Penn State vet Daequan Hardy plays starring, historic role in Lions' big win over UMass

STATE COLLEGE — Before Saturday, Daequan Hardy’s last punt return for a touchdown came in high school. Despite success at the prep level, the veteran Penn State defender never got the chance to field a punt at the college level until the first quarter of Saturday’s eventual 63-0 win over Massachusetts. He took it 56 yards to the end zone. Two quarters later, he raced another one 68 yards to pay dirt.

Hardy played a starring and historic role in the Lions’ sixth triumph of the season. Billed as the fastest player on the team with a 4.32-second 40-yard dash, he showcased it by turning on the after-burners and running away from the Minutemen while also running his way into program history. He is the first Nittany Lion to ever have two punt return touchdowns in the same game. And, he is one of just four to have two in a single season, joining a distinguished list that includes Jimmy Cefalo (1977), O.J. McDuffie (1991), Bruce Branch (1999) and Larry Johnson (2001).

“I want to be explosive,” Hardy said. He added that he was unaware of the historic nature of his performance until after the game.

“I want to score. So, I try to catch the ball, get vertical, and get as many yards as they can.”

Hardy will likely rotate with first-team punt returner Kaden Saunders moving forward. But, opponents now know that the cornerback can rip off a game-changing play at any moment and will have to game plan for it accordingly.

Penn State coach James Franklin reflects on Hardy’s performance

Penn State offered Hardy, who starred at Penn Hills, after he had a 100-yard interception return, an 84-yard kick off return, and four total touchdowns in front of Franklin and cornerbacks coach Terry Smith in the 2018 PIAA 5A state title game. It may have been late. But it’s worked out well for both sides. Hardy has been a very reliable presence for the Lions in the secondary over the last five seasons. And, he now has put his explosive return talent on display.

“Him and Kaden kind of went into a competition all summer camp with catching punts and returning punts battled back and forth,” Franklin said. “Kaden had done a nice job of catching the ball all year long. But we weren’t, very explosive. We weren’t making a ton of yardage and that’s that’s no knock on Kaden. He was doing a nice job.

“But, we’re looking to try to create some more big plays, not just on offense, but in special teams as well. so, we wanted to get him some opportunities and some reps and obviously he did a phenomenal job with it. So, we got two guys that we feel like we could win with. But, Dae Dae obviously showed tonight that he could be special if he broke the school record. Not just for a game but for a season.”

Takeaways: Happy and healthy Lions blow by UMass

Hardy also had two pass breakups and a tackle in the win. He may be underrated. But, he’s a key part of this Penn State defense and now its special teams, too.

“We started to play him a little bit more at corner now,” Franklin said. “And, he’s shown the ability to do that, nickel and corner and on special teams in a lot of different roles, and now specifically, as a returner. This is going to change things for us.

“This is going to create issues for people that are evaluating us on film and it’s something that’s going to cause them long nights and how they’re going to defend him. So guys that can make big plays and be Explosive and protect the football are valuable. And, he’s done a phenomenal job for us.”