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Hackenberg's Three Touchdowns Lead Lions Past Terps, 31-30

3130
M&T Bank Stadium | Baltimore, Md. | 68,948


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FINAL STATISTICS

BALTIMORE (AP) - Christian Hackenberg threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns, and Penn State beat Maryland 31-30 on Saturday to spoil the debut of interim coach Mike Locksley.

Although Hackenberg completed only 13 passes, many of them were big-gainers. Chris Godwin had four catches for 135 yards and DaeSean Hamilton totaled 96 yards on his five receptions.

Hackenberg became the school career leader in completions (608) and yards passing (7,453), displacing Zach Mills in both categories.

Penn State (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) improved to 36-2-1 against the Terps, but Maryland's determined effort before a spirted crowd of 68,948 could help turn this into a regional rivalry.

Maryland played well in this one but was undone by five turnovers, including three interceptions by Perry Hills.

Hills ran for 128 yards and completed 19 of 28 passes for 225 yards. His final interception came on a deflected pass with 1:15 remaining.

Penn State went up 31-27 with 13:39 left when Hackenberg tossed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Geno Lewis.

Maryland cut the gap with a field goal, and then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. But Hills fumbled it back as he was hit while throwing.

The Terrapins got the ball following a missed field goal try. Locksley opted to go for it on fourth-and-2 from the Maryland 36, and Hills was intercepted by Trevor Williams with 7:51 to go.

That wouldn't be the last turnover for the Terrapins, who wore throwback uniforms patterned after the 1961 team. That was the year in which Maryland earned its lone win over the Nittany Lions at home.

Maryland moved 68 yards on its first possession of the third quarter to take a 20-17 lead. After Hills ran 36 yards to the 10, Brandon Ross scored on third down.

Hackenberg responded by completing a pass to Godwin for 31 yards, then throwing a 20-yarder to Hamilton for a touchdown. Both passes were put up for grabs, and on both occasions the receiver made the play.

The back-and-forth duel extended into the next drive, when Hills directed an 88-yard march that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Lane, making it 27-24.

That laid the groundwork for an intense fourth quarter.

Penn State led 17-13 at halftime despite being limited to 15 yards rushing and converting only once on third down.

Hackenberg went 7 for 16 before intermission, but his completions went for 196 yards - including a 37-yarder to Godwin, who made an outstanding one-handed catch in the end zone while his defender was being called for pass interference.

Maryland led 13-7 in the second quarter despite committing two turnovers inside the Penn State 20.