Georgia preparing for NFL caliber talent in Penn State's Christian Hackenberg
ATHENS -- It has been a while since Georgia's defense was forced to prepare against a quarterback who could throw the ball around the field quite a bit.
When the Bulldogs take on Penn State in the TaxSlayer Bowl on Jan. 2, they will be forced to do so against quarterback Christian Hackenberg, regarded as one of the top prospects at his position in the upcoming NFL draft if he decides to enter the draft.
Hackenberg has a great deal of experience, having logged 37 games during a three-year span with the Nittany Lions. He's the only elite-level quarterback Georgia will face this season.
"He can throw it. He can absolutely sling it," Georgia inside linebacker Jake Ganus said. "It's a lot different. We've played two option teams in a row, and now we play a kid who can put the ball anywhere on the field. We just have to be real sound in our coverages and getting to him will be big. Try to get pressure. Just trying to create havoc the best way we can."
Georgia ended the regular season ranked No. 1 in the nation in passing defense at 146.1 yards per game. But that number is aided with games down the stretch against Auburn, Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech -- teams that rarely threw the ball.
Going against a player of Hackenberg's caliber is a test Georgia defenders say they're ready for, since it's a chance to prove their statistics are legitimate.
"We've been going against some wing-T, some cut blocks the last two games of the season," cornerback Aaron Davis said. "It's good to go out there and go against wide receivers, as far as passing concepts and things like that. It's good to get out there and try and make some plays."
Only a junior, Hackenberg could decide to return for his senior season to elevate his draft status. He is already considered a second-round prospect but could improve upon that with a solid showing against Georgia.
Hackenberg has completed 184-of-345 passing attempts for 2,386 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He possesses a live arm and can make just about any throw while possessing great fundamentals with his throwing motion.
"As a DB, you like quarterbacks who throw the ball a little more than run," cornerback Malkom Parrish said. "I think it's going to be a good game."
While Hackenberg's play pops out on film, he has been someone opposing teams have been able to get to with pressure. Penn State's offensive line has allowed 39 sacks, which ranks last in the Big Ten and is tied for 118th out of 127 teams nationally.
A key to Georgia's success defending Hackenberg will be to pressure him into bad situations early and often.
"I think we'll definitely get a lot of pressure," nose tackle Chris Mayes said. "We have great pass rushers all around, some top outside linebackers, defensive linemen that have length that can get a push. I think we'll put a lot of pressure on him."
In Georgia's losses to Alabama and Tennessee, the opposing quarterback was able to find success in the passing game. Alabama's Jake Coker went 11-of-16 passing for 190 yards and a touchdown, with much of that coming in the first half. Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs completed 25-of-42 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns, marking the only time he surpassed 300 yards in a game this year.
But during the past four games, Georgia has held individual opposing passers to fewer than a 100 yards, with Kentucky's Patrick Towles (96) and Drew Barker (five) combining for 101.
Georgia has more than a week left to prepare for this game, giving the players a ton of opportunities to break down the best way to attack Hackenberg's weaknesses.
"I think he's a great quarterback," Davis said. "I'm sure he's ready to come out there and pick us apart and give us his best shot. Any time we play a quarterback who is NFL bound and he's really good, it's a great opportunity for us to show what we can do."
This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 7:20 PM with the headline "Georgia preparing for NFL caliber talent in Penn State's Christian Hackenberg ."