Penn State QB Drew Allar Gets Brutally Honest On Ohio State loss, CFP rankings, White Out and more
Drew Allar and Penn State have a chance to rebound this weekend after their loss to Ohio State. Following a frustrating defeat against the Buckeyes, the Nittany Lions will host Washington in a White Out atmosphere at Beaver Stadium on Saturday night.
Currently ranked No. 6 in the College Football Playoff committee’s initial standings, the 7-1 Nittany Lions remain well-positioned to secure a spot in the 12-team playoff, even after the setback against Ohio State.
However, Allar and the team are aiming for a much stronger performance than what they delivered against the Buckeyes, where Penn State’s offense failed to score a touchdown and Allar completed just 12 of 20 passes for 146 yards.
On Wednesday morning, Allar spoke with reporters, addressing topics such as the Ohio State game, the CFP rankings, the upcoming White Out, and more. Here are some key takeaways.
On the aftermath of the Ohio State loss and the team’s mood:
“Nobody wants to lose. We don’t put in all this time just to end up losing. It’s incredibly frustrating for us. However, we had a great practice yesterday. I felt like we came in on Sunday and had a strong practice to put it behind us and focus on Washington. We have a very talented team visiting this weekend, so it’s going to be a challenge for us.”
On his confidence in the wide receivers and the passing game:
“I have complete confidence in our wide receiver group and the coaching staff. There’s no shortage of talent in that room. To get everyone in sync and engaged in the game, we need to avoid third-and-long situations and stay ahead of the chains. All of our receivers have made significant plays this season, and they’ll continue to do so.”
On Penn State’s position in the CFP rankings and the implications of the 12-team format:
“Right now, the rankings don’t mean anything. I’m not concerned about our current ranking because a lot can change by the season’s end. What matters for us is controlling our own fate. Our focus is to be 1-0 this week.”
On offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s message after the Ohio State game:
“He’ll improve, and we will too. At the end of the day, it’s all about group accountability. Both players and coaches need to hold themselves accountable. It was a solid message, and I have complete faith in Coach K. I enjoy being part of the offense he runs, and I’m really excited about the opportunity this weekend.”
On the recent lack of vertical passing in the offense:
“We want to be explosive, and one way to achieve that is by throwing deep. However, we can’t take those shots if we’re not staying on track and maintaining rhythm. It wouldn’t make sense to throw deep on the first play of every drive. We need to establish some rhythm and move the ball to set up those opportunities. We have plenty of deep plays in our game plan—more than five each week—but we need to create the right situations to call those plays, which requires execution from us players.”
On the significance of the White Out atmosphere following a loss:
“I can’t even begin to describe the White Out—it’s incredible. I’m honored to be part of a team that plays in such an amazing environment as we will this weekend. The energy the crowd brings to this game—and all games, really—is unrivaled in the country, in my opinion. It’s a unique experience, and we truly appreciate it. We soak up these moments because you only get one each year and a limited number throughout your career. It’s going to be exhilarating to play in that atmosphere.”