Lions in the League: How former Penn State football players fared in Week 1 of NFL action
Week 1 of the NFL season has come to a conclusion, and it saw plenty of former Nittany Lions in action. There were 17 former Penn State football players who recorded stats in their team’s first game of the season.
Let’s take a look at how the former Nittany Lions performed in their 2020 debuts.
Adrian Amos, S, Green Bay Packers
Amos started for the Packers in their 43-34 victory over division rival Minnesota. The former Nittany Lion recorded two tackles in the game.
Troy Apke, S, Washington Football Team
Apke started and set a career high with eight tackles — half of which were solo — tying him for the team lead in Washington’s 27-17 comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
Barkley struggled to get going on the ground for the Giants, finishing with 15 carries for six yards. New York’s run blocking didn’t do him any favors, but he was able to get going as a receiver, finishing the game with six catches for 60 yards in the Giants’ 26-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Sam Ficken, K, New York Jets
Ficken made a 31-yard field goal and two extra points in the Jets’ 27-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins
Gesicki was the Dolphins’ starter at tight end in their 21-11 loss to the New England Patriots. He was targeted five times and caught three passes for 30 yards in the game.
Kevin Givens, DT, San Francisco 49ers
Givens registered one tackle in San Francisco’s 24-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Godwin was Tom Brady’s favorite target in Tampa Bay’s 34-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He had seven passes thrown his way, hauling in six of them for 79 yards, while adding a tackle after Brady threw an interception.
Robbie Gould, K, San Francisco 49ers
Gould made two field goal attempts in San Francisco’s 24-20 loss to Arizona. He hit from 52 and 24 yards out while also making both of his extra point attempts.
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Carolina Panthers
Gross-Matos made his NFL debut Sunday in Carolina’s 34-30 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. He recorded an assisted tackle in the game.
DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Denver Broncos
Hamilton was targeted three times in Denver’s 16-14 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football. He hauled in one of those targets for 18 yards
DaQuan Jones, DE, Tennessee Titans
Jones made two tackles — one solo and one assisted — in Tennessee’s 16-14 win over Denver.
Carl Nassib, DE, Las Vegas Raiders
Nassib tallied a half sack to go with two tackles in Las Vegas’ 34-30 win over Carolina. He added two quarterback hits in the game.
Amani Oruwariye, CB, Detroit Lions
Oruwariye finished Sunday’s game with four solo tackles in the Lions’ 27-23 loss to the Chicago Bears.
John Reid, CB, Houston Texans
Reid played on defense and special teams in Houston’s 34-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Thursday’s season opener. He recorded six tackles in the game.
Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears
Robinson led the Bears in targets in their 27-23 victory over the Lions. He finished the game with five receptions for 72 yards on nine targets.
Donovan Smith, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Smith started at tackle for the Buccaneers in their 34-23 loss to the Saints.
Stefen Wisniewski, OG, Pittsburgh Steelers
Wisniewski started in the Steelers’ 26-16 victory over the Giants. He left the game in the fourth quarter due to injury.
