Former Penn State football quarterback Beau Pribula had a back-and-forth battle in the "Border Showdown" against Kansas. Missouri won 42-31 on Saturday and Pribula showed poise even in the face of adversity.
On third-and-three in the first quarter with the Tigers down, Pribula decided to take the ball himself from the Missouri 25-yard line to escape the crowded pocket. It was a mistake that put the Tigers down 21-6 at the end of the first quarter as Jayhawk defensive lineman Blake Herold punched the ball out, leading Austin Alexander to return it 31 yards for a Kansas touchdown.
He didn't allow frustrations to take over in the heat of a rivalry game. Pribula led his team to a comeback win, recording 334 passing yards for three touchdowns and zero interceptions. His 30 completed passes of 39 attempts gave him a 76.9 completion percentage. Missouri also was four of five on fourth down conversions.
Former Penn State backup QB Beau Pribula earned his starting role at Missouri in Week 2
Wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. and tight end Brett Norfleet were his main targets as Pribula took control of the offense and solidified his newfound starting role.
He connected with Coleman Jr. 10 times for 126 yards and one touchdown, and Norfleet for 76 yards on seven completions and two touchdowns. Norfleet's 27-yard score with just over four minutes left of the fourth quarter put Missouri up 35-31 and it remained a Tiger lead from thereon out.
Back in Happy Valley, though, Nittany Lion quarterback Drew Allar wrapped up his lackluster performance against an unranked Florida International team at home. Allar finished with a borderline unacceptable 57.6 completion percentage, only connecting 19 times of his 33 attempts.
The wide receiver room was quiet compared to Week 1 and the tight end room wasn't anything special, though it was relied on while Allar's chemistry with the perimeter faltered. His frustration was evident one incomplete pass after another. The slow start of Missouri's game was fixed quickly and Pribula stepped up to the plate. The slow, fatigued start of Penn State's game persisted. It was unexciting and there was nothing that set the performance apart from 2024's scheme.
Allar didn't have any hold on the offense. Even with a 34-0 win, it wasn't the third-year starting quarterback who led the team. It was the defense shutting out the Panthers and running backs sparking the offense late in the fourth quarter that made the game.