Penn State in the NFL: Week 4
Former Nittany Lions continued to make their mark on the league during week four of the NFL season. Let’s take a look around the league and see how these former Penn State football players played this past weekend.
Saquon Barkley, RB, NYG
He’s back, everyone.
Barkley enjoyed his best game since returning from a season ending torn ACL last year. The New York Giants running back had over 100 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in an overtime win over the New Orleans Saints.
One of those touchdowns would be the game-winner as Barkley would record a 6-yard rushing touchdown as the Giants won their first game of the season. His other touchdown would also be one of his best plays so far this season as he burst into the open field and scored on a 54-yard receiving touchdown.
It’s taken him a few weeks to readjust following his injury, but this could be a sign of what’s to come for the former Penn State star.
Amani Oruwariye, CB, DET
The 2019 fifth-round pick has enjoyed a hot start to the season despite the lack of success from the Detroit Lions.
In a loss against the Chicago Bears, Oruwariye picked up his second interception of the season. During the second quarter, Oruwariye picked off a pass from rookie quarterback Justin Fields in what would be the signal caller's only interception of the game.
For Oruwariye, he now has recorded an interception in two straight games after getting one the week prior against the Baltimore Ravens. Oruwariye has tied his career high with just two interceptions in just four games this season.
The cornerback also tied for the team lead with six tackles and had a pass deflected in the game.
Mike Gesicki, TE, MIA
Gesicki followed up what was a career week in last week's loss against the Las Vegas Raiders with another strong game against the Indianapolis Colts.
In a Dolphins loss, Gesicki picked up his first touchdown on the season from 1-yard out on a throw from quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The Dolphins were trying to make a comeback in the fourth quarter and the touchdown to Gesicki cut the Colts lead to 20-10 following an extra point.
The Dolphins tight end finished the game with five receptions for 57 yards and that touchdown. Those 57 yards was the second most on the team behind DeVante Parker and third most in the game.
Gesicki is trying to follow up on what was a breakout season in 2020 where he had 53 receptions for 703 yards and six touchdowns.
Micah Parsons, LB, DAL
Parsons continued his hot start to his NFL career in a win over the Carolina Panthers.
The linebacker extended his streak of at least a half-a-sack to three games as he was able to get to Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold. Parsons now has 2.5 sacks in just four games to start his NFL career.
Along with the sack, Parsons picked up four tackles as he helped the Dallas Cowboys move up to 3-1 on the season.
Logan Bourandas is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.
