Penn State Football head coach James Franklin took questions from the media Tuesday at his first post-bye week press conference.
A few of the questions centered around the need for more explosiveness on the offense and any work done during the bye week on that facet of the offense.
While Franklin did not outright give certain answers regarding the deep passing game, his answers may have revealed two key details about Penn State’s passing offense.
Here is what was revealed during Tuesday’s press conference:
Penn State’s lack of deep passes not a result of a lack of trying
Penn State Football fans have been clamoring for more deep passes by the offense, believing the offense to be overly conservative this season.
While the offense has been very conservative, at least in terms of preventing turnovers (a stat that Drew Allar leads the nation in), Franklin revealed Tuesday that a lack of deep passes may not be the result of a lack of trying.
During a question on Drew Allar’s ability to not turn the ball over, Franklin complimented Allar in not forcing the ball downfield when the coverage does not allow it, even if a deep shot is called. Frankling noted that Allar has a good recognition of where his tight ends and running backs are at all times and checks the ball down to avoid forcing the ball into coverage.
Further, in an exchange James Franklin called “uncomfortable” later in the press conference, Franklin noted that Penn State would never “chuck it deep no matter what”.
The answers to these questions revealed that Penn State has called more deep shots than Allar has attempted this season.
For one reason or another, whether it be that a receiver isn’t open down the field or for some reason Allar had to scramble or check it down before a receiver was open, Penn State Football has called deep shots that have not been completed.
At this point in Allar’s development, the Penn State staff is satisfied with Allar’s choice not to force the ball down the field and take a chance at an interception.
Most pass attempts without an INT this season:
🎯 Drew Allar: 158 pic.twitter.com/zKAjC8J7RN
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 4, 2023
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Drew Allar/Wide Receiver connection will benefit from the return of Harrison Wallace III
Another question was asked of Franklin regarding the health of the team, specifically JB Nelson.
While Franklin did not reveal any new details regarding Nelson, Franklin did reveal that the team was overall in a good place after the bye week. When asked about the connection between Allar and the wide receivers, Franklin noted “it’s a process” where Penn State “made progress” during the bye week and during the season.
Franklin mentioned that the trust between Allar and the receivers was impacted by Harrison Wallace’s injury, and that Penn State and Allar should benefit from Wallace’s return from injury.
Franklin on trust between Allar and receivers: “it’s a process”. Have “made progress” this week and this season. The trust between Allar and the receivers have been impacted by injuries (Wallace III).
— Penn State FB Thoughts (@PSU_FB_Thoughts) October 10, 2023
Penn State’s offense is still evolving under first year starter Drew Allar.
With Harrison Wallace III back in the fold in return from injury, Penn State will look to hit the ground running and further develop the passing game. If Penn State is able to continue calling deep shots to stretch the field, especially with Wallace III back in the lineup, Penn State’s entire offense, including the running game, could benefit.
MORE: National Analyst Makes BOLD Call on Penn State’s Big Ten Chances
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Education: Saint Vincent College, Penn State Law School
Location: Washington, DC
Experience:Robert Casturo has covered Penn State football for NittanyCentral since 2022. Casturo previously covered Penn State football through a social media presence (@PSU_FB_Thoughts on X) since 2019. Casturo earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Vincent College in 2015, where he was a punter for 1 season on the Saint Vincent College football team and worked in the athletic department for 2 years as a student manager. Casturo earned his JD from Penn State Law in 2018 where he was a senior editor of the Penn State Law Review.
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