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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.

Penn State Football, Drew Allar

Drew Allar Chokes Away Another Big Game | Penn State QB Report Card from 30-24 Loss to Oregon

Robert ShieldsDrew Allar, Penn State Football

Penn State Football, and starting quarterback Drew Allar had all of the opportunities to turn Saturday’s whiteout into a signature, legacy-defining win. Instead, for the third time in the last two seasons, an Allar interception at a crucial time sinks the Nittany Lions once again.

Penn State’s last three losses all have one thing in common; an Allar interception on the Nittany Lions’ final drive.

He’s what went wrong for the Nittany Lions quarterback against Oregon.

Drew Allar Report Card vs. Oregon

Penn State Football, Drew Allar
For the third consecutive Penn State loss, the game ended with a Drew Allar interception. (Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images)

No Rhythm

After all the talk from James Franklin about needing to get Allar into a rhythm early, Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki apparently had a different plan.

The first three quarters of Penn State’s offensive gameplan was plagued with inconsistent gimmick plays, with Allar playing mostly the part of a circus ringleader leading a band of misfit parts to trick plays that just didn’t work.

Until the third quarter, Penn State did not give Allar an opportunity to stand back in the pocket and throw the football, instead, it primarily relied on read option plays and the flailing run game.Through the first half, Allar completed only six of his 12 pass attempts for 45 yards, averaging an abysmal 3.8 yards per attempt.

The offense continued the horrendous slug fest through the third quarter, putting up only 3 points and 109 total offensive yards. However, down 17-3, Allar and the offense finally came alive. With 10:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, Allar and the offense finally unleashed the closest thing that Penn State has shown of a pro style offense that fits Drew Allar’s playing style, and Allar provided Penn State with its first touchdown of the game.

The four-play, 75-yard drive was capped off with Allar’s best throw of the season, a 35-yard touchdown pass to Devonte Ross.

On the Nittany Lions’ final possession before overtime, Allar and the offense once again marched 62-yards on a 15 play drive to tie the game and force overtime. Allar once again led the offense to a go-ahead touchdown in the first overtime, putting the Nittany Lions up 24-17.

However, after back-to-back Oregon touchdowns, Allar made the final critical error for the Nittany Lions.

On first and ten to start the second overtime possession for the Nittany Lions, Allar tried to force a pass to Luke Reynolds along the sideline that was intercepted by Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman, ending the Nittany Lions’ night and losing yet another top 10 matchup for James Franklin and company.

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Drew Allar Grade in Oregon Loss

Penn State Football, Drew Allar
Penn State’s bid to notch a top-10 victory over Oregon were undone by a crushing Drew Allar interception. (Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images)

 

In a vacuum, you can chalk Allar’s mistake up to a great play made by the defense.
But, when you look at the bigger picture, it is a theme of Allar making mistakes in the clutch. In each of Penn State’s last three losses, Allar has thrown an interception on Penn State’s final offensive drive, all on first down.
Allar has a history of forcing reckless throws in clutch situations, to the detriment of the Nittany Lions record. If Saturday’s game showed anything, it’s that Penn State will go as far as Drew Allar and the offense will take them, but Allar cannot be counted on to elevate the team in the clutch.

Grade: D

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Robert Shields
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