While many former Penn State football stars were either on bye or injured this week, several other Nittany Lions shined bright throughout another slate of big-time NFL games.

Here’s a recap of how former Nittany Lions fared during week nine of the NFL season.

Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

What else can we say about Micah Parsons? The rookie pass rusher has been not only one of the best defensive rookies this season, but he’s also been one of the best defensive players across the NFL. Parsons continues to dominate in his first season and had his best game of the year Sunday.

Micah Parsons already has 2.5 sacks today for the @dallascowboys…and the third quarter is just getting started! pic.twitter.com/vX4biwN35g

— Onward State (@OnwardState) November 7, 2021

The linebacker totaled 2.5 sacks, the most in a single game this season. He now has five sacks this season and leads the Cowboys. To go along with the sacks, Parsons also had 10 tackles, three being tackles for loss, in Dallas’s 30-16 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins

Gesicki continues to be a shining light during the Dolphins’ rough season, and he is doing this with his amazing athletic abilities. Week after week, he continues to provide SportsCenter Top 10-worthy plays, and this week didn’t disappoint.

Too easy for Big Mike pic.twitter.com/G03YhR4qJV

— Onward State (@OnwardState) November 7, 2021

Guys, he did it again pic.twitter.com/zaqkON8hlx

— Onward State (@OnwardState) November 7, 2021

We’ve always known what the former Penn State tight end has been able to do, but these catches are incredible. Along with the catches of the week, Gesicki totaled four receptions for 54 yards in Miami’s 17-9 win over the Houston Texans.

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers

Speaking of great Penn State tight ends, Pat Freiermuth continued his recent surge with the Steelers and found the end zone twice on Monday Night Football.

Pat Freiermuth is cooking on Monday Night Football pic.twitter.com/aUYwGxOHEx

— Onward State (@OnwardState) November 9, 2021

Pat Freiermuth is a PROBLEM
pic.twitter.com/ziFqtyCmh1

— Onward State (@OnwardState) November 9, 2021

Freiermuth added five receptions for 43 yards along with two great touchdown catches in the Steelers’ 29-26 win over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.

Blake Gillikin, New Orleans Saints

Fresh off winning a well-deserved NFC Special Teams Player of the Month, Blake Gillikin had another solid week for the Saints in their loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

.@BlakeGillikin is THAT dude #WeAre #MadeInHappyValley pic.twitter.com/PY2RpASvnE

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) November 5, 2021

Gillikin had three punts totaling 122 yards, pinning one of them inside the 20-yard line.

Robbie Gould, San Francisco 49ers

After a groin injury sidelined Gould for five weeks, the former Penn State kicker returned for the 49ers on Sunday. Gould made all three kicks he attempted, including two extra points and a 26-yard field goal, in a 31-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears

While it still wasn’t a great game for the Bears wide receiver, Robinson totaled 68 receiving yards, the most in a game this season, on four receptions in Chicago’s 29-26 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday night.

Other Notables

• Austin Johnson had a solid game for the Giants on Sunday, recording four tackles in New Yorks’s 23-16 win over the Raiders.
• Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib totaled three tackles on Sunday to bring his season total up to 14.
• Green Bay’s Adrian Amos had a tough test against the Kansas City Chiefs offense this week and had only four tackles in a 13-7 loss.
• Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos recorded two tackles in a 24-6 loss to the New England Patriots.