PSU Report
Player of the Game
QB Christian Hackenberg
Penn State
The junior was challenged by an aggressive Maryland game plan, and he delivered big play after big play. He completed 13 passes for a whopping 315 yards and three touchdowns, all 20 yards or longer — including the game-winning 27-yarder to Eugene Lewis in the fourth quarter.
Game Balls
WR Chris Godwin, Penn State
Godwin had a career game, catching four passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, a one-handed grab in the end zone that gave Penn State a 14-13 lead in the second quarter.
SLB Brandon Bell, Penn State
Forced a huge fumble in the fourth quarter with Maryland driving to take the lead. Finished with 3.5 tackles for loss in addition to that forced fumble.
QB Perry Hills, Maryland
Another mobile quarterback who proved a lot to handle for the Nittany Lions defense. Hills rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown. He also threw for 225 yards and one more score.
By the Numbers
5 — Turnovers forced by Penn State’s defense.
6 — Lead changes in the game.
8 — Completions of 20 yards or more for Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg.
226 — Rushing yards allowed by Penn State’s defense to quarterbacks in their last two games.
315 — Passing yards for Hackenberg, who became the all-time Penn State leader in passing yardage and career completions.
Report Card
Quarterback: For as much criticism as he has taken this season, Christian Hackenberg has been darn good for the Lions. He was great Saturday, throwing for 315 yards and three touchdowns against Maryland. GRADE: A
Running backs: It was not the difference-making week many figured it would be for Saquon Barkley, who fumbled twice early. But he grinded out 65 rushing yards and scored the first touchdown. Nobody else really made an impact. GRADE: C-
Receivers: Hackenberg gave receivers like Chris Godwin and DaeSean Hamilton chances to make big plays, and they did it. Godwin’s one-handed touchdown catch was one for the highlight reel, and the Nittany Lions are always better when Eugene Lewis is making an impact, which he did Saturday. GRADE: A-
Offensive line: There weren’t many running lanes, and Hackenberg was hit often again. But in defense of the line, it’s tough to block everybody Maryland was sending. They held their own, without a major mistake. GRADE: C+
Defensive line: The front four, as usual, made plenty of plays — especially in the middle, where Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettel combined for 16 tackles. Carl Nassib was caught overpursuing plays at times, but he had a big sack late, and Garrett Sickels’ fourth-quarter fumble recovery was key. GRADE: B+
Linebackers: Too many missed tackles here this week really turned what could have been minimal gains for Maryland ballcarriers into big ones. Brandon Bell played well, but Jason Cabinda and Troy Reeder looked very much like young linebackers still learning. GRADE: C
Secondary: Safety Marcus Allen had a few lapses in coverage, and he was burned badly on two plays that led to a Maryland touchdown. But Trevor Williams, Grant Haley and Malik Golden all had key interceptions. GRADE: B
Special teams: They started to sputter late, with the roughing the kicker penalty that extended a Maryland drive, a fumbled kickoff and a kickoff out of bounds. But they minimized the effect the nation’s best punt returner, William Likely, had on the game. No easy task. GRADE: C+
Coaching: James Franklin expected what he got — an aggressive Maryland game plan. The defense didn’t allow Likely to be a major factor, and they kept going to the deep pass when the defense gave them the 50-50 throws. It was not a perfect game, all around. But it was good enough to win. GRADE: B
— Compiled by Donnie Collins