Beau Pribula Leads Penn State Football Back in 28-13 Win over Wisconsin | QB Report Card
2021 Iowa flashed through the minds of many Nittany Lions fans after Penn State starting quarterback Drew Allar went down with an injury in the final minute of the first half against Wisconsin.
Instead, backup quarterback Beau Pribula put on a clinic in the second half, leading Penn State to a 28-13 come-from-behind victory at Camp Randall.
Here is how both quarterbacks performed in Penn State’s win over the Wisconsin Badgers Saturday night.
Drew Allar
Drew Allar and the offense struggled in the first half with self-imposed mistakes, despite Allar’s elite play.
Allar started the game 12 for 13 passing with the lone incomplete pass being a key third down drop by wide receiver Julian Fleming.
Despite finishing the first half 14 for 18 passing for 148 yards, Allar and the offense managed only seven points in the first half. Allar was sharp throwing the ball Saturday, averaging 8.2 yards per attempt (down from his season average of 10.2 yards per attempt). On the final drive of the first half, Allar seemingly injured his left knee during a sack. After the injury, Allar exited the game and entered the locker room early with seconds remaining in the first half.
Allar warmed up in the second half, however, James Franklin said after the game that Allar didn’t feel like he could be mobile enough to run the offense in the second half.
In the post game press conference, Franklin noted that he told Allar ahead of the second half, “although you’re not having the role you imagined having, we need you. How you carry yourself, how you conduct yourself, how you interact with your teammates, how you help Beau, all that is going to be critical. We’re not going to be able to do this without you.”
Allar remained on the sideline heavily involved with Penn State quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien and backup quarterback Beau Pribula throughout the second half and celebrated with the team on the field after the win.
Allar’s health will be monitored moving forward this week for his availability against Ohio State. Overall, Allar played well, but didn’t put enough points on the board with the offense in the first half to get an A. I went with a B+ for Allar’s efforts in the first half against Wisconsin.
Grade: B+
Beau Pribula
Backup quarterback Beau Pribula was put in a tough situation in the second half in a hostile environment and with a three-point deficit.
However, Pribula led a gutsy comeback win for the Nittany Lions with the help of Penn State’s stout defense as the Nittany Lions come back to win 28-13 against the Badgers. Pribula was much sharper in the passing game than most expected in the second half, completing 11 of his 13 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 28 yards in the second half.
After a pick-six put the Nittany Lions up 1 in the third quarter, Pribula led Penn State on two 75+ yard touchdown drives to put the game away for the Nittany Lions.
With just a 1 point lead, Pribula led a 13-play 81 yard drive that ended with an impressive 1 yard touchdown pass to Khalil Dinkins to put the Nittany Lions up eight. After the Penn State defense forced a Wisconsin three-and-out, Pribula once again led a nine play 76-yard drive, using up 5:15 on the clock and putting the Nittany Lions up 15, effectively icing the game. Pribula had only one “bad” play in the second half, almost turning the ball over after a fumbled exchange on a read option, however Pribula was able to dive on the ball and get it back.
After the win, Penn State head coach James Franklin said he “was not surprised” at what Beau was able to do for the Nittany Lions in the second half. Franklin continued saying, “we have a ton of confidence in Beau.” Pribula balled out in the second half to keep Penn State perfect on the season and earned an A in my book.
Grade: A
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