Blue White Illustrated

PHIL'S CORNER Nittany Lions met expectations during nonconference season ow that Penn State has completed its nonconference schedule, I have to admit that I'm more than pleasantly surprised with how the offense has performed under the leadership of freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Hackenberg's quick maturation has been a huge boon to the offense. While Bill O'Brien said recently that he expects his quarterbacks to compete every pass they attempt, I can't imagine that anyone realistically thought that Hackenberg would be completing more than 70 percent of his throws coming out of the Syracuse, Eastern Michigan and Central Florida games. He's averaging about 300 yards per game and has the best completion percentage in the Big Ten. For an indication of how well Hackenberg performed in the nonconference portion of Penn State's season, consider the scene in the Central Florida media room following the Knights' 34-31 upset victory over the Nittany Lions. When UCF coach George O'Leary was told by a reporter that Hackenberg had arrived on Penn State's campus only three months earlier, O'Leary could scarcely believe it. "He wasn't here in January? Are you sure? I think you're wrong. O'Leary " said. It took some persuasion on the reporter's part, but O'Leary finally accepted what he was being told. That made the veteran coach's praise of Hackenberg even more effusive. "I think he's going to be outstanding, O'Leary said. "He's got " great poise. He can make all the throws, and he keeps his vision downfield. " N O'Leary was also impressed with Hackenberg's game-management skills. "He really handles the clock well," O'Leary said. "He doesn't get flustered. For a true freshman who's been on campus for just three or four months, I think he's done a great job." As Penn State gets ready to open its Big Ten season at Indiana on Oct. 5, praise for the way Hackenberg has performed hasn't come just from opponents and members of Penn State's coaching staff. ESPN and Big Ten Network analysts also seem to be impressed with what Hackenberg has been able to accomplish so far. "With him at quarterback, Penn State will be in every game it plays, even if there isn't any modification to the school's NCAA sanctions, stated Trent Dilfer of " ESPN. "I had the privilege of working with Hackenberg at the Elite 11 quarterback camp before he arrived at Penn State, and I was amazed at how quickly he grasped what we were throwing at him in just one week. He has an understanding of the game that, from a player just out of high school, I've never seen before. "The things we were teaching him at the Elite 11 camp are the same concepts O'Brien uses in his NFL-style offense. Mentally, as well as physically, Hackenberg will be fully prepared to play in the NFL once he leaves Penn State. " At this point, I don't want readers to get the impression that Hackenberg's performance was the only highlight Penn State's offense produced in September. The truth is, almost every aspect of the Lions' performance has ex- ceeded my expectations. In fact, if the defense had been consistent and played up to expectations throughout the nonconference season, the Nittany Lions would be entering their game against the Hoosiers with an undefeated record. Despite the fact that Penn State was 10th in the Big Ten with a scoring average of 33 points per game through three games, the team had performed beyond my expectations in every team and individual statistical category. Penn State was fourth in the conference in total offense (460.7 yards per game) and third in passing offense (293.7). And even though the Nittany Lions' rushing offense was 10th in the Big Ten with an average of only 167 yards per game, its three running backs – Zach Zwinak, Bill Belton and Akeel Lynch – all were averaging more than 4.5 yards per carry. For the most part, they have been providing Penn State's running game with the perfect blend of power and speed. Some believe Penn State's running game was the least impressive aspect of its offense during the nonconference schedule, but the team's difficulties running the ball were a result of opponents' decision to stuff the box with eight or nine players and dare the Lions to rely on the passing game. The running backs are likely to find more room to run if Hackenberg continues to burn opposing secondaries and forces defensive coordinators to stop stacking the box. If that happens, I'm convinced Penn State's offense will achieve the balance that O'Brien deemed essential at the beginning of the season. That's because the remainder of the skill position players have played up to their potential despite a few substantial injuries since preseason practice began on Aug. 5. The player who best illustrates how explosive Penn State's offense can be is junior receiver Allen Robinson. At the beginning of the season, I said most of the preseason college football annuals were completely missing the boat when they failed to include Robinson on their preseason first-team All-America squads. Two magazines – Lindy's and The Sporting News – didn't even place

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