Advertisement

Is QB Christian Hackenberg the right fit for this offense?

By Audrey Snyder/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 8 years ago

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Quarterbacks coach Ricky Rahne talked with reporters on a conference call Thursday, the first time he’s been made available to the media since the team’s media day Aug. 6. 

Penn State’s offense, ranked 116th in the Football Bowl Subdivision, hasn’t struck a balance with the run game and the passing attack and through five games James Franklin said his team is still searching for its identity. What’s one of the team’s top priorities right now?

“Getting good at something and creating an identity,” Franklin said Wednesday after practice, adding that the rest -- which includes more creativity within the offense-- will come with time.

One would think part of Penn State’s offense getting going would come down to QB Christian Hackenberg doing the same. Franklin said Tuesday Penn State is calling the game in a style in which it can eliminate mistakes, but added that the teams needs to be more aggressive with taking shots down the field. Hackenberg, a projected first-round NFL Draft pick, passed for 200-plus yards just once through the first five games. That big arm that helped Hackenberg get this far hasn’t equated to Penn State taking many deep shots – whether because of pressure when he’s in the pocket, a lack of separation from the receivers, dropped passes or otherwise.

What’s Hackenberg done better this year compared to last?

“[He’s] making some great checks in the run game that have really helped us run the ball better in terms of getting us into good plays,” Rahne said. “The other thing I think he’s done very well is I think he’s taken care of the football.”

So, with more mobile quarterbacks in the pipeline like redshirt freshman Trace McSorley and freshman Tommy Stevens is Hackenberg, -- the 6-foot-4, 228-pound junior with the big arm and the high football IQ – the right fit for this offense where short, underneath passes thus far have been a big part?

"I would say that our offense is a multiple offense and there's lot of different types of quarterbacks that can be successful," Rahne said. "There's been multiple types of guys, sizes, that have succeeded in this offense. I would say Christian's skillset fits it well. It's about accuracy, and intelligence, and pre- and post- snap decision making, and being athletic enough to make plays with your feet.

"I think Christian's skillsets fit a variety of offenses. He has a big arm, but he's still athletic, he's a very intelligent kid, and I think that [criticism] is a bit overblown."

Hackenberg’s completed just 52 percent of his passes thus far and improved footwork, specifically with this quick passing game, has been a focal point for him since Franklin and staff arrived in January of 2014. Rahne said Hackenberg has been better throwing the ball on the run, another point of emphasis as the team focused on moving the pocket because of some of the struggles up front.

“In general, I’ve actually seen an increase in his accuracy and things like that especially with the weather factors and things of that nature over the last few weeks,” Rahne said. “Just excited to get out there this weekend because I like the way he’s practiced this week.”

Audrey Snyder: asnyder@post-gazette.com and Twitter @audsnyder4.