By all accounts, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar had a good season last year, passing for 2,631 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. Not turning the ball over is excellent, but not pushing the ball downfield is … not so good.

If Allar is going to silence the critics, and the Nittany Lions are going to finally take the next step and make the College Football Playoff in its first year of expansion to 12 teams, the junior quarterback will need to make some key strides.

Here’s a look at what Drew Allar must improve on in 2024.

Drew Allar Must Clear These Key Benchmarks for Penn State

Average 8.5 yards per pass

Allar maintained an average of 6.8 yards per pass during the 2023 season.

However, in the upcoming season, there’s a glimmer of hope as he has the potential to elevate this to a promising 8.5 yards per pass.

By being more aggressive in pushing the ball downfield, Allar can create more opportunities for the Penn State receivers, even in one-on-one coverage, sparking excitement for the upcoming season.

With the arrival of new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, the Penn State offense is on the brink of a transformation.

The promise of a more explosive and dynamic offense is a hope and a tangible expectation.

Under Kotelnicki, Kansas averaged 9.4 yards per pass this year. The Jayhawks’ three top receivers averaged over 16 yards per catch.

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Surpass 3,200 yards passing

 

With a more explosive play caller, who has 3,200 yards, should be an easy target for Allar to hit.

Opponents will be gearing up to stop the run, leaving man downfield options down the field.

The success of Penn State’s passing game will depend on the receivers’ ability to get open and Allar’s trust in their ability to make plays.

This collective effort is a crucial factor in the team’s performance.

Receiver Julian Fleming should be able to help out Allar this year.

Likewise, Penn State’s passing game also involves the tight ends, led by Tyler Warren (34 catches, 422 yards, 7 TDs in 2023), and the running backs Nick Singleton (26-308-2) and Kaytron Allen (14-81-1). In fact, look for those two
position groups to be much more involved in 2024.

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Throw Under 10 Interceptions

With Penn State looking to be more explosive under Kotelnicki, there should be more chances for down-field throws, which could result in more interceptions.

Allar does an excellent job caring for the ball; even with more down-the-field throws, INTs should be minimal.

Penn State’s success will lie in what Allar and the passing game can do. If they are successful, the Nittany Lions should make the college football playoff.

MORE: Bold Predictions for Allar’s 2024 Season

 

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