The Penn State offense has been a force to be reckoned with through the first two games of the 2023 season. The Nittany Lions have outscored their opponents 101-22, and have really been able to move the football however they wished.

 

The driver of this offensive explosion has been new QB Drew Allar, who so far has been living up to his expectations as a former five-star prospect. Allar’s play has Nittany Nation buzzing, and some of the most prominent names in the Penn State community have been touting the sophomore’s performance this season.

 

Allar flashes physical tools

 

Coming into the season, Penn State fans new that Drew Allar had the potential to be a physical freak. With a five-star pedigree and NFL comparisons to superstar QBs like Josh Allen, everyone was excited to see what the 19-year-old Allar brought to the field.

 

And through two games, Allar has delivered. The sophomore is completing almost 80 percent of his passes, racking up 529 yards and four touchdowns in the process. After earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 1, Allar is drawing comparisons to other Penn State QB legends, such as Kerry Collins. 

 

But it was another Nittany Lion legend, Ki-Jana Carter, who explained how Allar is the missing piece to the Nittany Lion offense.

 

 

“We all knew – really college football [knew] – the eyes were going to be on him,” Carter said on a recent episode of the Ki and Juice exclusive HVU On-Demand podcast. “We knew what we had in the backfield…We had a good returning line, had good tight ends. The missing piece was, how would he evolve into an every play quarterback. And he exceeded my expectations more than I ever expected.

 

Carter went on to explain how Allar’s effortless passing has been what has stood out to him most this year. “He just throws it so easily. That’s the amazing thing – how easily he throws the ball.”

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This sentiment was echoed by head coach James Franklin after Penn State’s 63-7 blowout of Delaware in Week 2.

 

“No matter what the hype has been like, he’s still got to prove that he’s done it. Well, now I think the defensive coordinators moving forward, you’re in a tougher spot,” Franklin said after the game. “You got two running backs that can be challenging. And you got a quarterback that’s shown that he’ll do it and can make the throws and make the plays. So now, there’s enough evidence out there that as a defensive coordinator, you’re questioning, ‘What is our model for beating Penn State in terms of our offense?'”

 

Mental game has set Allar apart this season

 

As impressive as Allar’s physical tools have been, it’s the mental side of the game that has stood out to those inside the Lasch Building this year. James Franklin recently explained how Allar’s preparation has paid off in droves so far through two games.

 

“He’s just ‘steady Eddie,’ and never gets too high, never gets too low,” Franklin said last week. “You can pat him on the back. You can scream at him. He’s just ‘steady Eddie.’ And it’s preparation on a daily basis, on a weekly basis. Obviously, it’s a small sample size. But last year, I thought he prepared as if he was the starter, and he’s taking it to another level this year. [He’s] doing a great job of managing the game, the clock, situational football, all those things… I’ve been impressed with him.”

 

While Drew Allar’s play undoubtedly has those around the Penn State program impressed, his biggest tests still lie ahead. The first of these tests will be this upcoming week, when the Nittany Lions travel to Champaign to take on Illinois in the first road game of the season.

 

 

Upcoming Happy Valley United exclusive events

 

Happy Valley United will be providing exclusive access and events throughout the 2023-24 athletic year, including:

 

• American Cancer Society Coaches vs Cancer Reverse Car Drawing, Medlar Field, September 14
• Select members of the Penn State men’s basketball team will be attending the Coaches vs Cancer Reverse Car Drawing on September 14, at Medlar Field.
• The event is hosted by the American Cancer Society and will run from 6-8 p.m.

Penn State men’s basketball student-athletes attending the event are Ace Baldwin Jr., Rayquawndis Mitchell, Puff Johnson, D’Marco Dunn and Zach Hicks.

 

Be sure to check out this and all the exclusive experiences presented by Happy Valley United for the 2023 season!

 

Exclusive player insights, presented by HVU On-Demand

 

If you enjoyed this exclusive content, stay tuned for more exclusive insights throughout the 2023 season. HVU On-Demand will be providing exclusive access to player interviews and other content throughout the fall as part of the brand-new partnership between Happy Valley United, Up on Game, and Basic Blues Nation.

 

This initiative aims to promote NIL opportunities for the over 800 Penn State student-athletes represented by Happy Valley United and provide you with exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from your favorite Nittany Lions.

 

To donate, please visit Happy Valley United’s website. We Are!