
“For a kid who has almost no experience, took on a guy tonight who’s 6-foot-2 who’s 7-1, and the confidence this kid had to roll into that triangle; me and a lot of other people are excited to see the future this kid has,” White said on ESPN+.
“We see a lot of great things on this show. These are the best of the best that haven’t been signed yet. A kid like Bo, what he did in his first fight, how easy he made it look, he stepped up big time in competition tonight, and I don’t even know what you call that. He put on a clinic. He’s in. I think this kid has unbelievable potential.”
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In other news, there is big news out about Penn State linebacker Jesse Luketa. The onetime Lions linebacker and defensive end who is classified as an outside linebacker by the Arizona Cardinals was signed to the NFC West team’s active 53-man roster on Tuesday. He is likely to see special teams work, at minimum, this week.
Arizona drafted Luketa in the seventh round of last year’s pro selection process. He was cut during training camp in August but was quickly signed back to the Cardinals’ practice squad. Now, he’ll have a chance to make his debut at the next level.
In other Lions alumni news, former kicker Sam Ficken had a workout with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday. Jags starter Riley Patterson missed a field goal last week but has otherwise been solid to start the year. As of Wednesday morning, Ficken hasn’t been signed. But, he continues to pursue his NFL career.
Headlines of the day
James Franklin on Drew Allar’s playing time and Penn State’s push to establish depth: McGonigal, PennLive
James Franklin updates DL absence, QB situation: Notebook: Bauer, BWI
Penn State’s Sean Clifford Has ‘Taken Another Step’: Wogenrich, SI
Committed Top 100 prospect set for White Out visit: FItz, BWI
Sports Events Generate More Than $400 Million in Economic Impact for Centre County, Study Finds: Rushton, Statecollege.com
Penn State secondary turning into P-B-University: Film Study: Carr, BWI
James Franklin says Penn State football defensive end Smith Vilbert is ‘just not available’: Engle, Daily Collegian
Two four-star 2024 prospects confirm plans to attend Penn State vs. Northwestern Saturday: Snyder, BWI
Sue Paterno spotted in Penn State president’s suite for 1st time in more than a decade: CDT
Quote of the day
“He could have played. But it made a whole lot more sense for us and for him to try to hold him if we could. And then J.B. practiced and played so well that it was the right decision. We’ll see how this week goes. We’re hoping to have him back. If we don’t, then we feel confident that J.B. will be able to go in and do the job. But that’s kind of how that’s going to play out each week in a perfect world.”
—PSU coach James Franklin on offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad, who was unavailable for last week’s win.
