Penn State QB Drew Allar’s Big Day at West Virginia: What it Means

Elite quarterbacks change everything.

That’s a clear lesson football in the 21st century has taught all of us, right? Josh Allen in Buffalo. Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, etc., etc. The elite tier of the elite tier raise the play of teammates and make throws that few others can.

It’s also universal that Drew Allar has the physical tools to be elite, right?

If there were still doubts about that, Allar’s performance at West Virginia should have cleared them up.

Allar was 11 of 17 for 216 yards and three touchdowns, and he made a tangible difference with his 44 rushing yards.

Now, think about the big-play component that was present with 50-plus yard pass plays and a 40-yard touchdown run by Nick Singleton. Penn State Football offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki did well to stay creative and aggressive in a promising performance for both himself and his quarterback.

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What Penn State Football’s Blowout Means as Drew Allar moves forward

The junior made highlight-reel plays and had national attention on FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff,” which should also mean they show up on national radio and TV as analysts review big performances.

The 18-yard touchdown strike to Trey Wallace with 6 seconds left in the first half was special.

It was well-executed and aimed at the precise spot in the end zone for it to be catchable for Wallace. Best of all, Allar began his throwing motion before Wallace even made his break toward the corner.

Allar’s throw on the 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown by Wallace was a beautiful combination of precision, power, and touch. The window to hit Wallace wasn’t tiny, but the key to the play working as it did was Allar hitting Wallace directly in stride to not lose a step.

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Drew Allar feels faster

Allar said this after the game, and his running film probably backs up his assertion. But then he delivered key runs when his team needed them, and he gave us the gift of that stiff arm where he spiked Josiah Trotter off the turf.

The rushing performance, which featured no tackles for loss on his six credited carries, further moved PSU’s offense forward. James Franklin’s Lamar Allar nickname obviously won’t stick long term, but Allar clearly put in the work to be a more impactful runner.

“We call him Lamar Allar,” Franklin told reporters in Morgantown after the game. “I thought he ran better than people probably expected (from) last year. He dropped 10 pounds. I think he’s done a really good job in the weight room becoming more explosive.

“Obviously, mobility at the quarterback position is important, but if your quarterback can get you just two to three first downs a game with his legs, it changes everything.”

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The Allar-to-Wallace connection

Interpreting all the good here requires the perspective that both need to remain healthy and playing at a high level.

Still, the future of this pairing has a ton of upside with Allar’s clear physical gifts and Wallace’s combination of size, speed and strength. Wallace hauled in 5 of his 9 targets from Allar for 117 yards and two impressive scores. The makings are here to have an electric QB-WR duo.

On the bittersweet side: If Allar-to-Wallace keeps firing, odds increase that one or both players leave for the NFL after 2024.

Drew Allar and Andy Kotelnicki

Final point worth making: Kotelnicki seems to grasp that he has a quarterback who can make the rarest of throws. So, he put him in position to do it! Ask and expect Allar to be able to deliver a perfect ball anywhere on the field, because he has the mechanics, power and touch to do it!

MORE: 2024 Season Predictions for Penn State, Nittany Lions’ Playoff Outlook

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