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Penn State practice highlights: West Virginia game week

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•08/31/23•

ThomasFrankCarr

Drew Allar Penn State Football On3
Photo: Ryan Snyder/BWI

Here’s your look at Penn State practice with highlights from Blue White Illustrated. If you want to get an inside look at what’s going on each week, subscribe to the YouTube channel for a fresh batch of videos each week. 

All eyes on Drew Allar

Drew Allar is definitely not the starting quarterback on Saturday.

“I mean, he’s played, so we kind of have an understanding of that, but there’s a difference being the starter and playing starter-type reps. So, obviously, at the end of the day, I want him to continue to play like he did last year with poise and really kind of a really good understanding of how to manage the game. I also want him to let the plays come to him,” said head coach James Franklin after practice on Wednesday.

Okay, so Franklin won’t make an official announcement, but you get what’s going on here. Franklin went on to say that he wants Allar to let the game come to him and not force anything. The 6-5 quarterback has the poise and skills to be elite, but he needs to get through the first few games undefeated to get the experience Penn State needs him to have for the team to reach its desired goals. 

Singleton and Allen lead the way

But Allar isn’t stepping on the field alone. In fact, you heard Franklin say he wants Allar to know he doesn’t have to do it all on his own. The players that will help him? How about potential All-everything candidate Nick Singleton? Singleton’s explosive running style and violence at contact could help exploit a West Virginia defense that has four new starters in the front seven. He and Kaytron Allen will likely be the engine that makes the Penn State offense go in game one and the rest of the 2023 season. 

On the opposite side of the ball, the Penn State linebackers are practicing their interception skills. West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene brings a dynamic element to his game on the ground, but he threw three interceptions in two games to end the 2022 season. If his gun-slinging ways aren’t behind him, someone on the Penn State defense could come up with the ball. 

More gameday coverage in 2023

Join Blue White Illustrated for a live tailgate show three hours before kickoff of every Penn State football game in 2023! We’re hosting the Penn State Football Tailgate show in conjunction with 7mountainsmedia in order to bring you a complete gameday experience. Check out the show at 4:30 on 99.5 The Bus in State College or on the Blue White Illustrated YouTube Channel. Then tune in after the game for the live postgame show!

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