STATE COLLEGE — His college career has spanned all of three weeks, yet Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg seems to be succeeding at contrasting goals.

His grasp of the Nittany Lions’ offense already has resulted in some gaudy passing statistics and a quick ascension to his role as one of the team’s leaders..

“I’m here doing the same things everyone else is, just trying to get an education,” Hackenberg said. “But I just play football as well.”

Hackenberg has quickly transitioned his play from one of the nation’s top-rated, pro-style high school quarterbacks to Penn State starter under second-year coach Bill O’Brien. It is not something that happens often in Happy Valley — freshman starters — but this is a new era of Nittany Lions football.

He will enter Saturday’s game vs. Kent State with a completion rate of nearly 72 percent and 851 yards passing.