Former Penn State defender has a breakout performance in Week 11 of NFL season
It was a very quiet day for the Penn State offensive players in the NFL, with both Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders getting shut down for the first time this season. However, that doesn’t mean that Penn State wasn’t well represented this weekend. Here are the former Nittany Lions that put together a standout day on Sunday. Stats are provided by PFF.
Penn State defenders
Micah Parsons
The Dallas Cowboys dominated the Minnesota Vikings 40-3 on Sunday, and Penn State pass rusher Micah Parsons was a big reason. He helped shut down the Viking’s passing game with nine pressures, two sacks, and a forced fumble to go along with five QB hits. Once again, the Cowboys changed up Parsons’ duties, moving him back to a full-time edge rusher this weekend. As a result, he only had two tackles in the game, which is also thanks to Minnesota putting together only 57 plays.
Brisker has breakout day
Jaquan Brisker
The run-heavy Atlanta Falcons tried to bully the Chicago Bears up front, and Jaquan Brisker wasn’t having any of it. It was a game reminiscent of the final half of his senior season at Penn State, where Brisker spent the majority (22) of his snaps in the box. According to PFF, he racked up eight tackles, including four stops and a forced fumble, while allowing only one catch for two yards and getting pressure on both of his pass-rushing snaps. His presence as a blitzer, box defender, and deep coverage player is the sort of presence his scouting report hinted at when the Bears took him in the second round. Unfortunately for Brisker, it wasn’t enough, as the Falcons still won 27-24.
Arnold Ebiketie:
Former Penn State pass rusher Arnold Ebiketie had his best game as a pro on the opposite side of Brisker Sunday. The defensive end tallied five pressure, a sack, and four stops in the win. The light is starting to come on for Ebiketie, who has tallied a sack in each of the last two games, according to PFF.
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Yetur Gross-Matos
The Carolina Panther’s defense is one of the better units in the NFL and limited the Baltimore Ravens’ offense to just 13 points this weekend. Former Penn Stater Yetur Gross-Matos was part of a contingency that brought down Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson four times, with Gross-Matos sacking him once. The defensive end also tallied four tackles, but like Brisker, Gross-Matos’ offense didn’t deliver. As a result, the Panthers only scored a field goal in the loss.
Offense has a quiet week
Pat Freiermuth:
While it was a losing effort, former tight end Pat Freiermuth held up his end of the bargain as a high-volume chain mover for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Penn State tight end caught eight targets for 79 yards in the loss, although two catches for 18 yards came in a garbage-time scoring drive to end the game. Despite that, Freiermuth played well and is a bright spot for the Steeler’s poor offense.
Allen Robinson
The Los Angeles Rams turned to Allen Robinson after star receiver Cooper Kupp went on the injured reserve with a high ankle sprain this week. While he didn’t deliver a season-topping performance, Robinson remains a steady positive force on the team. He caught four of five targets for 47 yards and a touchdown in the Ram’s loss to the New Orleans Saints.
