Penn State quarterback Drew Allar is known for his big arm, but it was his running power and quickness that were on display Saturday against West Virginia. Allar gained 44 yards on six carries, including four first-down runs, and energized the offense with his run game in the Nittany Lions’ 34-12 victory over the Mountaineers. The quarterback also moved well in the pocket, taking no sacks and few hits.
“We call him Lamar Allar,” Penn State coach James Franklin said postgame, referring to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. “I thought he ran better than people probably expected last year. He dropped 10 pounds, I think he’s done a really good job in the weight room becoming more explosive.”
Allar, who said he actually lost 11 pounds, worked with strength coach Chuck Losey this offseason to get leaner and more agile on his feet. Penn State’s roster lists him at 6-5, 235 pounds, and Losey described Allar as a “body composition guy” in July. Losey said that the staff’s goal was to lower Allar’s body-fat percentage, increase his lean mass and improve his movement qualities.
“You saw it during the spring; he’s moving around a lot more, and he’s going to have to be able to do that in the game, too,” Losey said of Allar this summer. “With any of our guys, we need them to be superior athletes. Movement has always been an area for Drew, when you look at our history and the types of guys we’ve had back there [at quarterback] with Trace [McSorley] and Sean [Clifford], we’ve always had some really good movement guys back there. And that’s always something that we’ve been trying to improve on with Drew.”
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Three things we learned from Penn State’s win over West Virginia
Allar said Saturday that he has been “intentional” about improving that aspect of his game. The quarterback worked with Franklin, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien to become a more willing and aggressive runner. Most importantly Saturday, Allar converted consecutive 3rd-and-long runs on Penn State’s scoring drive to start the third quarter.
“I think it’s just having more trust in myself when I feel the need to take off,” Allar said after the game. “It’s really more about making the defense respect me as a runner. … I’ve been intentional about it and I’m going to show it every week when I have the opportunity.”
That manifested in a stiff arm Allar delivered to the face of West Virginia linebacker Josiah Trotter in the second half. Allar was fired up, too, jawing at Trotter right after the play.
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Running back Nick Singleton said the play “got everybody hyped” on the Penn State sideline. He added that Allar’s willingness to run and put his head down has been exciting to see.
“He showed a little bit last year, but even more this year. He’s been crazy,” Singleton said. “He put in a lot of effort getting bigger, faster, stronger. He still has more to do.”
Allar ran for 206 yards and four touchdowns last season, gaining a career-high 49 yards against Michigan. It seems unlikely that Kotelnicki will call a significant number of designed runs for Allar, especially with gadget quarterback Beau Pribula playing an expanded role in the offense. But when the play breaks down, Allar’s willingness and ability to scramble to extend drives could be key for the Nittany Lions. It also will give opposing defenses one more thing to worry about.
“If your quarterback can get you just two to three first downs a game with his legs, it changes everything,” Franklin said. “I thought that showed up today.”
Up next
Penn State hosts Bowling Green on Sept. 7 in its 2024 home opener at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET on Big Ten Network.
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Sam Woloson has covered Penn State Athletics for the past three years and is currently the managing editor of The Daily Collegian. His work has also appeared in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Huntingdon Daily News and Rivals. Follow him on X @sam_woloson
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — West Virginia’s Democratic lawmakers say public education is facing a growing financial crisis, echoing warnings from state school officials.
“We have officially as House Democrats requested a special session. We can not wait,” Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, said. “If we wait to the legislative session, there will be more schools that close.”
Democrats want to change the enrollment based school aid formula, place guardrails on the Hope Scholarship and increase the minimum starting salary for teachers.
More than 100 West Virginia schools have closed over the last 15 years. Most of those closings have involved elementary schools impacting neighborhoods and small towns.
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Democrats said 20 more schools are on the chopping block.
Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey recognizes formula changes may be needed but did not seem in a rush when interviewed prior to the Democrats’ announcement.
“Well, we will look at them,” Morrisey said Thursday. “We want to find ways to solve the root causes of the problem. That’s what matters.”
Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, called for Morrisey to take action, arguing education issues can’t wait until next year.
“Once he gets his fair share of funnel cake and the Ferris wheel is packed off and goes to the next town, it’s time for us to get back to work, governor,” Pushkin said. “Call us back into special session. This cannot wait until the next session. We are in a crisis mode right now. We’ve got to save our schools and save our communities. We’re ready to get back to work and take up these important pieces of legislation.”
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State education officials recently warned some county school systems could be headed toward financial insolvency without additional funding.
Four people died in a fire at this mobile home in Junior PHOTO: Alan Coberly
JUNIOR, W.Va. — A late night fire in Barbour County has claimed the lives of four people.
The State Fire Marshal confirms the four adults died in the blaze at a home in the town of Junior. The fire department was alerted just before 11 p.m. Wednesday. They arrived to find a mobile home fully engulfed in flames along River Avenue in the town.
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The fire was out in 15 minutes and the bodies discovered.
The Fire Marshal has investigators on scene. All four victims were adults, but further information is not known.
MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — The Moundsville Police Department is investigating a pharmacy break-in that led to the theft of a large amount of narcotics.
Police said the burglary happened in the early morning hours of June 30. Investigators said the suspects broke a window, went behind the pharmacy counter and stole the narcotics.
Authorities believe the suspects are from outside the area.
Police said the suspects used a stolen Infiniti Q50. The vehicle was later recovered by Ohio authorities near Cambridge.
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The investigation is ongoing and involves law enforcement agencies in multiple states.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Moundsville Police Department at 304-845-1611.
