Former Penn State safety Troy Apke was named the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl’s MVP on Saturday after helping the National team shut out the American team by a final score of 23-0.
He finished the game with a team-leading seven tackles and an interception, which he took for a 56-yard return. The Mount Lebanon, Pa. native was the only Nittany Lion to play in the Collegiate Bowl. It was a great showing for Apke to demonstrate why he deserves a shot at the NFL.
Your 2018 #NFLPABowl MVP @Traps_5 out of @PennStateFball. pic.twitter.com/rRgclUsX9X
— The Collegiate Bowl (@NFLPABowl) January 21, 2018
Eight other departing Nittany Lions booked their places in postseason all-star games where they will look to impress and boost their draft stock. Jason Cabinda, DaeSean Hamilton, Curtis Cothran, Parker Cothren, and Grant Haley represented the program for the East team in the East-West bowl on Saturday, while Marcus Allen, Mike Gesicki, and Christian Campbell will play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
The East team lost the East-West Bowl 14-10 in a tight, defensive affair; Cabinda, Cothran, Cothren, and Haley were all key cogs in the East’s strong defensive performance during the game.
Allen, Gesicki and Campbell will take the field on Jan. 27 when the Senior Bowl is broadcast on the NFL Network.
