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Execution key for Nittany Lion offense

Penn State’s offensive problems, according to Christian Hackenberg, can be summed up in one word.

It’s a word the quarterback used over and over again Wednesday when discussing this week’s game at Michigan.

“It all comes down to execution,” Hackenberg said.

Mentioning the word more than a half-dozen times, Hackenberg explained that execution needs to come from every part of the offense on every play.

That, by and large, has been a big problem for the Nittany Lions through five games.

“(It’s about) us being able to execute consistently – play in and play out – and do our jobs,” Hackenberg said. “It’s always two or three guys, not necessarily doing things poorly, but not doing things the best that they can. That’s myself included sometimes.”

While most of the criticism for the offensive struggles has been aimed squarely at the offensive line, Hackenberg’s acknowledgment of his own shortcomings is noteworthy.

The sophomore has thrown for a ton of yards so far – averaging 295 per game – but he’s only completing 57.9 percent of his passes. And despite averaging 39 passes per game, he has thrown only four touchdowns, to go along with six interceptions.

On one hand, Hackenberg has had to shoulder an enormous burden. The line hasn’t opened up holes for the running game, and the quarterback has either had to scramble or take a big hit on a large number of plays.

If Hackenberg doesn’t make big plays, the Lions stand a good chance of losing. Then again, knowing he has to make big plays and not having much time to do so has led to some accuracy issues.

Coach James Franklin was asked if Hackenberg has to tone it down some rather than try to make heroic plays.

“I think it’s a fine line,” the coach said. “The way our offense has been the first couple weeks, there’s been a lot on his shoulders, and it’s always easy to find fault when things don’t go well. But a lot of those plays that he has been aggressive have gone well.”

Franklin later added, “When you’re out there and you’re competing and you’re being chased by 300 pounders and things like that, Christian is growing just like we’re all growing, and I’ve been pleased with it. So I think, obviously, at the quarterback position and a lot of positions, we want to continue to make great choices and make good decisions with the football.”

One reason to believe Hackenberg can overcome any issues he’s having – either from game to game or within the game itself – and execute the offense at a high level is his calm demeanor.

“He’s a laid-back guy,” tight end Jesse James said. “He doesn’t get too mad, stays pretty level. He’s really emotional in the game, and you guys see that. He’s real talkative.”

Hackenberg’s identity already is well-established, but with the midway point of the season approaching this week, the Lions’ identity on offense remains a mystery.

“I think we’re still searching, and I think it’ll come soon,” Hackenberg said.

Receivers DaeSean Hamilton and Geno Lewis are enjoying big seasons so far as Hackenberg’s top targets with 36 and 29 catches, respectively, but they’ve only combined for one TD. That’s been a problem, too.

“The offense, we still feel good,” Hamilton said of scoring just six points against Northwestern. “(We) just have to bounce back from Northwestern, put that behind us just because we know what we’re capable of. We’re ready to get back out there and prove what we can do.”

The Lions’ struggles in the red zone – eight touchdowns in 20 trips – have been a product of receivers not getting open, poor throws by Hackenberg and the lack of a running game.

Bill Belton’s team-leading 189 yards rushing is a very small number five games in. That low number falls heavily on the line, which hasn’t been able to impose its will against any team other than UMass.

“I think they’ve handled it pretty well, I really do,” Franklin said of the criticism of the linemen. “I think what happens on most football teams is there’s always noise outside, but you try to limit the noise. And I think what really matters is how we interact with one another at meetings and things like that.

“They know how we feel about them. I know how hard they’re working and what they’re putting into this as well. They want to play as well as anybody else, and I do see them getting better.”

To get better, for everyone on the offense, it comes back to Hackenberg’s buzzword.

“We’ve just got to come out and execute and understand the challenge that’s ahead of us,” the quarterback said. “We have to go out and execute the game plan and avoid the negative plays and make as many plays as we can.”

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