Author Archives: Vincent Lungaro

11.04.20
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Penn Staters At The Next Level: Week 8

Even with Chris Godwin out of Tampa Bay’s lineup due to a finger injury, it was still a stellar weekend for Penn State wide receivers in the NFL.

KJ Hamler, WR, Denver Broncos

It seemed like the Broncos were finished in the third quarter of Sunday’s game with their division rival Los Angeles Charges. Trailing 24-3 and an offense that was sputtering, it seemed pretty improbable Denver had enough firepower to turn it around.

Photo By Steve Manuel

That proved not to be the case as the Broncos rallied for a stunning 31-30 win and the fourth largest comeback in franchise history.

Former Nittany Lion KJ Hamler one of the biggest heroes of the day for Denver, doing just enough to stay in bounds and corral a pass from Drew Lock to score the game-winning touchdown — the first touchdown of Hamler’s NFL career.

DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Denver Broncos

Hamler’s teammate (and fellow former Penn Stater) DaeSean Hamilton also had a big day for Denver.

Photo By Steve Manuel

Hamilton snagged Lock’s pass near the Chargers’ 20-yard line and sped toward the end zone to cut the deficit at that point to just three points at 27-24.

Overall, Hamilton finished with four receptions for 82 yards and that touchdown. The receiving total was Hamilton’s highest in a single game in his NFL career.

Allen Robinson II, WR, Chicago Bears

Photo By Steve Manuel

Another week, another Allen Robinson II appearance in our recap.

Even with the Bears offense continuing to struggle in their second straight loss, Robinson II continues to be a workhorse for Chicago.

He finished with six passes for 87 yards and this terrific touchdown grab. That’s some elite concentration to haul that one in while diving on to the cold turf of Soldier Field.

Nittany Lions In The NFL
Baltimore Ravens (1): Trace McSorley
Buffalo Bills (1): Ryan Bates
Carolina Panthers (2): Yetur Gross-Matos, Shareef Miller 
Chicago Bears (2): Jordan Lucas, Allen Robinson II
Dallas Cowboys (2): Sean Lee, Connor McGovern
Denver Broncos (2): DaeSean Hamilton, KJ Hamler 
Detroit Lions (3): Jason Cabinda, Jesse James, Amani Oruwariye
Green Bay Packers (1): Adrian Amos 
Houston Texans (1): John Reid 
Indianapolis Colts (1): Robert Windsor 
Las Vegas Raiders (2): Nick Bowers, Carl Nassib
Los Angeles Rams (1): Nick Scott
Miami Dolphins (1): Mike Gesicki
Minnesota Vikings (1): Dan Chisena 
New Orleans Saints (1): Blake Gillikin 
New York Giants (3): Saquon Barkley, Cam Brown, Austin Johnson
New York Jets (1): Sam Ficken, Chris Hogan, Ross Travis
Philadelphia Eagles (2): Miles Sanders, Trevor Williams, Shareef Miller
Pittsburgh Steelers (1): Marcus Allen, Stefen Wisniewski 
San Francisco 49ers (2): Kevin Givens, Robbie Gould 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3): Chris Godwin, A.Q. Shipley, Donovan Smith 
Tennessee Titans (2): Jack Crawford, DaQuan Jones
Washington Football Team (1): Troy Apke 

Nittany Lions On NFL Coaching Staffs
Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers Head Coach
Tom Bradley – Pittsburgh Steelers DBs Coach
Bobby Engram – Baltimore Ravens TEs Coach
Al Golden – Cincinnati Bengals LBs Coach
D’Anton Lynn – Houston Texans Secondary Coach
Mike Munchak – Denver Broncos OL Coach
Jeff Nixon – Carolina Panthers Senior Offensive Assistant

10.28.20
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Penn Staters At The Next Level: Week 7

After a few weeks out of the spotlight with an injury, Chris Godwin returned to form with an excellent performance for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He leads off our Penn Staters At The Next Level recap for Week 7. 

Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Photo By Steve Manuel

Godwin looks to be the favorite target of quarterback Tom Brady among all the impressive offensive weapons at his disposal. 

Brady targeted Godwin a team-high nine times in Sunday’s 45-20 when over the Oakland — check that, I mean Las Vegas — Raiders. Godwin caught all nine of his targets for 88 yards, including this tip-toed touchdown reception to put the Bucs up by double digits in the fourth quarter. 

The only bad news from Godwin’s performance is that he suffered an injury to his index finger and underwent surgery on Tuesday.

He will miss his team’s Monday Night matchup against the New York Giants in Week 8, but there’s a possibility he returns to the lineup in Week 9. 

Adrian Amos, S, Green Bay Packers

Photo By Steve Manuel

As I mentioned earlier in the season, Amos seems to be the leader of the Packers’ secondary and had another strong showing in Green Bay’s 35-20 win over the Texans. 

Amos notched six tackles and his first sack of the season against Houston, as the Packers rebounded from their first loss of the season a week ago. 

Kevin Givens, DL, San Francisco 49ers

Photo By Steve Manuel

That had to feel good! Givens recorded his first career sack as a pro, taking down Patriots backup QB Jarret Stidham late in the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ dominant road win over New England.

It might have been a garbage time sack, but hey, they all count the same in the record book.

With San Francisco dealing with a ton of injuries to their defensive line, Givens has seen more and more playing time this season. 

Nittany Lions In The NFL
Baltimore Ravens (1): Trace McSorley
Buffalo Bills (1): Ryan Bates
Carolina Panthers (2): Yetur Gross-Matos, Shareef Miller 
Chicago Bears (2): Jordan Lucas, Allen Robinson II
Dallas Cowboys (2): Sean Lee, Connor McGovern
Denver Broncos (2): DaeSean Hamilton, KJ Hamler 
Detroit Lions (3): Jason Cabinda, Jesse James, Amani Oruwariye
Green Bay Packers (1): Adrian Amos 
Houston Texans (1): John Reid 
Indianapolis Colts (1): Robert Windsor 
Las Vegas Raiders (2): Nick Bowers, Carl Nassib
Los Angeles Rams (1): Nick Scott
Miami Dolphins (1): Mike Gesicki
Minnesota Vikings (1): Dan Chisena 
New Orleans Saints (1): Blake Gillikin 
New York Giants (3): Saquon Barkley, Cam Brown, Austin Johnson
New York Jets (1): Sam Ficken, Chris Hogan, Ross Travis
Philadelphia Eagles (2): Miles Sanders, Trevor Williams, Shareef Miller
Pittsburgh Steelers (1): Marcus Allen, Stefen Wisniewski 
San Francisco 49ers (2): Kevin Givens, Robbie Gould 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3): Chris Godwin, A.Q. Shipley, Donovan Smith 
Tennessee Titans (2): Jack Crawford, DaQuan Jones
Washington Football Team (1): Troy Apke 

Nittany Lions On NFL Coaching Staffs
Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers Head Coach
Tom Bradley – Pittsburgh Steelers DBs Coach
Bobby Engram – Baltimore Ravens TEs Coach
Al Golden – Cincinnati Bengals LBs Coach
D’Anton Lynn – Houston Texans Secondary Coach
Mike Munchak – Denver Broncos OL Coach
Jeff Nixon – Carolina Panthers Senior Offensive Assistant

10.21.20
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FROM THE ARCHIVES: PENN STATE V. INDIANA (2016)

Trailing 24-21 entering the 4th quarter, the 2016 Penn State Football team did what they always seemed to do that season: they mounted a comeback. 

Editor of The Football Letter John Black ’62  said it best after the game in The Letter.

“After a scare by a dangerous but erratic Indiana team Saturday, Penn State’s 2016 Cinderella season continued with the Nittany Lions’ sixth consecutive Big Ten Conference win,” Black wrote.

With a win and a Michigan loss at Iowa later that evening, the Nittany Lions would find themselves in an improbable three-way tie atop the Big Ten East standings with the Wolverines and Ohio State. 

Improbable because of how Penn State started its campaign at 2-2 with a heartbreaking defeat at Pitt in Week 2 followed by a thumping in ‘The Big House’ in two weeks later. 

The Nittany Lions had shown in their previous five games before their matchup with the Hoosiers, however, that they had come a long way since those early season struggles. 

To get the comeback started at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, then-offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead went into his bag of tricks with the Lions near the Hoosiers’ end zone. Quarterback Trace McSorley handed the ball off to Saquon Barkley only to have Barkley turn around and pitch it back to McSorley for a flea flicker.

Photo By Steve Manuel

McSorley connected with DaeSean Hamilton for a 54-yard strike and the potent offensive attack for Penn State was rolling once again. 

Another Indiana score on its next possession gave them back the lead.

A 7-play, 57-yard drive was capped off by two determined runs from Barkley and put Penn State ahead once more at 35-31 with just over four minutes to go. 

After a fourth-down stop by the Penn State defense resulted in a Tyler Davis field goal for the blue and white, the Hoosiers became desperate. 

Dropping back to pass on his own side of the field, IU quarterback Richard Lagow was smacked by a rushing Brandon Bell and the ball popped free.

There to scoop it up was defensive end Torrence Brown who barely stayed on his feet and drove into the end zone to put the Nittany Lions up 14 with less than a minute to go and effectively put the game on ice. 

The win marked the first time Penn State had won six-consecutive Big Ten games in the same season since 1994. 

Photo By Steve Manuel

James Franklin said afterward as Black reflected in the Football Letter, “We didn’t panic. Our defense kept us in the game, and we found a different way to win on the road. That’s an important trait for a young team still under development.”

Michigan would indeed fall in defeat at Iowa later that evening to put the Lions in a tie for first in their division.

As Black noted after the game, “Penn State will have more opportunities to make this season even more memorable than it already is.” 

Safe to say, a Big Ten Championship title later, the Nittany Lions came through on those opportunities.

10.20.20
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Penn Staters At The Next Level: Week 6

While Miles Sanders makes his return to our Penn Staters At The Next Level series for Week 6, we also highlight two new faces in Amani Oruwariye and DaQuan Jones. 

Amani Oruwariye, CB, Detroit Lions

Oruwariye continues to improve and has become a steady presence in a Lions secondary that badly needed some consistent performers. 

He was tasked with locking down Jaguars star DJ Chark Jr. and was well up to the challenge, holding the wide receiver to just 43 yards on a game-high 14 targets. 

Oruwariye also recorded two tackles and two passes defended as the Lions improved to 2-3 on the season following a bye week in Week 5. 

Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Photo By Steve Manuel

For the first time this season, Sanders rushed for over 100 yards as Philadelphia nearly pulled off an incredible comeback over the Baltimore Ravens. 

His 74-yard rush in the third quarter saw Sanders fumble near the goal line but the ball was recovered in the end zone by teammate JJ Arcega-Whiteside for an Eagles touchdown. 

Unfortunately for Sanders, he left the game with a knee injury and did not return. The Eagles have already announced he will miss the team’s Thursday Night Football clash against the Giants in Week 7. 

DaQuan Jones, DL, Tennessee Titans

Photo By Steve Manuel

In his return to action after testing positive for COVID-19 a few weeks ago, Jones sacked Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and notched another four tackles.

Now that’s how you mark your comeback into the lineup. 

The Titans remained undefeated on the season by defeating Houston in a 42-36 thriller. 

Nittany Lions In The NFL
Baltimore Ravens (1): Trace McSorley
Buffalo Bills (1): Ryan Bates
Carolina Panthers (2): Yetur Gross-Matos, Shareef Miller 
Chicago Bears (2): Jordan Lucas, Allen Robinson II
Dallas Cowboys (2): Sean Lee, Connor McGovern
Denver Broncos (2): DaeSean Hamilton, KJ Hamler 
Detroit Lions (3): Jason Cabinda, Jesse James, Amani Oruwariye
Green Bay Packers (1): Adrian Amos 
Houston Texans (1): John Reid 
Indianapolis Colts (1): Robert Windsor 
Las Vegas Raiders (2): Nick Bowers, Carl Nassib
Los Angeles Rams (1): Nick Scott
Miami Dolphins (1): Mike Gesicki
Minnesota Vikings (1): Dan Chisena 
New Orleans Saints (1): Blake Gillikin 
New York Giants (3): Saquon Barkley, Cam Brown, Austin Johnson
New York Jets (1): Sam Ficken, Chris Hogan, Ross Travis
Philadelphia Eagles (2): Miles Sanders, Trevor Williams, Shareef Miller
Pittsburgh Steelers (1): Marcus Allen, Stefen Wisniewski 
San Francisco 49ers (2): Kevin Givens, Robbie Gould 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3): Chris Godwin, A.Q. Shipley, Donovan Smith 
Tennessee Titans (2): Jack Crawford, DaQuan Jones
Washington Football Team (1): Troy Apke 

Nittany Lions On NFL Coaching Staffs
Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers Head Coach
Tom Bradley – Pittsburgh Steelers DBs Coach
Bobby Engram – Baltimore Ravens TEs Coach
Al Golden – Cincinnati Bengals LBs Coach
D’Anton Lynn – Houston Texans Secondary Coach
Mike Munchak – Denver Broncos OL Coach
Jeff Nixon – Carolina Panthers Senior Offensive Assistant

10.14.20
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Penn Staters At The Next Level: Week 5

It was another impressive performance from Allen Robinson II, while Miles Sanders starred in his homecoming.

Here were this week’s standout Nittany Lion performers in the NFL for Week 5.

Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Despite his team’s loss to the Steelers in the battle of Pennsylvania’s two teams, Sanders had a productive outing in his return to his native Pittsburgh.

Sanders collected his career-long rush with a 74-yard gallop to the end zone in the first quarter.

He posted a second touchdown midway through the second quarter by powering through a few defenders at the goal line to tie the score at 14. 

Sanders leads the Eagles in rushing yards with 316 on the season.

Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins

Photo By Steven Manuel

Speaking of career longs, Gesicki posted his longest NFL catch to date with a 70-yard catch on a beautifully run route against the 49ers.

Gesicki was tabbed by many to be a breakout player at the tight end position this season and he has not disappointed. He seems to be getting better each week and has developed a great rapport with Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

The former Penn State star is second on the team in receptions (18) and yards (281) this season. He’s also found the end zone twice.  

Allen Robinson II, WR, Chicago Bears

Photo By Steve Manuel

In a weekend full of upsets, Robinson II and the Chicago Bears got the party started on Thursday night football in a 20-19 upset over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

He was Nick Foles’ favorite target in the win, snagging 10 catches on 16 targets for 90 yards.

Robinson II currently sits sixth in the league with 35 receptions and eighth in receiving yards with 421. 

Not bad for a receiver playing for an offense that has struggled to move the ball with consistency early this season. 

Nittany Lions In The NFL
Baltimore Ravens (1): Trace McSorley
Buffalo Bills (1): Ryan Bates
Carolina Panthers (2): Yetur Gross-Matos, Shareef Miller 
Chicago Bears (2): Jordan Lucas, Allen Robinson II
Dallas Cowboys (2): Sean Lee, Connor McGovern
Denver Broncos (2): DaeSean Hamilton, KJ Hamler 
Detroit Lions (3): Jason Cabinda, Jesse James, Amani Oruwariye
Green Bay Packers (1): Adrian Amos 
Houston Texans (1): John Reid 
Indianapolis Colts (1): Robert Windsor 
Las Vegas Raiders (2): Nick Bowers, Carl Nassib
Los Angeles Rams (1): Nick Scott
Miami Dolphins (1): Mike Gesicki
Minnesota Vikings (1): Dan Chisena 
New Orleans Saints (1): Blake Gillikin 
New York Giants (3): Saquon Barkley, Cam Brown, Austin Johnson
New York Jets (1): Sam Ficken, Chris Hogan, Ross Travis
Philadelphia Eagles (2): Miles Sanders, Trevor Williams 
Pittsburgh Steelers (1): Marcus Allen, Stefen Wisniewski 
San Francisco 49ers (2): Kevin Givens, Robbie Gould 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3): Chris Godwin, A.Q. Shipley, Donovan Smith 
Tennessee Titans (2): Jack Crawford, DaQuan Jones
Washington Football Team (1): Troy Apke 

Nittany Lions On NFL Coaching Staffs
Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers Head Coach
Tom Bradley – Pittsburgh Steelers DBs Coach
Bobby Engram – Baltimore Ravens TEs Coach
Al Golden – Cincinnati Bengals LBs Coach
D’Anton Lynn – Houston Texans Secondary Coach
Mike Munchak – Denver Broncos OL Coach
Jeff Nixon – Carolina Panthers Senior Offensive Assistant

10.07.20
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Penn Staters At The Next Level: Week 4

Penn State’s defensive line has been among the best units in the country in recent years. 

On Sunday, one former member of the “Wild Dogs” made his opening mark in the NFL. 

Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Carolina Panthers

Gross-Matos has been working through a minor injury early this season and had struggled to make an impact through the first three weeks.

But he flashed his potential in the Panthers’ upset win over the Cardinals on Sunday. 

YGM came up with a big sack/forced fumble in the third quarter with Arizona driving into Carolina territory, displaying a great burst off the edge to blow by Cardinals left tackle D.J. Humphries.

He would finish the game with that sack/fumble and three total tackles. 

Sam Ficken, K, New York Jets

Photo by Steve Manuel


Look, the New York Jets aren’t very good. They’re probably the worst team in the league and look a safe bet to pick No. 1 in the NFL Draft next spring.

One glimmer of positivity for the Jets, however, is former Nittany Lion place kicker Sam Ficken.

Ficken made all five of his field goal attempts — including a season-long boot of 54-yards — and his lone extra point try. 

He nailed a 36-yard attempt in the 4th quarter to give his team a 28-27 before the Jets collapsed late in the game. 

Donovan Smith, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Photo By Steve Manuel

Donovan Smith anchored the left side of the Tampa Bay offensive line as the group protected QB Tom Brady almost perfectly on Sunday.

The Buccaneers offense put up 484 yards of total offense in a 38-31 win over the Chargers and Brady stayed clean in the pocket.

The Chargers defensive line, one of the better pass-rushing groups in the league, didn’t bring down Brady for a single sack thanks to Smith and his teammates up front. 

After an up-and-down first few games, Smith and the rest of Tampa’s offense is starting to gel, even with injuries to former Nittany Lion Chris Godwin and Leonard Fournette. 

Allen Robinson II, WR, Chicago Bears

We normally only highlight three Nittany Lions who had a standout week in the NFL, but Robinson II made that impossible. 

He’s now featured in our NFL recap three out of the first four weeks of the season. 

While Chicago’s offense was stagnant for much of the afternoon in its loss to Indianapolis, Robinson shined once more. 

ARob led his team in receiving yards again with 101 yards on seven receptions, marking his second-straight 100-yard game. 


He made a trademark leaping grab over a Colts defender late in the fourth quarter to give him his second touchdown grab of the season. 

Nittany Lions In The NFL
Baltimore Ravens (1): Trace McSorley
Buffalo Bills (1): Ryan Bates
Carolina Panthers (2): Yetur Gross-Matos
Chicago Bears (2): Jordan Lucas, Allen Robinson II
Dallas Cowboys (2): Sean Lee, Connor McGovern
Denver Broncos (2): DaeSean Hamilton, KJ Hamler 
Detroit Lions (3): Jason Cabinda, Jesse James, Amani Oruwariye
Green Bay Packers (1): Adrian Amos 
Houston Texans (1): John Reid 
Indianapolis Colts (1): Robert Windsor 
Las Vegas Raiders (2): Nick Bowers, Carl Nassib
Los Angeles Rams (1): Nick Scott
Miami Dolphins (1): Mike Gesicki
Minnesota Vikings (1): Dan Chisena 
New Orleans Saints (1): Blake Gillikin 
New York Giants (3): Saquon Barkley, Cam Brown, Austin Johnson
New York Jets (1): Sam Ficken, Chris Hogan, Ross Travis
Philadelphia Eagles (2): Miles Sanders, Trevor Williams 
Pittsburgh Steelers (1): Marcus Allen, Stefen Wisniewski 
San Francisco 49ers (2): Kevin Givens, Robbie Gould 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3): Chris Godwin, A.Q. Shipley, Donovan Smith 
Tennessee Titans (2): Jack Crawford, DaQuan Jones
Washington Football Team (1): Troy Apke 

Nittany Lions On NFL Coaching Staffs
Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers Head Coach
Tom Bradley – Pittsburgh Steelers DBs Coach
Bobby Engram – Baltimore Ravens TEs Coach
Al Golden – Cincinnati Bengals LBs Coach
D’Anton Lynn – Houston Texans Secondary Coach
Mike Munchak – Denver Broncos OL Coach
Jeff Nixon – Carolina Panthers Senior Offensive Assistant

09.29.20
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Penn Staters At The Next Level: Week 3

From Allen Robinson II muscling through defenders to help the Chicago Bears complete another crazy comeback to Jesse James’ first touchdown for the Detroit Lions, it was another productive day for Penn Staters in the NFL.

Let’s take a look at some of the standout Sunday Nittany Lions. 

Allen Robinson II, WR, Chicago Bears
There’s been a fair amount of trade speculation with Robinson II in recent weeks, but that hasn’t affected his performances at all. He leads Chicago in targets, receptions and receiving yards.

He didn’t skip a beat as the Bears transitioned from Mitchell Trubisky to Nick Foles midway through Chicago’s matchup with the Falcons on Sunday. Foles connected with Robinson for a big 37-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to continue the Bears’ comeback. 

Robinson II finished with 10 catches for a 123 yards as Chicago pulled off the 26-23 win to become one of the more surprising 3-0 teams in the league. 

Trip Down Memory Lane: Robinson outmuscles Ohio State defender for leaping grab. 

Photo Credit: Steve Manuel

Adrian Amos, S, Green Bay Packers
Amos continues to be one of the leaders in the Green Bay secondary and despite New Orleans putting up 30 points on Sunday, the defense did enough to give the Packers a road win on Sunday Night Football.

With Aaron Rodgers playing at a terrific level, the Packers defense merely has to hold their own against opposing offenses. 

Amos recorded five tackles in Green Bay’s  37-30 win. 

Trip Down Memory Lane: Amos has impressive day against Ohio State in 2013. 

Photo Credit: Steve Manuel

TE Jesse James and FB Jason Cabinda, Detroit Lions
Cabinda has made the move from linebacker to fullback this season and its resulted in a significant increase in playing time for the Lions.

Cabinda’s sound blocking on this touchdown allowed fellow former Nittany Lion Jesse James to score his first touchdown with Detroit. 

Photo Credit: Steve Manuel

The Lions pulled off the eventual upset over the Cardinals 26-23. 

Trip Down Memory Lane: James tiptoes down the sideline for the score against Nebraska.

09.22.20
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Penn Staters At The Next Level: Week 2

Photo Credit: Steve Manuel

We start this week’s Penn Staters At The Next Level blog sending our best to Saquon Barkley. 

Barkley left the New York Giants’ loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday with a knee injury and it was confirmed yesterday that he had torn his ACL.

Like everything Saquon does, we know he’ll attack rehab with everything he’s got. We hope he can come back better than ever and we look forward to seeing him star on Sundays again soon. 

With that being said, let’s highlight which Penn Staters stood out in Week 2 of the NFL season. 

Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins
Following a strong finish to his sophomore campaign in 2019, Gesicki was a popular candidate to have a breakout season at the tight end position. After a quiet first week, Gesicki exploded in Week 2, putting up 130 yards on eight receptions. 

Photo Credit: Steve Manuel

He became just the eighth tight end in Dolphins history to record a 100-yard game and broke a franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end in a single game. 

He might have also had the catch of the season with this grab in the third quarter. 

Trip Down Memory Lane: Gesicki goes up high for a one-handed catch against Temple. 

KJ Hamler, WR, Denver Broncos
Hamler missed Week 1 of the season with an injury, but flashed why the Broncos drafted him in the second round of the draft against the Steelers on Sunday. He snagged three passes for 48 yards and also carried the ball once for nine yards.

Photo Credit: Steve Manuel

With Courtland Sutton out for the year with a torn ACL, Hamler’s role within Denver’s offense is sure to expand as the season develops. 

It was also nice to see a Nittany Lion reunion of sorts after the Steelers-Broncos game, when Hamler, DaeSean Hamilton and Marcus Allen caught up with one another and grabbed a photo together. 

Trip Down Memory Lane: KJ embarrasses Maryland defense on his way to the end zone. 

Photo Credit: Steve Manuel

Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
While the Eagles’ early season struggles continued, Sanders’ return to the lineup provided Philadelphia’s ground game a needed boost. Sanders carried the ball 20 times for 95 yards and a touchdown, and also recorded three receptions for 36 yards.  

Look for him to have another big day in Week 3 against a Cincinnati Bengals defense that gave up 215 yards rushing to the Cleveland Browns this past Thursday. 

Trip Down Memory Lane: Miles won’t be denied a score vs. Illinois.

09.15.20
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Penn Staters At The Next Level: Week 1

Forty Penn Staters hold places on NFL rosters to start the 2020 season, which is good for fifth most in the nation. 

That’s also the most Nittany Lions on NFL rosters on opening weekend since at least 2006. 

Here’s a quick rundown of the standout performers from Week 1 and check the end of this blog for the full list of Penn Staters playing and coaching at the next level.

Allen Robinson II, WR, Chicago Bears 

A-Rob had a fruitful opening day performance in the Bears’ comeback win over the Detroit Lions. Robinson II posted five receptions for 74 yards, including this excellent grab to put his team in the red zone late in the third quarter. 

Feel like we’ve seen a catch or two like that before from him.

Trip Down Memory Lane: Allen Robinson II hauls in big pass in 4-OT win over Michigan in 2013. 

Allen Robinson outleaps defensive back to haul in 36-yard pass in final seconds to set up Lions’ final touchdown in regulation time – Steve Manuel/The Football Letter

Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Godwin was targeted a team-high seven times by Tampa Bay’s new quarterback Tom Brady and recorded six catches for 79 yards. Big things are expected from Godwin this season after a breakout 2019 campaign, and Week 1 did little to diminish that. As he and Brady continue to develop their rapport, expect Godwin’s statlines to only get bigger and better. 

Trip Down Memory Lane: Chris Godwin goes off for monster performance in Rose Bowl. 

Chris Godwin had a record-setting showing in the 2017 Rose Bowl Game – Steve Manuel/The Football Letter

John Reid, CB, Houston Texans

While the Texans fell to the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on opening night, Reid made a strong impression in his first career game. Reid finished fourth on the team with six tackles and was credited with a quarterback pressure when sent on a blitz from the secondary. 
Trip Down Memory Lane: John Reid’s pick-six fuels big second half for Penn State against Buffalo.

John Reid provided turning a point in the game with his pick-six early in third quarter – Steve Manuel/The Football Letter

Nittany Lions In The NFL
Baltimore Ravens (1): Trace McSorley
Buffalo Bills (1): Ryan Bates
Carolina Panthers (2): Yetur Gross-Matos, Shareef Miller 
Chicago Bears (2): Jordan Lucas, Allen Robinson II
Dallas Cowboys (2): Sean Lee, Connor McGovern
Denver Broncos (2): DaeSean Hamilton, KJ Hamler 
Detroit Lions (3): Jason Cabinda, Jesse James, Amani Oruwariye
Green Bay Packers (1): Adrian Amos 
Houston Texans (1): John Reid 
Indianapolis Colts (1): Robert Windsor 
Las Vegas Raiders (2): Nick Bowers, Carl Nassib
Los Angeles Rams (1): Nick Scott
Miami Dolphins (1): Mike Gesicki
Minnesota Vikings (1): Dan Chisena 
New Orleans Saints (1): Blake Gillikin 
New York Giants (3): Saquon Barkley, Cam Brown, Austin Johnson
New York Jets (1): Sam Ficken, Chris Hogan, Ross Travis
Philadelphia Eagles (2): Miles Sanders, Trevor Williams 
Pittsburgh Steelers (1): Marcus Allen, Stefen Wisniewski 
San Francisco 49ers (2): Kevin Givens, Robbie Gould 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3): Chris Godwin, A.Q. Shipley, Donovan Smith 
Tennessee Titans (2): Jack Crawford, DaQuan Jones
Washington Football Team (1): Troy Apke 

Safety Troy Apke brings down Buckeye receiver K.J. Hill – Steve Manuel/The Football Letter

Nittany Lions On NFL Coaching Staffs
Matt Rhule – Carolina Panthers Head Coach
Tom Bradley – Pittsburgh Steelers DBs Coach
Bobby Engram – Baltimore Ravens TEs Coach
Al Golden – Cincinnati Bengals LBs Coach
D’Anton Lynn – Houston Texans Secondary Coach
Mike Munchak – Denver Broncos OL Coach
Jeff Nixon – Carolina Panthers Senior Offensive Assistant
Bill O’Brien (Head Coach 2012-13) – Houston Texans Head Coach

03.13.20
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The Significance of Sports

In the grand scheme of life, sports might be pretty insignificant. Then again, they’re very significant. 

In challenging times, sports have always been there to provide a sense of hope for me. A sense that however bad things might be in “the real world,” at least I’ve got a sport to play or a sport to watch. I’d imagine that’s the way it is for a lot of people around the country. 

As the difficult circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 virus continue and more sports leagues — professional and amateur — continue to suspend, postpone or cancel their season, it’s hard to fathom that sports, at least for a little while, won’t be there to help us get through the tough times. 

When news broke yesterday that the NCAA was canceling all of its remaining winter and spring sports — including the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments — I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sadness.

It was a tough decision, but probably the right decision. The seriousness of this pandemic, obviously, takes precedent. The health of the public is always going to be the top priority. 

That doesn’t make the pause on sports easier to stomach. 

I’m sad, above all, for the players, particularly senior student-athletes who will miss out on a proper conclusion to their college careers — for many of them, their athletic careers as a whole. 

As someone who was an athlete in high school, the end of my playing days were tough to take, but at the very least I got to end it on the basketball court and in the locker room with my teammates. 

It’s unfortunate, unfair really, that players like Lamar Stevens won’t get the ending they deserve. 

“I was really hurt,” Stevens said on a podcast earlier today with college basketball analyst, Jeff Goodman. “Being a senior, being a guy who hasn’t made the tournament in the previous three years and knowing that it was going to be a reality this year.”

Stevens ends his time in Happy Valley just seven points shy of passing Talor Battle to become the program’s all-time leading scorer, a feat he would have undoubtedly passed in the team’s scheduled Big Ten Tournament game against Indiana. 

“Not having any control over it was tough,” Stevens continued on Goodman’s podcast. “Being seven points away from becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer, my heart broke, honestly. I felt like I gave everything I had for this program and this school to get to that point.”

“I wanted to experience that with my teammates and our coaches. Have the Penn State community rally around us for something we haven’t done for nine years. I had a lot of excitement for that. It was something I was really proud of. To see it all end this way, it really hurts.”

As Stevens alluded to, he and the rest of the team miss out on hearing Penn State’s name pop up on CBS on Selection Sunday. The signal that the program’s near decade-long NCAA Tournament drought would be over. 

I think about senior members of the Penn State Wrestling team — the moments that Vincenzo Joseph and Mark Hall delivered on the mat in Rec Hall or at the Big Ten Championships or at the NCAA Championships. 

Joseph leaves a two-time NCAA Champion and three-time NCAA finalist. His thrilling upset as a freshman over No. 1 ranked Isaiah Martinez in 2017 ( he pinned the heavily favored Illini wrestler) is a signature moment in the already storied history of Penn State Wrestling. 

Hall ends his career a three-time Big Ten Champion, three-time NCAA finalist and the 2017 NCAA National Champion at 174 pounds. 

They both miss out on their shots to become national champions once more in 2020. 

There are senior members of the Penn State Men’s Hockey team, who have helped turn the program from Division I upstart to a Big Ten contender. 

Senior Liam Folkes delivered perhaps the greatest moment in the team’s young history. In 2017, he scored the game-winning breakaway goal against Wisconsin in double overtime of the Big Ten Tournament title game. 

The 10-man senior class of Brandon Biro, Folkes, Blake Gober, James Gobetz, Will Holtfoster, Peyton Jones, Kris Myllari, Nikita Pavylchev, Denis Smirnov and Nate Sucese, at the very least ended their college careers by capturing the Big Ten regular season title. 

But they won’t get the chance to capture another tournament crown or compete for Penn State’s first Frozen Four appearance. 

Despite a few early losses, the Men’s Lacrosse team had the talent and firepower to get back to the Final Four and win a national championship. Seniors like Grant Ament, Dylan Foulds and Mac O’Keefe are robbed of that opportunity. 

There are names I didn’t mention from the other Penn State winter and spring sports. For the sake of time, I can’t highlight them all specifically here, but there’s no diminishing their impact. They all made their mark in Penn State history. 

We will go on. Sports at Penn State and across the globe will resume sometime in the future. 

For the time being, though, we must get through all of this without sports to provide us that joy, provide us the hope.

We won’t have the power of Stevens driving to the hoop for a basket or the energy of Hall driving his opponent to the mat for a fall to take us away from the struggles. 

More importantly, the players themselves won’t ever get those kinds of experiences again in a Penn State uniform. 

The grind of the countless hours, days and even years that they’ve put in for their sport. For many of them, the chance to compete for a conference or national championship is the culmination of all of that hard work. The reward for the effort. 

It didn’t end on their terms. 

That’s the hardest part to swallow. The abrupt finality of it all. A tough way to be reminded of the significance of sports in difficult times.