3 things learned from Penn State's Cotton Bowl win over Memphis

Penn State concluded its season with a 53-39 victory over the Memphis Tigers on Saturday afternoon in the Cotton Bowl. Let’s look at what we learned as the Nittany Lions brought the 2019 season to a close.

1. Micah Parsons is one of the best players in the country

Penn State’s defense should be one of the best in the country again next year, with Parsons as its leader.

The sophomore was everywhere during the Cotton Bowl and had a remarkable first half. He finished the half with 10 total tackles — two for loss — two forced fumbles, a sack and a pass breakup. He also nearly picked off a pass, but the ball hit the ground. He finished the game with 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two sacks, two pass breakups and a quarterback hit.

Parsons is as elite as it gets when it comes to linebackers and is only a sophomore. His 2020 campaign should be one for the ages, and Penn State fans should try to enjoy it as much as they can. It’s likely his last as a Nittany Lion before he takes his immense talent to the NFL.

2. Kirk Ciarrocca has plenty to work with next season

The Penn State offense was as good as it has been all season Saturday. Interim play-caller Tyler Bowen called a near-perfect first half, leading the Nittany Lions to 35 points in the game’s first 30 minutes. He leaned heavily on what was working and used Penn State’s rushing depth to gash the Memphis defense.

Now that the game is over, Ciarrocca will take over as the team’s offensive coordinator and should be in a position to succeed next season. The former Minnesota offensive coordinator leaned heavily on the run game with the Golden Gophers and has the horses to do it in Happy Valley. Journey Brown, Noah Cain, Devyn Ford and Ricky Slade combined for 354 rushing yards in the Cotton Bowl.

Ciarrocca also had the weapons on the outside to make things happen in Minnesota, and he should have them at Penn State as well. Jahan Dotson showed flashes of a potential high-end wide receiver and should be in a position to have a big year in 2020.

3. Penn State’s offensive line is going to be a strength in 2020

The Nittany Lions long have dealt with issues along the offensive front since the program was levied with sanctions in 2012. Seven years later, the group is finally a strength with the requisite talent and depth to be one of the best lines in the country next season.

The line will return four of its five starters, with a fifth rotational player coming back. Steven Gonzalez’s departure will hurt, but the team has the talent to replace him and not take too much of a step back.

Rasheed Walker, Mike Miranda, Michal Menet, C.J. Thorpe (Central Catholic) and Will Fries are expected to make up the starting line next year and, along with Gonzalez, helped pave the way for a dominant rushing attack in the Cotton Bowl. The group steamrolled the Memphis front seven and helped Penn State accrue 396 rushing yards. It’s safe to say the backfield will have plenty of rushing lanes in 2020.