Allar credits Clifford with guidance
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By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
LOS ANGELES -- Many in the Nittany Nation were pushing for a midseason quarterback change after the Nittany Lions were drubbed at Michigan, but Drew Allar wasn't among them.
The 6-foot-5 All-American freshman quarterback said Saturday at Rose Bowl Media Day that he was satisfied with his back-up role behind Sean Clifford.
"Just from a standpoint of developing -- learning from coach (Mike) Yurcich, coach (James) Franklin, and I can't say enough about what Sean has done for us in the quarterback room -- the ins and outs of what to expect has benefited everybody," he said. "Whoever was in there as the starter, I was supporting."
Allar did appear in nine of the Lions' 12 games and wound up completing 35 of 59 (59.3%) for 344 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
He also rushed 18 times for 52 yards and a score.
"I was glad to get the experience and play as much as I did," Allar, who came to PSU from Medina, Ohio, said.
Allar's most poised performance this season came in the season opener at Purdue. Clifford was hurt in the first half, and Allar came in to complete 2-of-4 for 26 yards including a dropped pass.
"The more experience you gain in anything, the better you're going to get," he said. "It was a great first step, and I was glad I was able to get in there."
In his first exposure to the media -- Penn State doesn't make freshmen available, but it's mandated by New Year's 6 Bowls -- Allar drew a pack of reporters but calmly handled the questioning.
Allar, along with fellow freshman Beau Pribula, enrolled in January, which jump-started his acclimation process.
He called that "a huge advantage from a developmental standpoint" and allowed him to get comfortable with class and winter workouts.
The biggest adjustment, he said, is "the speed of the game and preparing each week for the different defenses. (The game) slowed down since I've been here. Spring ball was faster for me but the more practice and game reps I got, the more it slowed down."
He said high school defenses don't require as many protections to deal with varying fronts and coverages.
"That was the biggest thing I've learned," Allar said.
He said he does not expect to play against Utah but will be ready if called upon.
"We're all out there supporting Sean," Allar said. "It's the last go-round for him, and I'm super excited for him."
Allar is the Lions' projected starter in 2023, but he's not looking that far ahead.
"I dreamed of playing in the Rose Bowl since I was a kid," he said. "I'm just looking forward to this next step and not to the future yet."
Franklin likes what he's seen from Allar but will reserve judgment until he plays regularly.
"I think the reps we were able to get him helps," he said. "But until you're sitting in that seat, you never truly know."
Pribula, a product of Central York High School, also credited Clifford with his transition.
"It's been an amazing experience," Pribula said. "Getting a spring ball and a fall camp and just to learn from Sean and Drew and CV (Christian Veilleux, who has transferred to Pitt). We have a great quarterback room. I've tried to soak up everything. Sean's been a big part of helping me develop. I can't thank him enough. He's been a great friend, taking me under his wing."
Pribula welcomes the opportunity he'll get this spring. Iowa's Jaxon Smolik also arrives with the 2023 freshmen class.
"The coaches always tell me to compete, and I'm a competitor myself," Pribula said. "It's always been a competitive quarterback room, and it will continue to be."
Yurcich, the Lions' offensive coordinator, called both players "very coachable."
"They're both really unbelievable kids as far as character and leadership and the intangibles of playing the quarterback position," he said. "Their leadership will continue to grow. They're very both strong competitors and push each other in a good way."