Penn State vs. Ohio State Position Grades

Oct 17, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) reacts to the line judge after a flag was thrown for holding on a touchdown carry in the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks:

Another bad night for Christian Hackenberg.  The Buckeye defense terrorized him all night, coming up with five sacks and countless other times where they hurried Hack in the pocket.  He finished the night 7 for 13 120 yards and a touchdown pass.  Keep in mind that most of those yards came on two plays that were pretty much all Chris Godwin showing off his abilities.  Hackenberg’s decision making on third and fourth downs was pretty awful, especially on the fourth downs where Penn State was driving in Buckeye territory.

Hackenberg was banged up in the game, hobbling around and getting his knee looked at by the trainers at one point for a cut.  Yet the coaching staff kept him in there until the bitter end.  I know Hack is a fighter, but seriously when the game was well in hand he should have been on the sidelines.  That’s on the coaches.

I’m still amazed me at the complete regression of Hackenberg since his freshman year.  For every good game he’s had since, there have been more performances like we saw Saturday night.  I’m kind of running out of excuses to give him.  Offensive line, play-calling, bad weather.   The consistency for Hack is not there, nor do I think it ever will be, at least not in a Penn State uniform.  I just hope he survives this season without taking a serious injury.

Grade: C-

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