Nittany Lions growing frustrated with pressure on Hackenberg

STATE COLLEGE - Christian Hackenberg is frustrated.

Anyone who has watched as much as his warmups understands his arm strength and other tangibles.

Days before his defense faced the Nittany Lions, Michigan coach Brady Hoke, echoing the praising of opposing coaches all season, called the sophomore gunslinger "one of the great quarterbacks in this country."

But all the compliments and potential mean nothing if his face is in the ground.

Hackenberg has been sacked 20 times this season, tied for ninth-most nationally. The 6-4, big-armed quarterback has connected on only three passes of 20 yards or more in the past two games.

Quite simply, he does not have time in the pocket.

When you've got someone as gifted as Hackenberg under center, that's a frustrating issue to deal with, and Lions coach James Franklin knows his field general is getting hit too often.

"He's getting sacked too much. He's getting too many pressures," Franklin said after Saturday's 18-13 loss. "We've got a pretty talented quarterback, and we haven't been able to protect him."

Hackenberg didn't speak to the media after the Michigan game. Now, during a bye week, players aren't made available to the media. But Franklin acknowledged that No. 14 is unsatisfied.

His attitude toward coaches and teammates hasn't turned ugly because of questionable play-calling and shoddy offensive line play, the coach said.

"He's like a lot of us. He's a competitor. He wants us to play well. He wants us to win," Franklin said yesterday during his weekly Big Ten teleconference.

And yet, the strong possibility of getting popped each time he drops back to pass must be on his mind.

Penn State linebacker Mike Hull, who has 64 tackles and two sacks on the season, recognizes the frustration in the grimacing face of a tackled ballcarrier. From his perspective, Hull said the constant pressure weighs on his quarterback, physically and mentally.

In terms of offensive rhythm, Hackenberg has been limited in what he can do, even if he's still on his feet. Pressure from the defense - as little as three- or four-man rushes by the Wolverines - is impeding the quarterback's ability to throw the deep ball.

Penn State wideout DaeSean Hamilton, who has totaled 560 receiving yards through six games, pointed out the obvious after the Michigan loss: When pressure's coming, the receivers have less time to get open.

"The plays take time, and basically, that's all 'Hack' needs is time and he'll be able to make the throw," Hamilton said.

Hackenberg has the talent, and he has the faith of his teammates. He's just not getting a decent chance to operate.

"Anything can happen when he's back there, I truly believe that," Hull said Saturday. "I just think all the guys around him need to step up, him as well, and I think we'll be all right."