Penn State vs. Michigan Position Grades

Nov 21, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) signals during the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren- USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks:

In what could have been his last home game, Christian Hackenberg had an inconsistent performance when he needed to play outstanding.  He only completed 13 passes out of 31 for 137 yards.  He also had a touchdown pass with no interceptions.

He had some really good moments, even on plays that didn’t work.  On a 3rd and 10 in the second half, he fired a perfect pass to DaeSean Hamilton, who couldn’t come up with the catch.  Then he followed that up with a fourth down strike to Chris Godwin who caught it and dragged Wolverine defenders inside their own 10.  The touchdown pass was a little under thrown but Saeed Blacknall went back to get it.  He also flashed his legs on a third and 13, picking up 17 yards to keep a Penn State drive alive that ended in a field goal.

One of my favorite things he did was his hard cadence that got Michigan to jump offsides multiple times.  That was a smart move by Hack and the coaches to try to shorten the field and it drove Jim Harbaugh absolutely nuts.

Hackenberg showed some real flashes of brilliance followed by head scratching decisions.  For instance, when Penn State was driving inside Michigan territory, he took a big sack instead of throwing it away.  That’s on him and not the offensive line.  At this point in his career, he needs to know when to live for another down.

He just doesn’t have the consistency that he needs to be a big-time quarterback at this level.  Whether or not he gains that consistency at the next level remains to be seen.  I think he could be a future star at the pro level, but Hackenberg in this offensive system is not working out.

Grade: C

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