Hackenberg starts at QB for Penn State

Published Aug. 31, 2013 4:45 p.m. ET

foxsports

Freshman Christian Hackenberg started at quarterback for Penn State in its opener against Syracuse on Saturday.

Hackenberg and Tyler Ferguson had been competing for the starting job since preseason camp opened and second-year coach Bill O'Brien decided to until the offense took the field for the first game to reveal his new starter.

Hackenberg was one of the top quarterback recruits in the country when he committed to Penn State. After the school was hit with NCAA sanction for the Jerry Sandusky scandal, there was concern Hackenberg would find another place to play. Getting him onboard was one of O'Brien's biggest victories so far.

Ferguson was a top junior college prospect. He joined the team in January and went through spring practice.

Hackenberg arrived in August the competition has been tight since.