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QB Christian Hackenberg cementing legacy in Penn State record book

By Audrey Snyder/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
8 years ago

BALTIMORE — On a night where Christian Hackenberg looked like the No. 14 of old — as in the one from two seasons ago in Bill O’Brien’s offense — Hackenberg continued adding to his Penn State legacy. 

“Obviously you’re aware of it, but I don’t ever try and make it about me — I don’t think anyone tries to make it about them,” Hackenberg said of some individual milestones that were achieved Saturday night in the Lions’ 31-30 win against Maryland. “Right now it was about getting here and making sure we’re bowl eligible, six wins.”

Hackenberg completed 13-of-29 passes for 315 yards, hit on three touchdowns and didn’t throw a pick. His deep passes — ones of 38, 40, 38, 37, 17, 24, 31, 20, 27 and 27 - sparked a Penn State passing game that entered averaging 177. On a night where the run game was largely ineffecitve and by Maryland’s design, Hackenberg did his part to burn the Terrapins deep. 

In the process he became Penn State’s all-time career passing yardage leader (7,453 yards), career completions leader (608) and came into a tie for second place with Daryll Clark with 43 career touchdown passes. It was also Hackenberg’s 18th career 200-yard passing game, moving him into a tie with Matt McGloin who holds the record. 

“That’s awesome,” he said. “For me, I think it’s something that’s not going to hit me until later on down the road, but it was really cool to be able to go out and get that W and have my teammates around and have those guys making plays. I think that’s a product of a lot of things, a lot of great players helping me out.”

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