Blue White Illustrated

N O V E M B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 13 N A T E   B A U E R | N B A U E R @ B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M Television cameras caught Christian Hackenberg on the sidelines, watching in frustration as Michigan slowly bled out the clock on a 28-16 win at Beaver Sta- dium Saturday aBernoon. Hackenberg's Nittany Lion offense, fresh off an aBernoon in which it found its way deep into Wolverine territory three times only to come away with field goals on each occasion, would not have another opportunity. And maybe, as the second-year captain contemplates his future following the 2015 season, neither would he. Although Hackenberg has avoided any and all conversation about that future – one quite likely to include the NFL – the moment was not lost on the quarterback or reporters in the Beaver Stadium postgame media room. "It means a lot to me playing here, playing with these guys, these seniors, so it was just disappointing that we couldn't get it done," Hackenberg said. "I just tried to lay it all out there, leave everything that I have. It was tough just seeing everything kind of unfold the way it did. But we've got two more leB, so we've still got a great chance to go out to do what we need to do and get the job done." Chances have been plentiful, but Penn State's offense has simply failed to capi- talize on many during the most critical moments of the season. Saturday's story was no different, as the Nittany Lions saw Tyler Davis send three field goals from inside the 14- yard line through the uprights instead of cashing in for critical would-be touchdowns. The shortfall started early, too. Riding a 56-yard carry by freshman phenom running back Saquon Barkley down to the Michigan 9-yard line, the Nittany Lions went run-pass option for their next three play calls. Reading a Wolverines' defense determined to take away the run, Hack- enberg saw schemes that would lead to three consecutive Barkley carries, failing to push the ball any closer than the 6- yard line. Though the Nittany Lions would capi- talize on a punt-block spark late in the first half, reeling off 43 yards in six plays, capped by a Saeed Blacknall 25-yard touchdown catch from Hackenberg, the rash of missed opportunities would re- sume in the second half. ABer Penn State took possession on a forced fumble in Michigan territory, Hackenberg completed a pass over the middle to Chris Godwin on fourth-and- 9 on the final play of the third quarter, but the momentum they generated would go unrealized. Godwin, pushing Wolverines a whopping 22 yards from his reception all the way down to the 3-yard line, couldn't quite reach pay dirt. Im- pressive as the play was, Godwin would come to regret coming up short. "It was up to me to make the play, and at that point in time once I caught it, I was just trying to get in the end zone. I almost got there," he said. "I'm pretty upset at myself for not getting into the end zone." Caught in the same bind again in the fourth quarter, this time with an oppor- tunity to tie the score aBer falling behind, 21-13, the Lions could only muster 5 yards from first-and-goal at the 6. Reflecting on another Saturday of missed chances, Hackenberg remains determined to turn around the emotion- filled, late-game moment in the two games leB on the Lions' season. "I was taking everything in, but at the same time I think it was more frustration that we couldn't get it done today for a lot of reasons," Hackenberg said. "It is what it is. Again, we've got two more to try to end on a high note and do what we need to do to take care of the season." END GAME? QB disappointed as Lions fall in what may have been his Beaver Stadium farewell SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS Hackenberg was under heavy pressure throughout the game from Michi- gan's defense. Photo by Steve Manuel

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