Penn State football: Why Drew Allar winning Big Ten Player Offensive Player Of The Week is a major deal
By Sean Labar
Penn State football made a major statement in Saturday’s 35-15 win over West Virginia — and new starting quarterback Drew Allar was as good as advertised — finishing the game completing 21 of his 29 passing attempts for 325 yards and three touchdowns.
On Tuesday morning, the Nittany Lions’ sophomore signal caller was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.
Why is this such a big deal?
Allar — who entered the game with massive expectations after an offseason filled with hype — didn’t seem remotely fazed and looks like he can be the difference maker needed to help propel the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff.
He was calm, poised and completed several difficult throws on the run and from tough angles. He added an element to Penn State’s offense that hasn’t been there during the James Franklin era.
Penn State could have the top quarterback in the Big Ten
After Week 1, it looks like a two-horse race in terms of the best quarterback in the Big Ten. Allar and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy put together stellar performances, while Kyle McCord — the quarterback for Ohio State, the only Big Ten team above the Lions in all of the national rankings other than the Wolverines— struggled against a sub-par Indiana team.
Statistically, McCarthy had a slightly better completion percentage than Allar, but it came against East Carolina, a team with less talent on the defensive side of the ball than West Virginia. McCarthy finished the day 26-of-30 for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Still Allar’s 325 yards through the air without any interceptions trumped McCarthy by a significant margin.
The most notable reason Allar’s Week 1 performance was so notable was Ohio State’s struggle at quarterback against Indiana, a team that finished 120th in the country in total defense in 2022.
The Buckeyes were significant favorites over the Hoosiers, but were sloppy throughout the 23-3 win, especially on offense.
McCord — who appears to have won Ohio State’s starting quarterback job — finished the day 20-of-33 for 239 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
If Allar can produce like this the rest of the season, Penn State will be more than capable of beating Ohio State, and could give Michigan a tough challenge when the Wolverines come to Happy Valley on Nov. 11.
There’s no understating Allar’s Week 1 performance and the Big Ten recognized it in a significant way.