A spooky weekend of football saw many former Penn State football stars shine. Nittany Lions like Micah Parsons and Pat Freiermuth were just a few names who helped lead their teams to victory.

With nearly half of the year already complete, let’s take a look at how some Nittany Lions performed during week eight of the NFL season.

Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

Parsons continued to show the NFL that he is a legit Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate in the Cowboys’ 20-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. The Dallas linebacker had 11 total tackles (the most in his career so far), including four for a loss. Even crazier? Parsons is the first rookie to rack up 10 solo tackles and four TFLs in a game.

Dallas’s defense has improved very much this season largely due to Parsons’ rookie campaign. With a 6-1 record so far this season, the Cowboys are poised for a deep playoffs run thanks to Parsons’ efforts.

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh tight end had the catch of the week this past Sunday with a phenomenal game-winning two-yard touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter.

Freiermuth added on four receptions for 44 yards to go along with the impressive touchdown grab. The rookie has become a major factor in the Steelers’ offense ever since wideout Juju Smith-Schuster went down with an injury three weeks ago.

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It was another impressive week for the Tampa Bay wide receiver, as Godwin totaled 140 yards on eight receptions in the Buccaneers’ 36-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The former Penn State star also added a touchdown for the second week in a row.

Godwin led his team in receiving yards for the second week in a row, but it wasn’t enough to help Tampa Bay get the win.

Jesse James, Chicago Bears

After making his season debut last week, the former Penn State tight end caught his first touchdown of the season (and first in a Bears uniform) on Sunday,

James had 38 yards on three receptions to go along with this touchdown catch in a 33-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Yetur Gross-Matos, Carolina Panthers

The second-year defensive end had his best game of the 2021 season, picking up his first sack late in the fourth quarter in Carolina’s 19-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He also added three tackles, bringing his season total to nine.

Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins tight end had a quiet day for Miami in its 26-11 loss to the Buffalo Bills, totaling 48 yards on three receptions. Gesicki did, however, have a nice catch for a two-point conversion, but it wasn’t enough to help lead a comeback.

Other Notables

• New Orleans Saints punter Blake Gillikin had another great week and totaled 158 yards on three punts. Gillikin had one of those punts land inside the 20, helping the Saints win 36-27 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• Allen Robinson continued his struggles this season and totaled only three receptions for 21 yards in the Bears’ loss to the 49ers.
• Green Bay Packers safety Adrian Amos had a slow night on Thursday Night Football, totaling five tackles in the Packers’ 24-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
• Amani Oruwariye and the Detroit Lions had a long day in their 44-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Oruwariye had four tackles in the game to bring his season total up to 29.
• Los Angeles Rams safety Nick Scott recorded only two tackles in the Rams’ 38-22 win over the Houston Texans.
• Austin Johnson wasn’t much of a factor in the Giants’ 20-17 Monday night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, recording only two tackles.