Penn State QB Drew Allar draws Kerry Collins comparisons, Lions have issues to fix, and more of what they're saying
Penn State knocked out West Virginia 38-15 on Saturday night. The No. 7 Nittany Lions got touchdowns from three different players and first-time starter Drew Allar threw three touchdowns en route to the comfortable triumph at Beaver Stadium.
“I thought he did a really good job of managing the game from a decision-making standpoint,” head coach James Franklin said. “He’s extremely poised. Like we’ve talked about in the past, he’s mobile for a big guy who does a great job of climbing a pocket and keeping his eyes up. I was very pleased.
“And then on top of that we were able to spread the ball around. I think if I’m correct here to nine different receivers. That’s a positive as well. He was able to get a ton of guys involved in the game.”
It’s not just Franklin that had something to say after his team improved to 1-0. Find a sampling of takeaways from local and national media members below.
Allar draws Collins comparisons as hype train rolls along
As you can probably imagine, Allar was the focus of many writers after the game. He threw for the second most yards for a first-time starter in Penn State history by completing 21 of 29 passes for 325 yards. One columnist thought of Lions legend Kerry Collins after watching it.
“Kerry Collins made his first start against West Virginia in the last game between these teams, way back in 1992. The Lions scored 40 points on the road,” David Jones writes for PennLive.
“It’s probably been that long since Penn State has had a quarterback with the abilities of Collins. That man is playing for Penn State right now. Collins’ path to glory was hardly mistake-free. But he had the tools to navigate the trip and arrive at his destination. Drew Allar’s trek could be just as intriguing.”
Meanwhile, at Statecollege.com, Ben Jones says its too late to ease the hype and expectations surrounding the second-year Penn State passer from Medina, Ohio.
“Allar’s performance both in the box score and with your own two eyes makes the curiosity unavoidable in the other direction,” Jones writes. “He’s he the one to get the program over the hump? Is he the one to slay the dragons? And if he isn’t, is anyone?
“And that’s something of an insane situation to be in all of four quarters into his starting career. To opine about a program’s national title hopes because of a few nice throws against a not particularly good team. If Allar was going to ease into his growing expectations, that plan was left on the bus as he tossed beauty after beauty.”
Lions identify areas to fix
While most of the commentary on Saturday night’s win was good, there was some constructive criticism posted early Sunday morning. A majority of it focused on the kicking game. Sander Sahaydak missed two field goals and was replaced by Alex Felkins, who made a 25-yard boot in the second half.
“Penn State should have won by more in ways that aren’t really debatable,” BWI publisher Sean Fitz writes. “Twice in the second quarter the Nittany Lions stalled out in field goal range. Twice Sander Sahaydak pulled his attempts — a 38-yarder from the right hash and a 34-yarder from the middle of the field — to the right.
“Sahaydak was yanked for Columbia transfer Alex Felkins in the second half. Felkins hit his kicks and left the job open for at least another week. Penn State’s special teams issues are real, though.”
Mark Wogenrich of SI, meanwhile, flagged the few snapping issues that took place Saturday night.
“Center Hunter Nourzad might need to loosen his grip on the football,” Wogenrich writes. “Nourzad, who played guard last season, made a few high snaps that upended some plays’ early rhythms.”
Lions’ last score the talk of the Internet
Beau Pribula’s first college touchdown undoubtedly sent some fans into a frenzy and others into a tailspin. The five-yard rushing score with six seconds to go helped the Lions cover the 20.5-point spread and also pushed the game over its 50.5-point total. Suffice it to say, the Internet took notice
“A huge cheer erupted for a relatively meaningless touchdown there, and it’s not hard to figure out why, David Cobb writes for CBS Sports.
Writes Criag Meyer for USA Today:
“It was a gutting late development for bettors who went with the under on both the line and the over/under point total. ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, whose popular “Bad Beats” segment highlights moments where the line or over/under is changed in outlandish and sometimes hilarious fashion, weighed in on Twitter with a simple question:
“Are you kidding in State College?”
Final word: Penn State-West Virginia
We wrap up with one of BWI beat writer Nate Bauer’s three reactions to the Penn State victory.
“Franklin understands the potential at hand in Allar, demonstrated so expertly by his stadium-rattling 72-yard touchdown completion to KeAndre Lambert-Smith on the first Penn State possession of the game.
“He also understands the environment he believes necessary to ensure continued development from Allar. Tested from the onset by a West Virginia defense determined to pressure and confuse the first-time starter, Allar was poised. He made the plays that were in front of him without overdoing it and delivered a win.”
