Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has flourished in a conservative offense that’s lacked explosive passing plays. Urban Meyer doesn’t think the Nittany Lions are saving their downfield strikes for Saturday’s game against Ohio State.
In an episode of On3’s Urban’s Take with Tim May, Meyer addressed the notion that Penn State has held Allar back early in the season. He rejected May’s question about whether James Franklin will “cut him loose” during the Big Ten matchup.
“When you hear that, Tim, it’s nonsense,” Meyer said. “I’ve heard people say, ‘Is the coaching staff saving something for Ohio State? Are they holding it back?’ What are you talking about? No. All due respect, that’s writers and fans, and no.”
Meyer continued that Allar is simply taking what the plays he can make.
“You have a young quarterback, you’re trying to get him as much success as possible,” he added. “You do what the defense gives you. When you see him throw a short pass, they’re not telling him to throw a short pass. The defense is probably telling him to do that because they’re covering the deep ones.”
Only three FBS teams have fewer plays of 20 yards or more than Penn State’s 16. Just one has gone for at least 40 yards, the lowest tally of all 133 schools.
Allar has a modest 1,254 passing yards in six games, but he’s nevertheless flourishing. The first-year starter has tossed 12 touchdowns — eight in his last three games — without a single interception for the undefeated Nittany Lions.
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Franklin has already recoiled at the notion that he should encourage Allar to throw it deep. The head coach claimed to be “uncomfortable” at a reporter asking last week if Franklin thinks the quarterback must look downfield more, even in coverage.
If Penn State did have any tricks up its sleeve, Saturday’s afternoon showdown against No. 3 Ohio State would be the time to use them.