Trey Washington’s early takeaways from Penn State? Allar’s arm talent and an Arkansas vibe.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is an admirer of of Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
“He’s hard to beat,” Kiffin said this week. Ole Miss (10-2) faces off against Penn State (10-2) for the first time in history in the Peach Bowl on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT. and will be broadcast by ESPN.
“Takes care of the ball really well. Really good mixture of being able to throw the ball and then get out of trouble and make a play and make a first down with his feet.”
As far as Allar goes, it’s more of a love/hate thing for Trey Washington, Ole Miss’ leading tackler.
Washington is a defensive back. So, naturally, he despises what he calls “smart quarterbacks,” of which Allar, apparently, applies. Allar this season threw for 2,336 yards and 23 touchdowns to just one interception.
“I would say (Allar’s) arm talent stuck out,” during film study, Washington said. Washington had 75 total tackles as an Ole Miss third-year junior.
“He can make a lot of throws downfield, and he has an incredibly strong arm. You can tell he’s really smart. He takes his check-downs when they’re there. He’s not really forcing the ball down the field when he doesn’t have it.”
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Allar’s measured approach reminds Washington of Arkansas’ KJ Jefferson.
Also, they’re similar, big-bodied quarterbacks. Washington’s Rebels took down Jefferson’s Razorbacks, 27-20, in October. Ole Miss turned him over twice and held Arkansas to just 36 rushing yards, the fewest allowed by the Rebels to an SEC opponent in nearly a decade.
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Ole Miss had never recorded a 10-win regular season until Kiffin arrived in 2019. The Rebels have now done so twice. They’re in their second New Year’s Six. A win over Penn State would secure the program’s first-ever 11-win campaign.
“I would say Arkansas,” Washington said. “Obviously the quarterback is about the same size (as Jefferson). So, yeah, I would say Arkansas.
“Their receivers, Arkansas receivers, they’re long and physical — kind of like this team. And their offensive line was physical (and) big running backs as well.”
Washington was joined at the Peach Bowl podium by Rebel defensive linemen JJ Pegues and Jared Ivey. Here’s everything they had to say.
COLUMN: Ole Miss is showing a different focus and intensity leading into the Peach Bowl
