Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg has been sacked 17 times in the last four games. He’s been intercepted three times, including a pick six against Northwestern, and has thrown only one touchdown pass in that same span. Regardless, he is still being called one of the greatest quarterbacks in Penn State history.
Hackenberg’s accuracy has been suffering lately, due in part to a weak offensive line. With the NCAA sanctions looming over his head, former Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien used his limited scholarships to focus on other areas, resulting in a strong defensive line that is consistently ranked in the nation’s top 10.
However, this focus left a weaker offensive line that has trouble protecting the quarterback. Despite these recent struggles, Hackenberg is still a fantastic quarterback. You may hate his team, but you can’t deny that the kid has skills.
Hackenberg broke records as a freshman signal caller for Penn State. He was just the second true freshman to start as quarterback since 1911 and earned more than a few awards in 2013, including five Big Ten freshman of the week titles, Thompson-Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and several All-American accolades. He broke 12 freshman school records and ranks third overall at Penn State with 30 completions during the 2013 season.
Penn State is traditionally known as “Linebacker U,” but the school certainly hasn’t had any problems finding good quarterbacks. However, as a sophomore, does Hackenberg deserve to be considered one of the greats? Can that kind of judgment even be made so early in his career? Compared to other legendary Penn State quarterbacks, Hackenberg is certainly holding his own, but what makes a player “the best?”
Kerry Collins is consistently named the best quarterback to ever wear the Blue and White. Despite the fact that he struggled early in his career, he led the Nittany Lions to their best offense in history and an undefeated season that was capped with a Rose Bowl win. Comparatively, Hackenberg has tied Collins for second place on the career list after collecting four 300-yard passing games. He also broke Collins’ record of 54 pass attempts.
Clearly, Hackenberg has the numbers to at least be considered as one of the greatest Nittany Lions, but any football coach, fan, player, or analyst will tell you that being a good leader on and off the field is absolutely necessary to be a great quarterback. He has to be cool under pressure, but he also has to be physically and mentally tough.
Zack Mills, who played from 2001-2004, is probably one of the toughest quarterbacks Penn State has ever seen. Much like Hackenberg, Mills had a shaky offensive line that struggled to protect him and took a lot of hard hits. He took punishing sacks game after game, and he stood up every time. He was a physically tough player.
Matt McGloin is no stranger to harsh media criticism. Named the Nittany Lions’ starter in 2010, McGloin fought tooth and claw against Rob Bolden, another solid quarterback, for his position. When he was on, he was on. When he was off, he was tormented by the media. The former walk-on later ranked tenth in career 200-yard passing games. He came back from tough criticism from all angles to prove that he was mentally tough.
Hackenberg seems to have that winning combination. In addition to his admirable numbers, the 17 sacks in the last five weeks haven’t stopped him. He is still completing more than 50 percent of his pass attempts, and has gathered 864 yards in the last four games. Outrage from social media and print sources alike have hounded Hackenberg, but he still remains calm, cool, and collected in interviews. Naturally, he is frustrated with his own and his team’s performance, but he speaks nothing but praise for the team that he now calls his family. Although his ability to produce has been called into question in the last two games, he still has the uncanny ability to make conducting a football game look easy. Even though Hackenberg has struggled through his last two games, head coach James Franklin is still complimentary of him.
“He’s frustrated and we’re all looking at ourselves and things that we can do better, but he’s been really good, he’s been really good with his teammates, he’s been really good with the coaches.” Franklin later added, “He came up to me on Sunday and we discussed a few things before practice started. He’s a competitor.”
The bottom-line is that Hackenberg is a great quarterback who is finally getting his mettle tested. He has command of his team and for the most part, can control the field. Does he deserve the title of “best?” Not yet, but he’s on his way.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
