With the NFL regular season officially beginning this week, many former Penn State stars saw their first snaps of the season after being held out of the preseason.
Saquon Barkley, Micah Parsons, and Chris Godwin, among others, all saw their first action of the season this weekend. Here’s how each former Nittany Lion performed:
Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Former Penn State star running back Saquon Barkley dazzled in his debut back playing for a team from Pennsylvania.
Barkley rushed for 109 yards on 24 carries (4.5 yards per carry) and scored two rushing touchdowns. Saquon also caught two passes for 23 yards, including an 18-yard wheel route touchdown (reminding Penn State fans of another wheel route touchdown against a team from Wisconsin in the 2016 Big Ten Championship). Barkley also recovered a Jalen Hurts fumble in the Eagles 34-29 win over the Packers.
Saquon Barkley is having one of the greatest team debuts of all time.
📺: #GBvsPHI on Peacock pic.twitter.com/Hvx7tUzGkI
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2024
Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys
The self-proclaimed “Lion” picked up where he left off last season, racking up four tackles (three solo), a sack, a pass defended, and five quarterback hits in Dallas’ 33-17 win over the Cleveland Browns.
His name is Micah Parsons
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/ET01UPYo7H
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) September 8, 2024
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin caught his first touchdown of the season Sunday to move him to second all-time among receivers in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history. Godwin caught eight passes for 83 yards in Tampa Bay’s 37-20 win over the Commanders.
Baker Mayfield ➡️ Chris Godwin 🙌
(🎥: @NFL)pic.twitter.com/OBCSwG1fqi
— theScore (@theScore) September 8, 2024
Odafe Oweh, Baltimore Ravens
Odafe Oweh recorded four tackles (three solo) and a quarterback hit in Baltimore’s 27-20 season opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Fellow Nittany Lion defensive end Adisa Isaac missed the game with an injury.
Jordan Stout, Baltimore Ravens
Former Penn State punter Jordan Stout punted twice in Baltimore’s 27-20 loss to the Chiefs, landing both punts inside the 20. Stout averaged 37.5 yards per punt with a long of 40.
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Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
After agreeing to a four-year, $48.4 million contract extension just before the start of the regular season, Pat Freiermuth was Justin Fields second favorite target in Pittsburgh’s opener. Freiermuth caught four passes for 27 yards in the Steelers’ 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Joey Porter Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
Joey Porter Jr. recorded three tackles (two solo) in Pittsburgh’s season opening 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Arnold Ebiketie, Atlanta Falcons
Former Nittany Lions defensive end Arnold Ebiketie recorded five tackles (four solo) in Atlanta’s 18-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Blake Gillikin, Arizona Cardinals
Blake Gillikin punted twice for the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, averaging 39 yards per punt.
Jaquan Brisker, Chicago Bears
Jaquan Brisker finished second on the team in tackles with 10 tackles (five solo) in Chicago’s 24-17 comeback win over the Tennessee Titans.
Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Gesicki caught three passes for 18 yards Sunday for the Cincinnati Bengals. Gesicki also had a touchdown catch called back after review in the game.
Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars
Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers
Miles Sanders rushed five times for 22 yards in Carolina’s 47-10 loss to the Saints.
Nick Scott, Carolina Panthers
Former Penn State safety Nick Scott defended one pass in Carolina’s 47-10 loss to the Saints.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants
Theo Johnson caught the first pass of his NFL career, an 18-yard reception, in New York’s 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
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