Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1486024
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 6 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Luketa made his first career tackle in Week 7 against New Orleans, then played sparingly in Weeks 8 and 9. He has been inactive for every game since. Connor McGovern (2016-18), OL, Dallas Cowboys: McGovern continues to perform at a high level while playing nearly every snap every week for the Cow- boys. He's allowed only 13 quarterback pressures this season and has given up just 1 sack. Trace McSorley (2014-18), QB, Arizona Cardinals: McSorley played for the first time since opening day in a Week 11 matchup against San Francisco. He com- pleted 6 of 10 passes for 59 yards but also threw an interception late in the Cardinals' 38-10 loss. Carl Nassib (2011-15), DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nassib played a bit more frequently in November, but he's still only seeing about 30 percent of the Buc- caneers' defensive snaps. He had 3 tackles in a Week 11 loss to Cleveland and now has 18 for the season. Amani Oruwariye (2014-18), CB, Detroit Lions: Oruwariye's usage has been up and down of late. He played on 58 percent of the Lions' defensive snaps and had 2 tackles in a Week 10 win over the New York Giants. In Week 11, he only played 30 percent of the defensive snaps but still netted 2 stops. Odafe Oweh (2018-20), DE, Baltimore Ravens: Oweh had no counting stats in a 28-27 loss to Jack- sonville in Week 12. He only netted 3 tackles and no sacks in November. Oweh has 30 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery so far this season. Micah Parsons (2018-2019), LB, Dallas Cowboys: Parsons is having an MVP-caliber season. During a Thanksgiving Day win over the Giants, he had 3 tack- les (2 for loss) and 2 sacks. He affects each game in more ways than any defensive player in the league. For the season, Parsons has 50 tackles, 12 sacks and 21 quarterback hits. John Reid (2015-19), CB, Atlanta Falcons: After be- ing released by Seattle in October, Reid was signed to the Falcons' practice squad on Nov. 22. Allen Robinson II (2011-2013), WR, Los Angeles Rams: Robinson's season is over. Rams coach Sean McVay announced Nov. 27 that the veteran receiver is having foot surgery. He ends his first season in Los Angeles with 33 catches for 339 yards and 3 touchdowns. Miles Sanders (2016-18), RB, Philadelphia Eagles: Sanders enjoyed his best day as a pro when the first- place Eagles faced Green Bay in Week 11. He carried 21 times for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns in Philly's 40-33 victory. Sanders now has 900 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on the season. Nick Scott (2014-18), S, Los Angeles Rams: Scott has played every defensive snap in the Rams' past seven games. He had an interception in a Week 11 loss to Kansas City. For the year, he's netted 56 tackles and 2 picks. Brandon Smith (2019-21), LB, Carolina Panthers: Smith has mostly played special teams during his rookie season with the Panthers. He has 7 tackles through Carolina's first 12 games. Donovan Smith (2011-14), OT, Tampa Bay Bucca- neers: Smith continues to serve as the Buccaneers' starting left tackle, where he takes 100 percent of the team's offensive snaps. He's only allowed 3 sacks over the past four weeks and just 6 this season. Jordan Stout (2019-21), P, Baltimore Ravens: Stout has had a fine season as the Ravens' punter, averag- ing 46.5 yards per attempt. Derrick Tangelo (2021), DT, Atlanta Falcons: Tan- gelo continues to be part of the Falcons' practice squad and has yet to be active for a game day. Shaka Toney (2016-20), DE, Washington Com- manders: Toney has a big special teams role for the Commanders and has recorded 7 tackles on the sea- son. Rasheed Walker (2018-21), OT, Green Bay Packers: Walker has been on the healthy inactive list for every game so far this season. ■ Nate Bauer, Thomas Frank Carr and Greg Pickel contributed to this report. PSU Connection Helps Lift Portland To NWSL Championship Two former Nittany Lions won championships in October with the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League. The Thorns defeated the Kansas City Current 2-0 in the title game on Oct. 29 in Washington, D.C., and former Lions Sam Coffey and Rocky Rodriguez were a part of that victory. The two midfielders started the championship game, with Coffey playing all 90 minutes and Rodriguez 63 to help the Thorns claim their third league title. Rodriguez, who led Penn State to the NCAA championship as a senior in 2015, made 15 starts and totaled 3 goals for the Thorns this season. The last of those goals was the game-winner in a 2-1 vic- tory over the San Diego Wave in the NWSL semifinals. It was the first playoff goal of her seven-year pro career. Coffey, playing her first pro campaign, started 20 games and finished with 1 goal and 2 assists. She was a finalist for NWSL Rookie of the Year honors after a season in which she finished third on the team in minutes played (1,585). In early November, both Coffey and Rodriguez signed contract extensions with Portland through the 2025 season. — Matt Herb Penn State alumna Rocky Rodriguez scored the winning goal for the Portland Thorns in their victory over San Diego in the semifinal round of the NWSL playoffs. PHOTO COURTESY PORTLAND THORNS FC