Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1530530
3 2 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M F ollowing his team's battle with Or- egon in the Big Ten Championship Game, James Franklin was asked to size up the performance of junior quarterback Drew Allar. With Penn State having just lost to the No. 1 Ducks, 45-37, Franklin took a moment to contemplate the scope of the question. The Nittany Lions had been sparked throughout the game by Allar. He had helped undo an early 18-point deficit, turning the clash into a thrillingly com- petitive game. And, crucially, he'd done so by delivering the type of playmaking reserved for elite quarterbacks. "I think he had probably five or six plays that are as good as he's had in his career," Franklin said. "He had probably five or six of the better quarterback plays that I've ever been around." The performance was not filled entirely with highlights, though. While Oregon saw Allar at his very best at times, its defense also capitalized on his mistakes, coming up with a pair of key interceptions. The Ducks had been field- ing one of the Big Ten's better defenses throughout the 2024 season, but they weren't entirely responsible for the quar- terback's missteps. Rather, the consis- tency that has been a hallmark of Allar's ascent this season failed at times during the Lions' visit to Indianapolis. "He probably had four or five throws that he would like back," Franklin con- ceded. "Throws that he normally doesn't miss, that he missed." Highs And Lows Finishing the game with 20 comple- tions in 39 attempts for 226 yards and 3 touchdowns, Allar delivered some of the best passes of his career. He also con- tributed on the ground, totaling 54 yards and a touchdown on 5 runs. In the fourth quarter especially, Allar came up big, picking up first downs on carries of 22 and 13 yards. Flash Flash Forward Forward Brilliant at times against Oregon, Drew Allar will have another opportunity to show his progress in the College Football Playoff NAT E BAU E R | N AT E . B A U E R @ O N 3 . C O M Allar threw 3 touchdown passes in the Big Ten Championship Game to keep Penn State within reach of Oregon. He finished with 226 yards passing and 54 rushing, including another score. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL