Penn State Football: Grading Nittany Lions’ performance vs. Purdue
By Dylan Burd
![STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 05: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scrambles for a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 05: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions scrambles for a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/72ae725b396ccd48e404d191ea7a65b75accf04febac02ff4b7d8a9c0a5427b2.jpg)
A. . . . THE LINEBACKERS
The linebackers had a great day as well, as Micah Parsons led the way with five tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack, in his first game back since being ejected for targeting against Maryland.
Cam Brown and Jesse Luketa each had three tackles, while Ellis Brooks had two tackles. Late in the fourth quarter, true freshman Brandon Smith made an appearance and tallied four tackles in his limited time on the field.
The progression of this linebacker crew from last season to this season has been fun to watch, as each player returned and has made massive contributions to the defense this season. They’re a major part of the phenomenal Nittany Lions run defense.