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Why Didn’t Drew Allar Play in the Second Half Against Wisconsin? James Franklin Explains

Before exiting Penn State’s win over Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 26, QB Drew Allar was 14 of 18 for 148 yards and a touchdown
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 26:Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a pass durning a college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Wisconsin Badgers on October 26th, 2024 at Barry Alvarez field inside Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire)

Penn State beat Wisconsin playing half the game without its starting quarterback, and afterward, coach James Franklin explained why Drew Allar didn’t play in the second half.

At the end of Penn State’s final first half possession, Allar got hurt.

Penn State got the ball in the second half, and Beau Pribula was running the offense.

It stayed that way for the rest of the game. Pribula not only held down the fort, he made things happen. By night’s end, he had thrown 13 passes, completing 11 for 98 yards and a touchdown, and No. 3 Penn State won 28-13, to improve to 7-0.

Although Penn State fans were certainly happy with how Pribula performed, people still wondered what went into Allar not playing in the second half.

Franklin explained in his postgame presser.

WHY ALLAR SAT

Penn State coach James Franklin said not playing Drew Allar in the second half came down to him being healthy enough to lead the offense

MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 26: Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) celebrates his touchdown catch with Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) durning a college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Wisconsin Badgers on October 26th, 2024 at Barry Alvarez field inside Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire)

Franklin didn’t get into the specifics of Allar’s injury but he did breakdown why Allar didn’t go.

“I wouldn’t necessarily describe it (as being precautionary,) Franklin said. “It was, is he going to be mobile enough to give us a chance to run the offense the way we (want.)

“It really came down to Drew once he came out. I asked him to be very honest, and he just didn’t feel like he was (ready). Like at the end of the half there you saw even throwing was challenging.”

STILL SMILING

Penn State QB Drew Allar supported his teammates throughout the second half of Saturday’s win even though he wasn’t healthy enough to play.

Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Penn State QB Drew Allar Rings Victory Bell

Despite not being able to play and spending much of the second half relegated to sitting on a bench by QB coach Danny O’Brien, Allar was still visibly supporting his teammates on the sidelines and was smiling from ear to ear while singing the Penn State Alma Mater after the win.

Allar will be even happier if Penn State beats Ohio State next week. His status for that game will become more clear as the week goes on.

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