Penn State clinches bowl eligibility with sloppy and wild win in Baltimore
Quick Hits
- Christian Hackenberg throws for 315 yards and 3 TDs
- Chris Godwin leads all players with 135 receiving yards on four receptions
- Maryland rushes for 241 yards; Penn State just 48 yards on the ground
- Teams combine for eight turnovers
- Penn State is bowl eligible for second straight season
A week after taking on Ohio State in Columbus, the Nittany Lions defense appeared to be as sluggish as ever on the road in Baltimore. Penn State’s defense was uncharacteristically the biggest concern on the field for Penn State, but when it needed to make plays to grab a hold of a victory in Big Ten play against Maryland, they rose to the occasion. Penn State’s defense took the ball away from Maryland on four of the final five possessions for the Terrapins, and forced a turnover on downs on the other to put the clamps down on a 31-30 victory in M&T Bank Stadium.
There was nothing particularly clean in the game besides the uniforms worn by both schools. Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg had a bit of an up and down game, completing just 13 of his 29 pass attempts, but throwing for big gains to rack up 315 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Hackenberg benefitted from some brilliant play by his receivers, Chris Godwin, DaeSean Hamilton and Geno Lewis. All three caught a touchdown pass. It was needed, because Penn State’s suddenly revitalized running game was kept under control all afternoon by Maryland.
Saquon Barkley carried the football 20 times for 65 yards and a touchdown, but a handful of sacks on Hackenberg reduced Penn State’s rushing total to just 48 yards. Maryland quarterback Perry Hills proved his value to the Maryland offense by frustrating Penn State’s defense for 124 rushing yards and a score to go with his 19-of-28 for 225 passing yards and passing touchdown. It was a long afternoon for Penn State’s defense, but they managed to pick off Hills three times and knocked the ball loose out of his hand for a late fumble as well.
In the end, Penn State got the win and became eligible for postseason play, and that is ultimately what matters the most right now.
Play of the Game: Chris Godwin’s 2nd quarter TD catch
Chris Godwin is really good at making really hard catches look really easy. Check out this @PennStateFball TD! https://t.co/DWZ3gpgxQE
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) October 24, 2015
Player of the Game: WR Chris Godwin, Penn State
With Hackenberg not being particularly sharp with his passing, it was up to the receivers to make some adjustments to get their hands on the football. This was an area in which Chris Godwin seemed to excel, especially with Maryland’s Will Likely covering him for most of the afternoon. Godwin caught just four passes, but those receptions went for 135 yards and a touchdown.
Hackenberg Snatches Two School Records
During the course of the game Christian Hackenberg knocked Zack Mills off the top spot for two school passing records. Hackenberg is now the Penn State all-time leader in pass completions and passing yards.
Following a 315-yard, 3-TD game, @chackenberg1 now holds #PennState completions & passing records. #PennStateProud pic.twitter.com/C6URO6ey0V
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 25, 2015
Potent Quotables
It’s a great feeling. I haven’t played here in five years ever since high school. And just to make a play here at my hometown, in front of my family, it’s just a great feeling and a moment I’ll remember forever.
–Trevor Williams on making an interception in his hometown.
What’s Next?
Penn State returns home next week to play host to Illinois, another team that handed Penn State a loss last fall. This will also be the third team Penn State will face with an interim head coach on the sideline. Maryland had Mike Locksley take over after firing Randy Edsall and earlier this season Rutgers had an interim coach in place of a suspended Kyle Flood. Illinois canned Tim Beckman before the first game of the season and has been playing this season with Bill Cubit.
Illinois will come into Beaver Stadium looking to snap a two-game losing streak. The 4-3 Illini are still in position to become bowl eligible themselves, but may need to win the game in order to keep that hope alive. Illinois has lost two straight games against Iowa and Wisconsin.
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