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NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Drew Allar Dazzles as Penn State Football Makes Program History | QB Report Card

Drew Allar, Penn State Football

Drew Allar and Penn State Football did something that has never been done in Penn State’s storied history.

The Nittany Lions put up 718 total yards Saturday against the Kent State Golden Flashes to move to 3-0 on the season and finish Penn State’s non-conference slate unbeaten for the seventh consecutive season under head coach James Franklin (excluding the 2020 season where Penn State did not play non-conference games).

In the final “tune-up” game before Penn State starts conference play, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar and the offense changed a slow start into a record-breaking day, with Allar leading the way with 309 passing yards and three touchdowns (and 26 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground).

Drew Allar Leads Balanced Penn State Offense to Blowout Win

Drew Allar, Penn State Football
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) tucks the ball in and scampers toward the sideline in the first half of an NCAA football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa.

Drew Allar and the Penn State offense started slow Saturday, scoring only once in Penn State’s first three drives of the day.

Drive one ended with a Beau Pribula interception just after Drew Allar and the offense were getting into a rhythm on a nine-play, 51-yard drive. Allar and the offense responded well on the Nittany Lions’ second drive, with Allar completing all four of his passes on the drive for 59 yards, capped off by a 16-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Warren.

Penn State and the offense was forced to punt on the third drive after Allar was pressured heavily deep in Penn State’s territory by Bowling Green after starting at the three-yard line. After punting on this drive, however, Penn State would go on to score touchdowns on the next five consecutive drives, putting the game firmly out of reach.

Allar impressed Saturday in similar fashion to his first two games this season, showing off increased mobility in the pocket and athleticism taking off down the field and proving that Penn State’s offense under Andy Kotelnicki is different than under Mike Yurcich last season by throwing the ball down the field with regularity.

On the day, Allar completed seven passes over 15 yards, four of which were over 30 yards. Importantly for Penn State, Allar and the Nittany Lions offense also got more players involved catching the ball than either game before this in 2024.

Ten different Nittany Lions caught passes Saturday, with six of those being Nittany Lions receivers (the previous high for Penn State this season was two receivers).

Allar exited after the first drive of the second half, with an impressive 309-yard, three touchdown performance in the books in a bit over 31 minutes.

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Drew Allar Grade: A

Penn State Football, Drew Allar
Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions speaks with quarterback Drew Allar. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Allar and the offense were impressive against a completely overmatched Kent State squad.

I graded Allar an A on the day. On the third drive of the day, I would have liked to see better decision making from Allar avoiding the sack and throw away against a struggling Kent State squad, but that was Allar’s only blemish on an otherwise fantastic afternoon.

Allar has clearly improved in both decision-making and accuracy from last season and is putting himself in a position to quickly rise up draft boards if his play continues in the Big Ten schedule.

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Drew Allar
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Penn State Football Reporter at NittanyCentral
Robert Shields covers Penn State Football for Nittany Central. As a Penn State graduate, Robert has covered Penn State football since 2019, but had been a fan of the Nittany Lions for well over a decade. During his undergraduate education, Robert was a manager in the athletic department of a division III school, working in various aspects of athletic management at football, soccer, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse games.
Robert Shields
Drew Allar Dazzles as Penn State Football Makes Program History | QB Report Card
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