Seven months ago, Penn State quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien was asked where he wanted Drew Allar to improve in 2024.
One of the first areas that O’Brien mentioned was Allar’s leadership, how he wanted him to be more vocal and a steadying influence on his teammates.
Allar has a more commanding presence at quarterback for fourth-ranked Penn State (5-1, 8-1), which travels to Purdue (0-6, 1-8) for a Big Ten game Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (TV-CBS) at Ross-Ade Stadium. He’s more demonstrative than he was last season.
“That’s always who he’s been,” O’Brien said Thursday. “He’s wearing it on his sleeve a little bit more. He’s always been an elite worker. He lives in the building. He puts so much time into it.
“Now you’re just seeing those emotions come out publicly. A lot of that is his comfort with the guys and the trust he has in them and they have in him. It’s been kind of cool to see.”
A junior from Medina, Ohio, Allar ranks eighth nationally in pass efficiency. He’s improved his completion percentage and his passing yards per game, per attempt and per completion.
He’s completed 70.3% of his throws for 2,006 yards and 13 touchdowns with five interceptions.
After missing the second half of a win last month at Wisconsin with a knee injury, Allar went 12-for-20 for 146 yards with an interception in a 20-13 loss to Ohio State. He bounced back last week by going 20-for-28 for 220 yards and one TD in a 35-6 blowout of Washington.
“It’s just his mental toughness,” O’Brien said. “We talked about it all offseason and during the year each week. There are going to be times in every game when things don’t go the way that we planned.
“It’s not whether that happens or not; it’s how we respond to it that’s going to define us. I’m very proud of how he’s responded to each of those moments. He’s been awesome with that.”
Allar rarely has looked flustered or panicked during his second season as Penn State’s starting quarterback. He’s avoided several sacks while continuing to look downfield and has gained yardage with his improved mobility on scrambles.
“We talk every week about preparing well enough so that you’re not thinking on the field,” O’Brien said. “You’re just playing and reacting with confidence. It’s never going to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Lean on your preparation.
“I think you’re seeing him just playing on Saturdays.”
Beau Pribula filled in nicely when Allar was injured at Wisconsin, completing 11-of-13 passes for 98 yards and one touchdown in a 28-13 comeback win.
Pribula, the former Central York star, has gone 19-for-24 passing for 204 yards and three TDs and has rushed 23 times for 141 yards and two scores.
“You saw him in the Wisconsin game,” O’Brien said, “not only his ability to throw on the move and run the ball but to work through progressions in the pocket. He’s made tremendous strides there. That’s where his biggest area of growth has been.
“He can hurt you from the pocket. He’s not just a Wildcat guy who’ll throw it when necessary or as a gadget. I’m very proud of that growth.”
Freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer and redshirt freshman Jaxon Smolik are behind Allar and Pribula. Grunkemeyer, a four-star prospect from Lewis Center, Ohio, has impressed his coaches and teammates with his arm strength.
“The thing about Grunk is that he’s just so hungry,” O’Brien said. “He’s fortunate to walk into a room with guys who are wired like Drew and Beau are and to learn how to prepare and how to do all the other stuff from an intangible standpoint.
“He can spin that thing, man. We have a really good room that way. I’m very lucky.”
Smolik, a three-star prospect from West Des Moines, Iowa, hasn’t fully recovered from a “long-term” injury he suffered in March. He has been in uniform for a few home games this season.
“Jaxon has had as great of a rebab as you can have,” O’Brien said. “He’s been super locked in. He knows the game plan every week inside and out. He’s attacked his rehab. He’s doing everything he’s allowed to do right now. I’m super excited to get him back when the time comes.”
