Wide receivers prove more than capable in Penn State opener

DUBLIN, Ireland - It wasn't difficult for Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg to maintain his confidence in the Nittany Lions' ability to replace all-Big Ten receiver Allen Robinson this season.

"We knew we had playmakers outside. You guys just hadn't seen them yet," Hackenberg said after the Nittany Lions' 26-24 win against Central Florida on Saturday at Croke Park.

The receivers aren't a preseason-camp secret anymore.

Redshirt freshman DaeSean Hamilton broke Penn State's freshman yardage record for a game by gaining 165 yards on 11 receptions in his debut.

Meanwhile, sophomore Geno Lewis contributed a game-high 173 yards on eight catches, the loudest of which was a 79-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Freshman Chris Godwin also got in on the action, adding 13 yards on a pair of catches. In the end, Lions receivers accounted for 351 yards in helping Hackenberg become the first passer in Penn State history to throw for at least 400 yards in a game - he finished with 454.

This performance "makes me feel like people should stop sleeping on us," Hamilton said. "The whole receiving corps, we have something to prove, and that's what we're going to do week in, week out."

The Fredericksburg, Va., native said the connection with Hackenberg on display Saturday was built weekly over the summer, when he'd text the quarterback on Sunday nights to set up throwing sessions for Monday mornings.

That laid the groundwork for a debut Hamilton said even he did not anticipate.

Lewis, a more familiar face who also grabbed a long touchdown in last year's season opener against Syracuse, padded his totals in timely situations.

His touchdown came just a few plays after Central Florida scored to cut its deficit to 13-10. Then, on Penn State's game-winning drive, he made three catches for 34 yards, the last of which was an 18-yard gain along the sideline that set up Sam Ficken's 36-yard, game-winning field goal.

"That touchdown today, that's something I'll remember for the rest of my life," he said.

When Penn State lines up against Akron on Saturday, the questions for the receivers won't be as much about replacing Robinson as they will be about maintaining what they did against Central Florida.

"I think these guys will continue to get better," Hackenberg said. "There were mistakes, and we have to fix them to get better. Those guys gave us a great foundation today."