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SDSU coach: PSU offense, Hackenberg benefiting from different approach
If Christian Hackenberg really is one of the best pro quarterback prospects in the college game today, doesn't putting him in a pro-style offense make sense?
That is just what Penn State has done according to Rocky Long, the head coach of San Diego State, the Nittany Lions' next opponent.
"He moves around, he's big, he's got a strong arm, he moves around in the pocket to find passing lanes but he's never looking to run or scramble, so he's more of a classic-style quarterback," Long told reporters in San Diego on Tuesday. "The first week of the season, they tried to be a spread team and lost. They are no longer trying to be a spread team, they're trying to be a pro team. They're pounding the ball and using play-action pass more than they did the first game of the year. They've gone back more traditional, so Hackenberg is more in his type of system rather than the spread system. He's not a spread quarterback."
The Nittany Lions are 2-1 after beating Buffalo and Rutgers in the past two weeks. That came after a 27-10 loss to Temple in the season opener.
Aztec defensive back Malik Smith compared Hackenberg to California quarterback Jared Goff, who threw for 321 yards with three touchdowns and an interception as the Bears beat SDSU 35-7 on Sept. 12.
"We know he can strike at any given moment," Smith said. "We're not underestimating him. We know that he's a good quarterback. He throws the ball really well. He reads good defense. We're tuned in on him and going to play him as good as we can by getting some pressure on him, covering the receivers and stopping the run. We're going to try and do it all."
