Penn State freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after an outstanding season under center for the Nittany Lions.
Hackenberg passed for 2,955 yards, 20 touchdowns and a 58.9-percent completion rate, starting all 12 games this season. The award is the second consecutive won by a Penn State freshman. Defensive end Deion Barnes was honored with the award following the 2012 campaign.
Hackenberg had a season for the record books. He posted nine 200-yard passing games this season, moving into third on the Penn State single season list, trailing only Kerry Collins (10, 1994) and McGloin (11, 2012). He also moved into a tie for eighth on the career 200-yard list with Todd Blackledge and Wally Richardson.
Hackenberg’s 339 yards at Wisconsin gave him 2,955 yards for the season, moving into third place on the Penn State single-season chart. He also passed Anthony Morelli (2,651 yards) and Kerry Collins (2,679) and trails only McGloin (3,266, 2012) and Daryll Clark (3,003 in 2009) on the season list.
“There were a lot of ups and downs this season.” Hackenberg said Tuesday night. “And coming in the summer and trying to pick up everything, I didn’t really know what to expect but I had a lot of coaches and guys around me. I felt like I really grew up in the mental aspect of the game.”
“The most important thing that I’ve learned is that you have to continue to work each week, each week is a grind.”
On Monday night, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, offensive lineman John Urschel and receiver Allen Robinson picked up all-Big Ten honors on the Big Ten all-conference show. All three players were named to the all-Big Ten team by either the media, coaches, or both.
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