Godwin's big catch impresses Hackenberg, Franklin

Penn State's Chris Godwin is becoming a receiver that quarterback Christian Hackenberg can count on to win his battles with opposing defensive backs on deep passes.

Godwin brought down a 49-yard pass from Hackenberg against Army cornerback Chris Carnegie in the third quarter, the longest play in a three-play drive that enabled the NIttany Lions to take a 13-point lead en route to their 20-14 win.

"I thought that was a great catch," Hackenberg said. "I'm very confident (in him). I think Chris has been doing some really good things on a consistent basis. That's huge. I think that takes a lot of pressure off of a lot of people, other receivers, so I think that he's been doing a good job of doing that."

It was the fifth time this season that Godwin caught a pass good for 30 or more yards.

Godwin, a 6-foot-1, 208-pound sophomore from Middletown, Del., said receivers coach Josh Gattis works with him and other wideouts on prevailing on the 50-50 balls in the passing game. He called it "awesome" when told that Hackenberg said he had confidence in him.

"To be able to get the opportunity for 50-50 balls, every time I come down with it, it kind of builds that confidence and the offense as well," he said.

Penn State coach James Franklin called Godwin "consistent in everything he does."

"You know when you throw the ball in his direction, good things usually happen," Franklin said. "You're going to see him get more and more opportunities, but that's just kind of who he is."

--Joe Juliano