Game Coverage

Young QB Allar lives up to billing

PSU football commentary

UNIVERSITY PARK -- James Franklin approached this season with the idea that he didn't want first-year starting quarterback Drew Allar to shoulder too much of the load early.

So much for the preseason plans.

Largely because of Allar, the Nittany Lions controlled their season opener and beat West Virginia, 38-15, Saturday night before 110,747 at Beaver Stadium.

There were plenty of areas in which the No. 7 Lions did not play to their ranking -- defensively at times, suspect red-zone offense and certainly special teams -- but quarterback play was not one of them.

Allar completed 21-of-29 for 325 yards and three touchdowns. He was not intercepted.

The sophomore showed a little bit of everything -- actually a lot of everything.

Asked how he felt he played, Allar said, "I feel really good."

Franklin did, too.

"That's the Drew that we saw in preseason camp," he said. "That's the Drew we saw in unlimited reps last year in terms of winning the game. Just feels very poised and competent."

Allar threw the deep ball well, showing zip and touch. He bought time in the pocket, didn't panic at the first sign of pressure, threw well on the run and led his receivers nicely.

"I thought he did a good job showing poise and stepping up in the pocket," Franklin said.

Most of all, Allar appeared in total command at the line of scrimmage and inspired confidence in the Lions.

"He did a really good job managing the game from a decision-making standpoint," Franklin said.

Allar looked deep and checked down, spreading the ball to eight different receivers.

"The relationship with the receivers is really good and the work we put in during the offseason paid off," Allar said.

He had the poise to avoid sacks, once gunning the ball out of bounds with a WVU defender draped on him.

Franklin said West Virginia played a coverage that put the onus on a young quarterback to correctly read the defense, and Allar responded.

"That's a smart (defensive) plan for a first-time starter, but Drew was able to execute," Franklin said.

Franklin only saw one throw he was critical of, and that's when Allar undershot KeAndre Lambert-Smith over the middle in the end zone but WVU's Beanie Bishop dropped the interception.

"We were fortunate," Franklin said. "He's got to put that ball up higher."

Allar agreed, saying, "I put that one in harm's way."

The final score wasn't overly impressive as the Lions missed two short field goals and didn't finish another drive due to one of three dropped passes that could have given Allar five TDs on the night.

Trey Wallace made seven catches for 72 yards, and Lambert-Smith added four for 123 yards and two touchdowns by consistently gaining separation.

"I feel like it shows the offense that the receivers are dependable," Lambert-Smith said. "We can be balanced."

Lambert-Smith dropped a pass over the middle in the third quarter that was a little low but could have gone for another 70-yard touchdown.

"I've got to make that play," he said.

Other than that, the receivers, especially Lambert-Smith, did well to find creases when the initial read broke down.

Allar said the Lions' receivers "know my mentality when I escape the pocket."

And that's to throw it deep.

Sean Clifford was underappreciated because the Lions didn't beat Ohio State, which stoked the anticipation for Allar.

And he more than justified it.

Though Clifford was drafted and is now the backup quarterback with the Green Bay Packers, one thing he didn't do as well as Allar -- at least Saturday -- was keep his eyes downfield.

Clifford scrambled for a ton of big first downs during his tenure, but Allar seems more comfortable sticking in the pocket a bit longer.

"He's extremely poised," Franklin said. "He's mobile for a big guy who does a great job of climbing a pocket and keeping his eyes up."

All in all, Penn State could not have expected a better showing from Allar, who took it in stride.

"I really didn't get nervous," he said. "I get more anxious, but it's a credit to the coaching staff and the whole team. We prepare and don't leave any stone unturned, and that leads to confidence for the whole team."

Their new quarterback didn't take long to earn that confidence.

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.