Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg has been beaten up over the years, but he has finally been knocked out of a game by the Georgia Bulldogs. In a defensive TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Hackenberg was knocked out of the game in the second quarter and taken to the locker room for X-rays. His return is said to be doubtful for the Nittany Lions, as Georgia leads Penn State at halftime by a 17-3 score.
A second look at the hit that eventually took Hackenberg out of the game. pic.twitter.com/8zqLAxVS6B
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) January 2, 2016
With Hackenberg out of the game, at least for now, Trace McSorely has taken over the Penn State offense. That should lead to a heavier work load for freshman running back Saquon Barkley, who has carried the football nine times for 18 yards for Penn State.
Georgia has scored the only touchdowns of the game thus far. On 2nd and 8 from the Penn State 44-yard line, Georgia’s Terry Godwin unloaded on a deep pass to Malcolm Mitchell for a touchdown after the Penn State defense bit on the wildcat. The 44-yard wildcat play has been the biggest offensive highlight of the game, with both teams playing well on defense, as expected going in. Georgia’s defense has also forced the only turnover with an interception off a tipped pass from Hackenberg off Barkley on the opening drive of the game. Georgia also added a late touchdown before halftime when Greyson Lambert connected with Godwin for a 17-yard touchdown.
The way this game is going, Georgia is lining up another win for the SEC, and unless Penn State can make anything happen with a backup quarterback in the second half, it could be another double-digit victory for the SEC.
UPDATE (1:58 PM): Hackenberg has now officially been ruled out for the rest of the game.
Christian Hackenberg will not return to the #TaxSlayerBowl.
— Kris Petersen (@GoPSUKris) January 2, 2016