Christian Hackenberg throws three TDs as Penn State edges Terps

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The Randy Edsall Era might be over, but that doesn't mean Maryland is just going to stop turning the ball over.

Maryland quarterback Perry HIlls had five turnovers Saturday, and Penn State capitalized to grab a narrow 31-30 win in Baltimore.

Hills threw three interceptions and gave away a pair of fumbles, while his counterpart, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg threw three touchdown passes in the victory.

The Terps scored 13 of the game's first 20 points before the Nittany Lions scored a touchdown — a 37-yard pass from Hackenberg to Chris Godwin — and kicked a field goal in the final three minutes of the first half to take a 17-13 lead into the break.

Brandon Ross hit the end zone for the first score of the third quarter, putting the Terps back on top again. Hackenberg responded with a 20-yard touchdown toss to DaeSean Hamilton. But Hills threw a touchdown pass to DeAndre Lane in the quarter's final minute to put Maryland back in front.

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Hackenberg found Geno Lewis in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter for a go-ahead touchdown to make it a 31-27 game.

The opening play of the ensuing Maryland drive was a 43-yard completion from Hills to Taivon Jacobs, but the drive ended in a field goal, cutting it to a one-point game.

Penn State kick returned Nick Scott fumbled the ball away to Maryland on the following kickoff, but Hills fumbled it back to Penn State when he was sacked shortly thereafter. Joey Julius missed a field-goal try on the drive, keeping the Terps alive. But Hills threw two interceptions in the final eight minutes, allowing the Lions to secure the win.

Hackenberg finished with 315 passing yards and three touchdowns, with Godwin going for 135 receiving yards and a touchdown and Hamilton 96 yards and a touchdown.

Hills finished with 225 passing yards, 156 rushing yards and a pair of total touchdowns.

Penn State improved to 6-2 with the win, while Maryland dropped to 2-5.

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