Penn State football coach James Franklin said Monday he probably won’t decide who will start at quarterback against Ohio State until game time Saturday at noon (TV-FOX) at Beaver Stadium.
Drew Allar sustained an injury to his left knee late in the second quarter of the Nittany Lions’ 28-13 victory at Wisconsin and was replaced in the second half by Beau Pribula.
Allar tested his knee when Penn State (4-0 Big Ten, 7-0) returned to the field at halftime and told Franklin and others that he couldn’t go.
Pribula entered and completed 11-of-13 passes for 98 yards and one touchdown, rushed six times for 28 yards and led the Lions’ comeback after they trailed 10-7 at the half.
Franklin was asked what he needs to see from Allar in practice before he makes a decision.
“We’re going to have to get both of those guys reps Tuesday and Wednesday,” he said. “But it’s too early to tell at this point. Drew has played enough football that I think that decision will go all the way up to game time.”
Allar, who ranks seventh nationally in pass efficiency, completed 14-of-18 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown pass to running back Nick Singleton against Wisconsin. He overthrew Harrison Wallace III two plays after being sacked. He then walked to the locker room with a slight limp.
Pribula saw his most playing time since replacing an ill Allar last year against Rutgers. He attempted the most passes of his career and received big help from offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who tailored his play calls to Pribula’s skills.
“I thought Andy did a phenomenal job of calling the game based on Beau’s strengths,” Franklin said. “When he does go into the game, it does impact our running game and forces them (opposing defenses) to defend the field.
“Beau’s threat as a runner, just like the play-action pass, creates some opportunities. People may feel like they have to spy him so now you’re dropping one less person into coverage, which creates more opportunities to throw the ball down the field.”
Ohio State (3-1, 6-1), which ranks second nationally in total defense, limited Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola to 152 passing yards and 31 rushing yards last week in a 21-17 win.
With Allar’s status uncertain, the Buckeyes must prepare to face him and Pribula. Penn State’s quarterbacks have two very different styles, Allar being more of a classic dropback passer and Pribula more of a dual threat.
“When you’re preparing for Drew, Beau will have his few plays that we will sprinkle in per quarter,” Franklin said. “When the game plan flips and Beau’s in there, it changes things dramatically for the defense. That’s difficult.
“The threat of the quarterback run impacts the defense. The spike of more quarterback runs and scrambles affects the defense. Then the strength in the passing game, Beau can still do all of those things as well. It’s another level of concern it creates for the defense.”
Franklin said he and his coaches also have to prepare freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer, the third-team quarterback who has yet to play, and remind him to be ready. Grunkemeyer was a four-star prospect from Lewis Center, Ohio.
“There’s a lot of excitement in our program about Grunk,” Franklin said. “He’s really a nice blend between Drew and Beau. He makes some throws that are really impressive. There’s only so much time to go around.
“Grunk’s improvement has been dramatic. I think he has a special future.”
This week, though, most of the attention is on Allar and Pribula and who will start against the Buckeyes.
“I’ve already had some conversations with Andy and Danny (quarterback coach Danny O’Brien),” Franklin said. “We’ll continue to have conversations about it. I do think Drew has played enough football that it’ll go all the way up to game time till we make that decision.”
