ARLINGTON, Texas – After a 53-39 victory over the University of Memphis in the 84th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Penn State University sophomore linebacker Micah Parsons was awarded the McKnight Trophy for Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Parsons registered a game-high 14 tackles, tying him for fifth all-time in Penn State bowl game history.
 
The sophomore galvanized the Nittany Lions' defense with two sacks and a forced interception in the victory. By halftime, Parsons had already recorded 10 tackles for the contest. The sophomore made his presence known all afternoon in the Memphis backfield after forcing a pair of fumbles in the second period alone. He then capped his afternoon with a nine-yard sack in the fourth quarter.
 
After his monumental day, Parsons concludes the season with 109 tackles and 11 ten-plus tackle games this season. He has now racked up 192 career tackles after leading the Nittany Lions to an 11-2 overall record.