Nov. 04--Northwestern defensive end Dean Lowry and middle linebacker Anthony Walker each had a field day at Nebraska on Oct. 24 when the Wildcats last played and frustrated quarterback Tommy Armstrong.
But this week's opposing quarterback, Penn State's Christian Hackenberg, could present a much more difficult challenge.
The Nittany Lions (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) are coming off a 39-0 pasting of Illinois, during which Hackenberg threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns. The junior already owns many of the school's career passing records and has not thrown an interception in his last 164 pass attempts.
"Hackenberg is playing like (an NFL) first-rounder; he's taking care of the football. His touchdown to turnover ratio is amazing. He's getting the ball out of his hands," Northwestern (6-2, 2-2) coach Pat Fitzgerald said during Tuesday's Big Ten teleconference.
"He is someone who can make all of the throws," said Lowry, who had two sacks, 10 tackles (six for loss) and a pass defended against Nebraska to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.
"(Hackenberg) is big guy (6 feet 4, 228 pounds), very strong arm, accurate. He can make some throws and you have to get after him. He is very special and you have to prepare for him the right way."
Walker recorded 13 tackles against the Cornhuskers and is averaging 8.2 a game. He twice has been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.
"Of course they have one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in Hackenberg," Walker said Tuesday. "And the running back (Saquon Barkley) is probably one of the best backs in the Big Ten this year."
Hackenberg has completed 629 of 1,111 career pass attempts for 45 touchdowns in 34 starts.
"He is very patient with the ball, just making good reads and being active," Walker said. "That's the biggest thing that he brings to the table. He is already a big guy, so (can) just sit in the pocket and make every throw."
fmitchell@tribpub.com
