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Penn State NFL Roundup: Chris Godwin and Miles Sanders go off, rookie makes debut

IMG_1698 5 (1)by:David Eckert•12/07/21•

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Miles Sanders
Former Penn State running back Miles Sanders carries the ball during a game against the Saints. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images))

A career day for Chris Godwin, a return to form for Miles Sanders and a rookie debut for Will Fries gave us plenty to highlight when it comes to former Penn State players in the NFL this week.

Let’s start our full recap by ranking the five most notable performances in Week 13.

1.) Chris Godwin (Played at Penn State 2014-16), WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

After a couple of quiet weeks, Godwin broke out in a big way.

He registered a career-high 15 receptions on 17 targets from Tom Brady, racking up 143 receiving yards — the third-highest total of his career — in a win over Atlanta.

Godwin is up to 949 yards and five receiving touchdowns on the season.

2.) Miles Sanders (2016-18), RB, Philadelphia Eagles

The former Penn State running back produced by far his best game of the 2021 season on Sunday in a win over the Jets.

Sanders carried the ball 24 times, surpassing the 100-yard threshold for the first time this year as he racked up 120 rushing yards.

He also caught all three of his targets for 22 yards through the air.

He’s still dealing with an ankle injury, but said he expects to be ready to go when the Eagles return from their bye in two weeks.

3.) Micah Parsons (2018-19), LB, Dallas Cowboys 

Parsons’ rookie season continues to be one for the ages.

The former Penn State linebacker earned a sack for the fifth consecutive game, hitting the quarterback twice and coming away with five total tackles in a Dallas victory over the Saints.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, he is the first player with 70 tackles and 10 sacks through his team’s first 12 games since James Harrison did so in 2010.

4.) Amani Oruwariye (2014-18), CB, Detroit Lions

The former Penn State defensive back helped the Lions to their first win of the season, as they got the better of the Vikings, 29-27. Oruwariye finished the game with seven tackles. He also registered his second tackle for loss of the season in the win.

5.) Will Fries (2016-20), OL, Indianapolis Colts 

Fries made his NFL debut in Week 13 for the Colts, playing 10 snaps in a 31-0 demolition of the Texans.

Odafe Oweh (2018-20), DE, Baltimore Ravens 

Oweh posted a career-high five tackles in Baltimore’s loss to the Steelers, also picking up his first career pass breakup.

Pat Freiermuth (2018-20), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers 

It was a quiet day for Freiermuth in Pittsburgh’s win over Baltimore.

The rookie caught three of the four passes sent his way for 26 yards. He also completed a successful two-point conversion.

RELATED: Former Penn State assistants find new coordinator jobs; Lions enter race for transfer portal linebacker: Newsstand

Shaka Toney (2016-20), DE, Washington Football Team 

Toney played five snaps for the Football Team on defense in a win over Las Vegas.

Trace McSorley (2014-18), QB, Arizona Cardinals

McSorley remains on the Cardinals’ active roster despite the return of Kyler Murray. He didn’t play in Arizona’s win over the Bears this week.

Adrian Amos (2011-14), S, Green Bay Packers

Amos and the Packers had their bye this week.

Mike Gesicki (2014-17), TE, Miami Dolphins

Gesicki had a busy day in a win over the Giants, hauling in seven of his 11 targets for 56 yards.

Blake Gillikin (2016-19), P, New Orleans Saints

Gillikin was excellent yet again for the Saints in their loss to Dallas. He punted six times for 308 yards, including one 64 yarder.

Jesse James (2012-14), TE, Chicago Bears 

James started for the Bears in their loss to Arizona but was not targeted in the passing game.

Yetur Gross-Matos (2017-19), DE, Carolina Panthers 

Gross-Matos and the Panthers had their bye this week.

Nick Scott (2014-18), S, Los Angeles Rams

Former Penn State safety Nick Scott played 19 snaps on defense and 19 snaps on special teams in a win over Jacksonville, coming away with three tackles.

Austin Johnson (2012-15), DT, New York Giants

Johnson played 38 snaps on defense and finished with five tackles in a loss to Miami on the road.

Saquon Barkley (2015-17), RB, New York Giants 

Barkley carried the ball 11 times for 55 yards and caught six passes for 19 yards in New York’s loss to the Dolphins.

Carl Nassib (2011-15), DE, Las Vegas Raiders

Nassib did not play in Las Vegas’s loss to the Washington Football Team this week.

Juwan Johnson (2015-18), TE, New Orleans Saints

Johnson played 24 snaps and caught his only target for 27 yards in a loss to the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football.

Robbie Gould (2001-04), K, San Francisco 49ers

Former Penn State kicker Robbie Gould connected on his only field goal attempt and hit two of his three PATs in a loss to Seattle.

Allen Robinson II (2011-13), WR, Chicago Bears

Robinson missed a third straight game for the Bears with an injury.

Connor McGovern (2016-18), OL, Dallas Cowboys

McGovern got his third straight start for the Cowboys in their win over the Saints, playing all 70 snaps on offense for Dallas. He seems to have taken over the starting job at left guard in Dallas for now.

Jason Cabinda (2014-17), FB, Detroit Lions

Former Penn State linebacker Jason Cabinda played 13 snaps at fullback for the Lions in their win over the Vikings and registered a special teams tackle as well.

DaQuan Jones (2010-13), DT, Carolina Panthers 

Jones and the Panthers had their bye this week.

Cam Brown (2016-19), LB, New York Giants

Brown did not play on defense but did contribute a special teams tackle for the Giants in their loss to Miami.

Ryan Bates (2015-18),OL, Buffalo Bills

Former Penn State tackle Ryan Bates played four offensive snaps in a loss to New England on Monday Night Football.

Marcus Allen (2014-17), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Allen played 18 snaps on special teams for the Steelers in their win over the Ravens.

Kevin Givens (2015-18), DT, San Francisco 49ers 

Former Penn State DT Kevin Givens played 20 snaps on defense but did not make a tackle in San Francisco’s loss to Seattle.

Donovan Smith (2011-14), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Smith played every snap on offense for the Bucs for the eighth time this season in their win over Atlanta.

Dan Chisena (2015-19), WR, Minnesota Vikings 

Chisena played five snaps at wideout for the Vikings in their loss to Detroit. He also played 19 special teams snaps, making two tackles.

Troy Apke (2014-17), S, Washington Football Team 

Former Penn State safety Troy Apke still hasn’t played on defense this season, but continues to contribute on special teams, playing 18 snaps there for Washington in its win this week over the Raiders.

Nick Bowers (2015-19), TE, Las Vegas Raiders

The former Penn State tight end has been on injured reserve since mid-October with a neck injury.

John Reid (2015-19), CB, Seattle Seahawks 

Reid played 12 snaps on special teams and made a tackle in Seattle’s win over San Francisco.

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