With Drew Allar, Penn State has a soaring offense that will keep opponents guessing

STATE COLLEGE — A college football team does not need a player who can win the Heisman Trophy at both quarterback and running back to enter and possibly win the College Football Playoff. But, having three between the two spots certainly doesn’t hurt. And, after two weeks of play during the 2023 season, one thing has become clear: Penn State has as talented of a trio as anyone in the country.

The Nittany Lions came into the year knowing what was possible every time Nicholas Singleton or Kaytron Allen touched the football. What was unknown, however, was whether or not the hope and expectations tied to former five-star and Elite 11 finalist Drew Allar’s right arm would equal big plays and bigger moments once he ascended to the starting role vacated by Sean Clifford. Through two weeks, it’s hard not to agree with the assessment of 10th-year leader of the Lions James Franklin, which was “so far, so good” after his team demolished Delaware 63-7.

Good may be short-changing the Medina, Ohio native, however. He’s been spectacular. The ball comes out of his hands differently than it has compared to any other quarterback in the Franklin era. He’s poised enough to skip a screen pass and run up the middle to keep Penn State moving down field. There is not a spot on the field he can’t throw to with speed and accuracy. Allar can hit a slant in traffic just as easily as he can chuck it downfield or throw a long sideways pass at or near the line of scrimmage so a receiver can follow his cavalry of blockers downfield. There is not a quarterbacking play he is incapable of making. It’s why he’s thrived so far.

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Through two weeks, he has completed 43 of 55 pass attempts (78.18 percent) for 529 yards and four touchdowns. Even more importantly, he has yet to commit a turnover. And, considering he’s only led the offense for two games, he has an impressive command of the huddle and the presnap adjustments that are needed to allow Penn State to soar. Put it all together, and you have the makings of something special, which is a word many have used to describe the quarterback since his high school days.

“I think the biggest thing is, obviously he showed signs last year but it was a small sample size,” Franklin said after the Delaware win. “This training camp as well as these first two games, there are a ton of plays to evaluate, and what you guys are now getting to see, is what we saw all training camp. It’s exciting to build on. It really is.

“I think if you’re the first two opponents, you say, I’m not going to let Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen beat us. I’m going to make a first-time starting quarterback prove that he can do it no matter what the hype is like. Now, the defensive coordinator moving forward, you’re in a tougher spot. You have two running backs who are challenging and a quarterback who has shown that he can do it and make the plays.”

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Allar has made plenty of them. More will come in the future. He is described by teammates and coaches alike as a calm and poised individual who never gets too high and doesn’t let self-doubt creep into his mind. He’s a vocal leader but not an arrogant or ignorant one.

Gurard Saleem Wormley laughed as he recalled hearing Allar use a swear word for the first time in two years during the West Virginia game. He wasn’t doing so to admonish his teammates, however. Instead, he wanted to get their attention so he could put them in the best position possible to succeed. That’s the kind of leader he is. Allar has a team-first mentality that isn’t worried about completion percentage or touchdowns. It’s about Penn State winning, no matter the cost, and no matter who ends up in the spotlight at the end of the day.

“He’s just steady eddie,” Franklin said. His preparation on a daily basis, on a weekly basis’ obviously it’s a small sample size, but last year I thought he prepared as if he was the starter. And, he’s taking it to another level this year. He’s doing a great job. I’ve been impressed with him. We have a larger number of plays to evaluate situations, so there are a ton of things to build on. But so far, so good.”

Allar is happy with how his first two starts have gone. It’s not only because of how he’s played. It’s also because Penn State won. He was not the touchdown leader in the Delaware game. Nicholas Singleton was with three. And that’s OK with No. 15, as long as the victory bell is rang at the end of 60 minutes. So far, it has been.

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“I think we’ve been really well-balanced for through the first two games,” Allar said. “And I think we take pride in that. Because there are times when we’re going to have to run the ball, and we’re going to be able to do that, and we’re going to have to sometimes throw the ball, and I think we’re going to be able to do that well.

“So I think it’s just really taking advantage of what the defense is going to give us. Because, the defense can’t take away everything on the field just That’s how football works. They’re always going to be giving up something. So, we just have to be keen to what they’re giving up and just take advantage of that as much as as much as possible.”

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It is a fact as old as time in football. And, with how Penn State has played on offense to start the season, it must be one that is and will keep future opposing defensive coordinator up at night. Do you put all of your focus into stopping Singleton and Allen while forcing Allar, his receivers, and tight ends, to beat you? Or, do you try and stop Allar and hope that Singleton and Allen never get going enough to make enough game-changing plays to cause your team to lose? It’s an impossible decison. But, it’s one that Allar and co., are now forcing opponents to make. That should make Penn State fans happy, and hopeful, moving forward.

“I know we have a tough challenge [moving forward],” Allar said. “The Big Ten is one of the best, if not the best, conference in college football. So I mean, we’re going to see a lot of different defenses. We’re going to see a lot of talented players. But, I think throughout the week the coaches will get us prepared to play whoever we have that weekend. They’ve done that the first two weeks really well, and I’m just looking forward to keep building off that.”