Pennridge’s Nick Tarburton turns heads in Outback Bowl

When five key contributors of Penn State’s defense opted out of the Nittany Lions’ Jan. 1 Outback Bowl tilt with No. 21 Arkansas (9-4), it gave others a chance to shine.
Penn State (7-6) fell 24-10 but redshirt junior defensive lineman, Pennridge’s Nick Tarburton, took full advantage of the opportunity.
Although Tarburton played significant minutes in every Penn State regular season game, he recorded a career high seven tackles on New Year’s Day during the ESPN2-broadcasted bowl. In the second quarter, Tarburton registered his first quarterback sack of the season by dropping Razorback signal caller K.J. Jefferson for a loss of seven yards.

Tarburton also added a key tackle for loss in the third quarter, nailing running back De’Vion Warren in the red zone for a loss of seven. That Arkansas drive ended with a field goal instead of a possible touchdown.
The former Pennridge standout had 22 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and two pass break ups during the regular season. Tarburton recovered a fumble in Penn State’s opening day win against Wisconsin and was credited with a quarterback hurry in the Nittany Lions’ Oct. 9 loss at Iowa.

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