The final Sunday of the NFL regular season was a banner day for some Penn State alums, with some big-time plays and milestones taking place around the league.
**QB Tommy Stevens made his NFL debut Sunday for the Carolina Panthers. He just signed on to the team’s active roster on Saturday. Stevens ran the wildcat and carried four times for 24 yards in a 33-7 loss to the Saints.
“It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid,” Stevens said after the game about playing in the NFL.
Ironically, Stevens made his debut against the team that drafted him, as he was selected in the seventh round of the 2020 draft by the Saints.
“It’s been a fun year. Obviously, I was glad to be able to get out there tonight and play. It’s been a long year, that’s for sure, and excited for the future and excited for what’s next,” Stevens said.
Stevens noted he knew after Wednesday’s practice that he probably was going to play in Sunday’s game.
“I’m excited for my future here. Since I’ve gotten here I’ve really enjoyed it,” he said.
Check out what else Stevens, who transferred from PSU to Mississippi State to close his college career, had to say after today’s game.
Tommy Stevens speaks to the media https://t.co/1w1LfqFFox
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 4, 2021
This is Stevens’ NFL journey thus far, from Panthers.com.
CHARLOTTE – The Panthers have signed quarterback Tommy Stevens to the active roster for Sunday’s season finale against New Orleans, the team announced on Saturday.
After playing quarterback at Penn State and then Mississippi State, Stevens was drafted as a tight end by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2020 Draft. He spent the first two months of the season on the New Orleans practice squad before being released and signed to Carolina’s practice squad where the Panthers listed him as a quarterback.
Sunday will mark his first game week on an active roster.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.In a corresponding move, the Panthers placed rookie cornerback Troy Pride Jr. on the reserve/injured list with a hip injury that he suffered at Green Bay in Week 15. Pride finished his season with 41 tackles and two pass deflections.
The Panthers elevated tackle Aaron Monteiro and linebacker Clay Johnston as standard COVID-19 elevations to provide depth on Sunday.
**WR Chris Godwin had a fantastic day in Tampa Bay’s 44-27 win over the Falcons. Godwin caught five passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Godwin finished the season with 65 catches for 850 yards and seven TDs in 12 games, and he’ll now head into the playoffs with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
That didn't take long, Tom Brady fires a 29-yard touchdown to Chris Godwin on the opening drive.pic.twitter.com/4Y9DFt7itI
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 3, 2021
That’s ✌️ for Chris Godwin! 🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/PjxYiSv5ga
— Onward State (@OnwardState) January 3, 2021
**CB Grant Haley recorded his first NFL interception for the New Orleans Saints, playing in his first game for the team, during the victory over the Panthers.
His FIRST GAME in a #Saints uniform 👏@haleyboy10 picks it off in the end zone!! #SAINTS | 📺: Fox pic.twitter.com/UTKw3Fg7TI
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 3, 2021
**S Adrian Amos had this big interception in the Packers’ 35-16 win over the Bears.
.@_SmashAmos31 with the INT!#GBvsCHI | #GoPackGo
📺 FOX
📱 https://t.co/2UxGSiVlvn pic.twitter.com/LcUgHVD28h— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 4, 2021
**WR Allen Robinson will be heading to the playoffs with the Bears, who just got into the field. Robinson caught two passes for 37 yards, giving him 102 receptions for 1250 yards and six TDs for the season. Robinson continues to be one of the best receivers in the NFL.
Most targets in NFL w/ only 1 drop:
1. Allen Robinson II – 145
2. DeAndre Hopkins – 144
3. Davante Adams – 140
4. Tyler Boyd – 105 pic.twitter.com/oVglg6uE1S— PFF (@PFF) January 2, 2021
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