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Saquon Barkley makes big debut for Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Penn State true freshman Saquon Barkley couldn't have had a better opening to his college career Saturday in Beaver Stadium, despite the daylong rain.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Penn State true freshman Saquon Barkley couldn't have had a better opening to his college career Saturday in Beaver Stadium, despite the daylong rain.

The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Barkley rushed for 115 yards on 12 carries, scored a touchdown, and thrilled the crowd by hurdling a potential tackler in helping the Nittany Lions to a 27-14 victory over Buffalo.

"It was great," Barkley, who is not allowed to speak to reporters as a true freshman, said in a video released by Penn State. "I was real excited, had a great time in my first game ever in Beaver Stadium. I dreamed about this ever since I committed here in February two years ago. It was awesome, everything that I expected."

The play that had everyone talking was the handoff Barkley took on a play at the Buffalo 29. He dashed up the middle, jumped over safety Ryan Williamson, and went on for 17 yards, frustrated he didn't score. He did go over the goal line from 9 yards out on Penn State's next possession.

"That was awesome, my first college touchdown," he said. "I'm never going to forget it. I didn't know what to do so I just gave the ball to the ref. I was a little upset that I didn't score the drive before. I thought I should have gotten in. I slipped but hey, got to play the next play."

Barkley, who played only in the second half, has a skill set that head coach James Franklin likes.

"When you watch him as a runner, he's making people miss, but he's also breaking tackles," Franklin said. "You don't get that kind of combination in a freshman. It's usually one or the other."

Quarterback Christian Hackenberg said he figured on greatness for Barkley "the day he stepped on campus.

"I think he's one of those kids that's what Penn State is all about," he said. "He works extremely hard, cares a lot - there's a lot of that care factor that's awesome. It's hard to see in a kid sometimes, and he's special."

Nick Scott, a redshirt freshman running back, agrees on Barkley's attitude and a willingness to learn.

"He always wants to learn; he's always asking question after question," said Scott, who added with a smile, "In the meetings, he'll ask so many questions, you get to the point where I'm looking at him like, 'Bro, can we get out of here?' But he's a great kid. I love him to death."

And as for the hurdle?

"I'd give an A. A-plus if he had kept his feet and got into the end zone," Scott said. "But he knows that. It was a great play. It's an instinct play, and only athletes can make them."