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Penn State NFL Roundup: How former Nittany Lions fared in the regular season's final week

IMG_1698 5 (1)by:David Eckert•01/10/22•

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Pat Freiermuth Steelers
Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Penn State Nittany Lions football is sending 16 alumni to the NFL Playoffs following an eventful final week of regular-season action.

Here’s how the Nittany Lions performed across the NFL in Week 18.

Pat Freiermuth (Played at Penn State 2018-20), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers 

Freiermuth delivered a key performance for the Steelers as they secured a playoff spot with an overtime win over the Ravens.

He was targeted nine times, reeling in six of those passes for 53 yards — his second-highest yardage total of the season.

He delivered a clutch third-down conversion in overtime before the Steelers kicked their game-winning field goal.

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

Barkley carried the ball 11 times for 30 yards against the Washington Football Team. He also caught three passes for 19 yards in the loss.

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

Parsons did not play this week after being placed on the COVID list. Unfortunately, that meant he did not get his shot at tying the rookie sack record, needing just 1.5 sacks to do so.

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

Amos played 64 percent of defensive snaps in a loss to the Lions despite Green Bay having already wrapped up the top seed in the NFC.

He finished the game with five tackles.

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

The former Penn State defensive end did not play this week after he was placed on the COVID list

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

The Lions placed Oruwariye on injured reserve prior to a Week 16 loss to Atlanta, ending what has been a phenomenal season for the cornerback. 

Oruwariye finished the year with six interceptions, 11 pass breakups and a fumble recovery to go along with 44 tackles in 14 games. 

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

Sanders did not play for a second straight week after breaking a bone in his hand.

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

Cabinda did not play for a second consecutive week due to a knee injury.

Chris Godwin (2014-16), WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

The former Penn State wideout suffered a season-ending injury in Week 15 against the Saints, tearing his ACL and MCL on a hit to his knee. 

He finished the year with 98 receptions for 1,103 yards and six scores.

Austin Johnson (Played at Penn State 2012-15), DT, New York Giants

Johnson started every game this season for the Giants, playing 31 snaps in the loss to Washington this week, and making four tackles.

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

Toney was credited with 0.5 sacks in the win over the Giants. He played 12 snaps on defense, picked up two tackles, and registered a QB hit.

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

Fries was a healthy scratch for the Colts in their loss to Jacksonville this week.

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

Oweh did not play for a second straight week due to a foot injury. The former Penn State defensive lineman finishes his rookie season with five sacks, five tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits and 33 tackles.

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

McSorley remains on Arizona’s active roster but has yet to make an appearance after signing midseason.

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

The former Penn State tight end reeled in two of his three targets for 22 yards in Miami’s win over New England.

He enters the offseason as a free agent, having caught 73 passes for 780 yards in 2021.

Blake Gillikin (Played at Penn State 2016-19), P, New Orleans Saints

Gillikin punted twice for 100 yards in a win over the Falcons.

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

James started and played 25 snaps in a loss to the Vikings, but was not targeted in the passing game.

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

Scott played 35 defensive snaps for the Rams in their overtime loss to the 49ers. The former Penn State safety made five tackles and broke up a pass.

Carl Nassib (Played at Penn State 2011-15), DE, Las Vegas Raiders

Nassib didn’t play for the second week in a row after being placed on the COVID list.

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

The former Penn State wideout caught one pass for five yards and a touchdown in a win over Atlanta.

It’s the fourth time he found the end zone this season for the Saints, and the first time since Week Four.

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

Gould had his fourth perfect week in a row, connecting on three PATs and two field goals — including what turned out to be the game-winner in overtime, sending the 49ers to the playoffs.

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

Robinson caught two of his four targets for 11 yards in a loss to the Vikings.

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

McGovern got the start for the Cowboys in their win over the Eagles.

DaQuan Jones (Played at Penn State 2010-13), DT, Carolina Panthers 

The former Penn State defensive lineman played 32 snaps and registered four tackles in a loss to the Buccanneers to end the season.

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

Brown played 19 snaps on special teams in the loss to Washington.

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

Bates started for the third week in a row as the Bills clinched the AFC East title with a win over the Jets.

Marcus Allen (Played at Penn State 2014-17), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Combining for 33 snaps between defense and special teams, Allen finished with four tackles in Pittsburgh’s win over Baltimore.

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

Givens played 10 snaps and came away with two tackles in a win over the Rams.

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

Smith started for the 17th consecutive game as the Buccanneers blew out the Panthers, playing 53 snaps.

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

The former Penn State walk-on played 17 special teams snaps in a win over Chicago.

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

Apke played exclusively on special teams in 2021, finishing his campaign with 20 special teams snaps and one tackle against the Giants.

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

Bowers did not play in Week 18 following the return of star tight end Darren Waller.

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

The former Penn State corner missed Seattle’s final game of the season with a concussion.

Grant Haley (2014-17), CB, LA Rams

Haley played 16 snaps on special teams in a loss to the 49ers.

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