Is Penn State quarterback Drew Allar playing vs. Ohio State?

After an underwhelming first season as Penn State’s starting quarterback, former five-star Drew Allar has had a breakout year in 2024 under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. Allar led his Nittany Lions to a 6-0 start, but at the end of the first half in Week 9 against Wisconsin, he suffered an apparent knee injury that forced him into the locker room early, he emerged with a brace on his left knee, but was unable to return to the game. 

Backup QB Beau Pribula led Penn State to a 28-13 victory to get to 7-0 after trailing 10-7 at the end of the first half. Now, the No. 3 Nittany Lions are preparing to host the 6-1 No. 4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium in Week 10, and Allar’s status has been in doubt for the matchup. 

So far this season, Allar has thrown for 1,640 yards and 12 touchdowns with four interceptions. The junior QB is completing 71.3% of his passes, up from 59.9% as a sophomore in 2023. In last season’s 20-12 loss to the Buckeyes in Columbus, Allar only completed 18 of his 42 attempts for 191 yards and a touchdown with four sacks. 

While he’s not a dual-threat quarterback, Allar’s mobility has been vital to extend plays and find receivers downfield, especially on crucial downs such as the crucial 4th-and-10 conversion to wide receiver Julian Fleming against USC. 

Drew Allar latest injury update:

Early in the week, head coach James Franklin announced that Allar would be a game-time decision before the Noon kickoff at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. However, Allar did practice on Wednesday and appeared to be a full participant. 

Franklin was clearly hoping to make Ohio State prepare for both Allar and Pribula with no incentive to release information about the health of his quarterback prior to game day. However, ON3's Pete Nakos reported on Friday afternoon that Allar is expected to play after practicing this week.