Although Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg's production had dipped this season, the Maryland defense knew it faced a formidable task when it lined up across from him Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium.
So its strategy centered on pressuring Hackenberg and getting him "off his spot" before he could make throws. The Nittany Lions offensive line had been porous, so the Terps knew that there was the chance to fluster a presumed early pick in April's NFL draft.
The strategy worked, sort of. Maryland held Hackenberg to 13 of 29 passing, his 44.8 completion percentage the second-lowest mark of the season.