Penn State didn't play freshman QB Ethan Grunkemeyer in blowout at Purdue; here's why
Penn State put backup quarterback Beau Pribula and a host of other backups in to run the offense with about three minutes to go in the third quarter of last Saturday’s eventual 49-10 route of Purdue. Pribula quickly ended that drive with a 49-yard scoring scamper. Head coach James Franklin’s team would go on to have the ball three more times in West Lafayette. Two of those opportunities ended with punts, while the third saw Pribula hit freshman Luke Reynolds for a score later in the fourth quarter. That connection made many wonder if the program had given any thought to giving freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkmeyer, this year’s third-team passer with second-year Lion Jaxon Smolik sidelined with an injury, a shot to play.
Franklin was not asked that question after the game. He was on Monday, however. And his answer was fairly telling.
“Beau needs and deserves as many reps that he can get,” Franklin said. “He’s been an unbelievable teammate. He’s been a huge part of our offense and our system. And, just like we saw a few weeks back, was able to go in there and win a game for us. That development is critical. And like I’ve said you before, whether it’s practice or games, if you’re trying to get three guys ready, a lot of times, you end up getting no one ready.”
In other words, prepping the third-stringer for game day is hard, and while not a worthless venture, close to it. Thus, barring an emergency, Penn State went to West Lafayette knowing it would not play its talented freshman passer.
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Penn State is getting Grunkemeyer plenty of work behind the scenes, however
The other thing Franklin made clear Monday is that, while Grunkemeyer is not getting game reps just yet, Penn State is developing him on the practice fields behind closed doors.
“The other thing is, and you guys don’t get to see it, but Grunk is getting pretty much live scrimmage work, about 24 reps, every Sunday,” Franklin said. “Some days are total live, the quarterback included. More days than not, It’s live except for the quarterback. But he’s getting a ton of those reps that Beau never gets. So it’s a fine line, but I think every rep that Beau can get is important.
“And I think when Grunk is in a similar position, he’ll want those reps as well. Whether it’s as the starting quarterback or the backup quarterback, he’s going to want every rep he can get too.”
