To Contain Penn State's Christian Hackenberg, Ohio State Must Get A Collective Defensive Effort

By Tim Shoemaker on October 16, 2015 at 1:15 pm
Christian Hackenberg drops pack to pass last season vs. Ohio State.
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Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg hasn't had much success in his two career games played against Ohio State, throwing for just 336 yards and two touchdowns versus four interceptions in a pair of losses thus far.

But despite Hackenberg's marginal-at-best performances against the Buckeyes in the past, to think Ohio State isn't well aware of his potential and overall talent level would be a bit naive.

"Obvious NFL abilities," head coach Urban Meyer said. "We've got a lot of respect for Christian."

That seems to be the story of Hackenberg's career in Happy Valley thus far, though. The numbers don't seem to match up to the talent level.

Hackenberg is widely projected as a first-round NFL Draft pick; he has everything NFL teams are looking for from a physical standpoint: the size, strong arm, ability to make every throw. Through his first 2.5 seasons at Penn State, the junior signal caller has completed 56 percent of his passes and thrown 39 touchdowns with 27 interceptions.

Good numbers, but certainly not great.

That's of course due to a bevy of factors starting with the play of the Nittany Lions' offensive line throughout Hackenberg's tenure. It's been marginal at best. Penn State's wide receivers have also had a significant number of drops, some of the Buckeyes' coaches said as they've watched film.

"He’s making some really good throws, he’s making the deep throws, short throws," Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash said. "For whatever reason, every now and then, the ball may be dropped by a receiver or tight end, something like that, and that’s not necessarily the quarterback’s fault because he’s throwing some pretty good balls.”

Ohio State's secondary — specifically its cornerback tandem of Eli Apple and Gareon Conley — knows it will have its hands full with a talent like Hackenberg.

"[Hackenberg] is definitely going to be a first-round quarterback for sure; we definitely have to be on everything," Apple said. "Just make sure we're playing the right fundamentals because he can just put the ball anywhere."

It doesn't fall solely on Apple and Co. in the secondary, though. Ohio State's defensive line must get pressure on Hackenberg and make him uncomfortable in the pocket, a place he spends the majority of his time.

It will take a collective effort.

"Christian Hackenberg's a special player just because he's got the ability to do everything. He's such a smart player, he can make checks and if he sees pressure coming he's going to throw the relief right to it," defensive end Sam Hubbard said. "It's on us as a D-line to get to him and make him feel uncomfortable because if he's comfortable standing back there, he's dangerous."

Penn State certainly has its deficiencies on offense and the Buckeyes are clearly the more talented side. But anytime you have an NFL-caliber quarterback like Hackenberg is, you've always got a chance.

Ohio State knows that.

"We're up for the challenge," Hubbard said.

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