Franklin makes the right call on QB battle

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Penn State coach James Franklin wants to make the first quarterback battle his team has had in four years a competition until the season opener.

While it's understandable and maybe even honorable to keep it open, Drew Allar was the favorite to win the job over Beau Pribula, and there wasn't anything that would change fan opinion after Saturday's Blue-White Game.

Yes, Allar led his Blue team to a 10-0 victory over the White, but the score is about as important as a preseason game or an all-star game in any sport.

What is important, as far as spring football is concerned, is Allar showed some big-time throws as he went 19-for-30 passing for 202 yards for the day.

There may have been some inconsistencies, but some of that can also probably be credited for a superb defensive effort for both the Blue and White squads.

It's also important that there may have been an emergence of a badly-needed third wideout in Omari Evans, who caught five passes for 80 yards and scored the lone touchdown of the day.

"Omari really stepped up, and we need a third wideout to step up," Franklin said. "That was exciting to see him make some plays out there."

"Omari is a really good receiver," Allar said. "He did some really good things throughout the spring, today especially. He created a lot of separation at the top of his routes."

And the most important detail of all? There were no injuries in the game. Some notable players like offensive lineman Olu Fashanu and tight end Tyler Warren didn't play Saturday, but it's likely close to everyone will be ready to go once camp comes around in late summer.

Pribula, a redshirt freshman, went a combined 10-for-26 for 92 yards and an interception for the day.

He got a few reps with the Blue team, as well as being the full-time guy for the White. It also didn't help Pribula that he was a sitting duck for a relentless defensive line -- led by Dani Dennis-Sutton -- that got after him all day.

If it were a game in September rather than April, you would be a little more concerned for Pribula's safety.

But even with Allar being the clear No. 1 right now, Franklin is doing everyone a favor by keeping the QB competition open.

It's pretty easy to see that Franklin wants to keep Pribula around, even though his chances of beating out Allar for the job are so slim.

And why shouldn't he? Pribula is a Pennsylvania kid from Central York High School. He was rated the No. 6 dual threat quarterback in the nation coming out of high school, and he fits Franklin's system pretty well.

Plus he needs a backup to Allar.

It wouldn't be out of the question for Pribula to get a few reps during the season, much like Allar did last season while Sean Clifford was rounding out his lengthy career as a Nittany Lion.

We also can't forget that if Allar is as good as he's advertised, he will probably bail after the next two seasons for the NFL. If that would happen, Pribula would still be a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining.

No, Saturday probably wasn't Pribula's finest hour as a quarterback, but how much stock can you put in a spring football game that counts as the last of 15 practices in a five-week span?

Actually, Pribula put that sentiment in words perfectly.

"Really the spring game is just another practice in the stadium with the fans," he said. "You do want to have that aspect there to get used to it. It was good to get that again."

Yep. In the words of Philadelphia 76ers great Allen Iverson, 'We're talking about practice, man.'

Andy Stine can be reached at astine@altoonamirror.com.