QB grading: Drew Allar's performance against Nevada showed confidence

Penn State football's Saturday afternoon was expected with a 46-11 win over Nevada at home. The Nittany Lions (1-0) started off on a great foot, highlighting the difference makers that will define their 2025 season. Dani Dennis-Sutton on defense and the new-and-improved wide receiver unit were the standout components of Penn State's game.

Quarterback Drew Allar wasn't the star, but he put together a solid performance from the pass game to his confidence to making smart, quick decisions to take advantage of the non-conference opponent.

Allar had a 84.6 completion rate and 167.4 quarterbacking rating against the Wolf Pack. The opposing defense gave up a lot of access. In 2024, that would have led to Tyler Warren receptions one after another mixed in with some passing action with his running backs.

That wasn't the case in Allar's Week 1 performance.

Fourteen of Allar's 22 completions were to wide receivers. Hudson and Pena made up 13 of those with Devonte Ross posting one four-yard grab. This, in addition to two receptions from Grunkemeyer to Tyseer Denmark, marked the most wideout receptions recorded in a single game since 2024.

The third-year starting quarterback also hit Hudson in the end zone in the second quarter for a 31-yard touchdown reception. Footwork was a major focus of his in the offseason, and this touchdown alone highlighted that: getting out of the pocket, finding his target (Hudson) in the end zone, and shifting his body in one movement as one unit to get the ball out.

Allar didn't shy away from the opportunities. He hit the target time and time again, showcasing the chemistry he has with the wide receivers, the confidence he has in them, and the confidence he has in himself. It was a fresh, promising look to the offense that he looked more than comfortable with. It's what a national championship-vying team needs and Allar showed that the Nittany Lions have it early in the season.

"He made a couple out breaking throws that very few college players and a handful NFL quarterbacks can make," head coach James Franklin said in Monday's press conference.

Beyond the wide receiver connections, which were the most notable offensively for Penn State, Allar was efficient on the field. The Nittany Lions scored on each of their first nine possessions and he remained poised in third down situations. Allar made smart decisions and didn't let the pressure of moving the chains get to him.

With that being said, Allar didn't have an A+ performance.

After fumbling the ball on a high snap on third-and-goal, he immediately shifted his direction to recover it. The reaction time was excellent and his ability to stay calm allowed him to make those shifts in his game, but a mishap like that can be the difference in the Big Ten matchup. Likewise, settling for three can be the difference between a win and loss once Week 5 is underway. A few off-target throws, like one that went behind his receiver in the end zone, can force Penn State to try for a field goal. Any points matter, but the small adjustments to improve that completion percentage even more determines whether the offense gets three or six.

These non-conference games are also the perfect opportunities to get the wide receivers on the scoreboard more than once. Allar has the confidence. Now that Week 1 is wrapped up, he should take advantage of these next two weeks to target Hudson, Pena, and Ross in the red zone. He can't ignore his backfield, nor should he, but getting the wide receivers in the mix should be more of a priority before Week 5 rolls around.