WR DaeSean Hamilton sleeps at Penn State’s practice facility — for games like this

After watching another productive performance by Penn State’s DaeSean Hamilton, teammate Koa Farmer described the wide receiver as the hardest-working kid he’s ever met in his life.

Farmer knows how much work Hamilton put into his craft during spring ball and camp and after practice. That dedicated approach played a factor in his six-catch, 115-yard effort in the No. 2 Nittany Lions’ 42-13 win over Michigan at Beaver Stadium on Saturday night.

“He literally sleeps at Lasch,” Farmer said with a smile. “I question how hard I work because of him.”

Hamilton received similar praise from teammates after Penn State’s last home game when he became the program’s all-time leader in receptions. He added to that total thanks to some extra homework.

Hamilton said he and the rest of the receivers watched about seven Michigan games to prepare for the matchup. He knew what to expect against certain players, depending on where he lined up and where they lined up throughout the game. He made use of that knowledge to burn the Michigan secondary. Hamilton picked up 27 yards on a leaping grab over Michigan defensive back Tyree Kinnel on third down in the second quarter, and he later made a tough over-the-shoulder grab after beating Michigan’s Josh Metellus.

“Throughout a week’s course of time, you kind of see a generic and a little more in-depth look of what you’re going to go against,” Hamilton said. “But then having two weeks, you can see every single detail that goes down to how this guy’s going to play you, what he’s going to do if you release one way or the other.”

And he made adjustments during the game, too.

In the third quarter, he caught a few slants, including on third down with Michigan’s Lavert Hill draped on him to help Penn State march down the field and push its lead to 28-13.

“I was just trying to sell the inside fade,” Hamilton said of his slant routes. “I just gave him a had jab outside and he jumped out.”

Hamilton said he and the Wolverines secondary were “jawing” back and forth throughout the game, adding they quieted down once the Nittany Lions started to take control. He enjoyed the interaction and served as quarterback Trace McSorley’s top target against the Wolverines.

“You have to be able and willing to hit the go balls, the fade balls, the inside fade,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “Typically people can’t hit them enough to make them pay for playing that style of defense. Tonight we were able to do that. That’s in my opinion, the biggest difference in the game.

“When you’re able to complete long balls, shots down the field against a team that is trying to sack the quarterback and trying to play man coverage, you’re going to be difficult to deal with.”

It’s the type of performance teammates have come to expect from Hamilton.

“DaeSean balled out,” linebacker and fellow senior Jason Cabinda said. “He balled out. That’s the Ham we all know, and he’s consistently doing that week in and week out.”

Farmer added: “He’s a special kid and he just deserves it. ...I’m not surprised he’s making those plays because that’s what he does. That’s what he does at practice and that’s what he works for.”

This story was originally published October 22, 2017 at 1:06 AM with the headline "WR DaeSean Hamilton sleeps at Penn State’s practice facility — for games like this."