Penn State players react to Drew Allar's season-ending injury: 'We’re going to just be there for him'

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton had a look of shock on his face and could only muster a surprised “ohhh” verbally when a reporter relayed to him on Saturday night that head coach James Franklin had said moments earlier during his own news conference that senior quarterback Drew Allar is out for the season due to an injury he suffered late in the Lions’ 22-21 loss to Northwestern. After taking a moment to process the news, the senior said what is now on the mind of many: “That’s unfortunate.”

The news is very unfortunate, indeed. That’s true for the Ohio native who truly gave everything he had to this program. It’s true for the Nittany Lions, who are left to pick up the pieces with a 3-3 record at the midway mark and six games to go with a backup quarterback. And, it’s true for a fan base that had such high hopes — and rightfully so — for this season, all of which have been all but dashed and are now officially out the window.

“I love Drew,” offensive lineman TJ Shanahan said. “He’s a great leader. He’s a great person. And I think he’s one hell of a quarterback. So, I mean, it just sucks to get that news for a guy that has worked so hard all season just to be the best person he can be and be the best leader he can be. So like, my heart goes out. We’re going to just be there for him. And, you know, I know [Ethan Grunkemeyer] is next up. So, you know, just being there for him too, as he kind of transitions into the role he’s going to transition into. And just, I got nothing but love for Drew.”

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Added receiver Devonte Ross:

“I love Drew, man. That’s unfortunate. It’s a tough situation, just know him as a person, and knowing how much football means to him, and this team means to him. So it’s tough. But, I know it’s next man up, and I know whoever we got from behind him will do a great job, and we’ll rally behind whoever that is, and try to do our best for him.”

The next man up is redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer. If there is any consolation to this situation, is that Penn State gets a half-season audition for him and third-stringer Jaxon Smolik to battle ahead of the 2026 season. But, that’s hardly important to anyone right now, because it means the season is lost, and so is Allar, someone who put all he had into this program and now sees his time end on the sourest note imaginable.