It took Joe Paterno over 40 years to start a true freshman at quarterback to open the season. One report suggests it will take Bill O’Brien just two.
A report published by ESPN.com says Christian Hackenberg, a blue chip quarterback recruit out of Virginia in Penn State’s class of 2013, will get the start under center for Penn State on Saturday. Penn State faces off with Syracuse in MetLife Stadium, meaning Hackenberg will make his first start in the NFL stadium.
O’Brien has remained largely silent on the quarterback situation all training camp and in the days leading up to the start of his second season as head coach. The coach said this week that his players knew who the starter would be and that everyone else would have to wait until kickoff for everyone else to find out.
If the report is true and Haceknberg does start for Penn State, it means he would have beaten out junior college quarterback Tyler Ferguson. Ferguson was Penn State’s consolation prize among junior college transfers after Jake Waters chose to join Kansas State. Waters will start for the Wildcats on Friday night against FCS power North Dakota State.
The expectations are high for Hackenberg in State College. After seeing what O’Brien was able to make of Matt McGloin, why wouldn’t they be? One question that may need to be answered tomorrow is whether or not the start ultimately is a final decision or if an audition is continuing on the field against live opponents. O’Brien had teased the idea of using both quarterbacks , but a two QB system would not be ideal for O’Brien.
Rob Bolden was the last true freshman to start a season opener for Penn State (2010).