Penn State in the NFL: Week 8
Wide receivers were the focal point for the Penn State football alumni in Week 8, with three receivers having the biggest games of their careers.
Former Penn State wide receiver KJ Hamler scored his first NFL touchdown as time expired to give the Denver Broncos a walk-off win over the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30. Hamler finished the game with three receptions for 13 yards.
Hamler’s teammate and former Penn State receiver DaeSean Hamilton led the Broncos in receiving with four receptions for 82 yards. Hamilton also secured a touchdown in the contest.
Former Penn State receiver Allen Robinson is solidifying himself as an elite receiver in the NFL. Robinson caught six passes for 87 yards in a close 26-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints. His biggest play of the game was his acrobatic 24-yard touchdown from Bears quarterback Nick Foles.
Amani Oruwariye adds tackles to his season with three in the Detroit Lions’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts 41-21. Oruwariye has 19 tackles on the year.
Miami Dolphins’ tight end Mike Gesicki had a quiet Week 8 with one reception for 8 yards. Gesicki had a new quarterback with rookie Tua Tagovailoa making his first career start. The game was not offensively dominated by the Dolphins, as the defense had a scoop-and-score touchdown in the 28-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Running back Miles Sanders did not take the field for the Eagles for the second week in a row. Sanders is dealing with a knee injury that has not let him practice. The Eagles hope to have him back against the Giants after the bye week.
Likewise, Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin has been dealing with injuries all season. Godwin did not play against the Giants after having surgery on his fractured index finger. Godwin is questionable to return in the division matchup against the Saints in Week 9.
The Buccaneers are set to have a favorable matchup against the Saints in Week 9 with the return of wide receiver Antonio Brown. If Godwin plays against the Saints, then quarterback Tom Brady will have more offensive weapons than he can count.
The highest draft pick for Penn State in 2020, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, was sidelined with an ankle injury in the 25-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Gross-Matos is eligible to return to the field in the next two weeks.
Overall, Penn State alums had a very eventful week in the NFL. Former receivers especially put on a clinic. The players to watch will be the duo on the Broncos in Hamler and Hamilton.
The Broncos play the Falcons in Week 9, which means that the two receivers could have another big game since the Falcons secondary has not been playing well.
Spencer Ripchik is a freshman majoring in journalism. To contact him, email ripcspen@gmail.com.
