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Christian Hackenberg turns to a friend to scout Penn State's opponent

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Earlier this week, while seeking ways to decipher the San Diego State defense, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg turned to a trusted source.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Earlier this week, while seeking ways to decipher the San Diego State defense, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg turned to a trusted source.

Hackenberg texted Jared Goff, the quarterback at California – a team that defeated the Aztecs, 35-7, two weeks ago – and a good friend from their time together at the Elite 11 quarterback camp three years ago.

"He's an awesome dude, one of my better friends," Hackenberg said of Goff, who went 17 of 24 for 321 yards and three touchdowns against San Diego State. "Just being able to kind of shoot some things with him and see what he saw, giving up any kind of keys that he got from them.

"Jared has been helpful with me, especially with these guys. It's a different look, a different type of mentality out West. So just being able to pick up some things from him and what he saw and how he exploited it is good."

San Diego State (1-2), of the Mountain West Conference, is coming more than 2,600 miles and earning a guarantee believed to be in the high six figures to be the opponent for Penn State (2-1) Saturday at 107,000-seat Beaver Stadium. The Aztecs were a two-touchdown favorite last week at home against South Alabama but were upset in overtime.

Still, they've turned the page, and the anticipation has been building about their trip to Happy Valley.

"I'm extremely excited," junior defensive back Malik Smith said. "I can't wait to play in front of that crowd; that's a very large crowd on a big stage. Saturday can't come fast enough for me."

The Aztecs' lone victory this season has been over San Diego, an FCS team. Their offense has struggled but their statistics are close to those of the Nittany Lions. On average, they have scored more points (23.7-21.7) and have passed for more yards (159.0-124.0). In total yardage, Penn State holds a slim 327.3-311.7 advantage.

San Diego State is led offensively by tailback Donnel Pumphrey, who set a school record for most rushing yards in a season last year with 1,867. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound junior has gained 249 yards this season behind a rebuilt offensive line, and averages just 3.7 yards per carry.

Defensively, the Aztecs play a scheme that seems to have kept the Lions' coaches up late at night. James Franklin said he and his staff have read articles and watched a lot of film about what they do.

"When you watch their film, it doesn't always fall in line with how you play football," the Penn State head coach said. "So it doesn't help to put them into a category or put them into rules. Because of that, they have a lot of free runners at the quarterback. And because of that, typically the ball comes out early, which aids your defensive backs."

Franklin said the Aztecs also surprise every opponent with a "blitz or two that you have not seen" on film.

San Diego State coach Rocky Long is aware of the Nittany Lions' recent success with the running game led by freshman Saquon Barkley, and of their stingy defense. He's still excited to be coming East, though.

"They're a perfect Big Ten team, they're gigantic on both sides of the line of scrimmage," he said. "It's quite a challenge, quite an opportunity, but it's an exciting deal. It's fun to be in that atmosphere."

jjuliano@phillynews.com

@joejulesinq