Quarterback Drew Allar reflects on the Passing Game and Ohio State

After a few days of reflection, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar said Wednesday he wanted to discuss one key point from the Nittany Lions’ 20-13 loss to Ohio State. “We have to stay ahead of the sticks,” Allar said.

Penn State had multiple offensive issues against the Buckeyes, including a goal-line sequence in the fourth quarter that yielded no points, but Allar took a step back to look at the offense from a higher perspective. Penn State went 3-for-11 on third down against Ohio State, adding to their 1-for-16 performance in a 20-12 loss to the Buckeyes last season. One reason, Allar said, was the team’s performance on early downs.

Penn State gained an average of 3.6 yards on first down and had an average third-down distance of 6.2 yards, leading to stressful conversion attempts. The Nittany Lions went 1-for-5 for three yards passing on third down against Ohio State, and Allar rarely had time to locate receivers, or even receivers who were open. Allar said Penn State will focus on third-down and red zone situations on Wednesday as it prepares to host Washington for the annual Penn State White Out.

“Philosophically, one way to get everyone in the rhythm and get everyone involved in the game is to stay out of third-and-long and keep the sticks to stay ahead,” Allar said during a conference call on Wednesday. “That allows us to get rhythm, get our players to distribute the ball.”

Allar went 12-for-20 for 146 yards against Ohio State, with three of those completions covering more than 20 yards. Although Penn State had success completing the passes of more than 15 yards it attempted (3-for-5), the offense struggled with mid-range throws, going 1-for-5 on completions of 5-14 yards. Additionally, only three of Penn State’s 13 completions went to their recipients had trouble opening it against the Buckeyes’ secondary.

“I have a lot of confidence in that room, with the coaching staff in that room and the players in that room. We certainly don’t have a shortage of talent in that room,” Allar said. “…Our receivers receive a lot of harsh criticism for their performance, but I don’t think it’s necessary at all.”

Message from offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki

Penn State coach James Franklin reflected on his team’s goal-line approach in the fourth quarter against Ohio State and said so “Hindsight is 20/20.” Allar said Penn State’s offensive players took a group accountability approach after the game, at the urging of offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.

“(Kotelnicki said) he will be better for us and we will be better for him,” Allar said of Kotelnicki’s message. “Ultimately it is group responsibility, and that comes from both sides. It is because the players are responsible for our play on the field and by the coaches in general. It was a good message for us. I have full confidence in Coach K. I love being part of the offense that Coach K calls and really being part of the entire offensive staff. I’m really excited about the opportunity we have ahead of us this weekend (against Washington). , because it is a very good defense schematically. They are really good and challenging at what they do.

Innovating the vertical passing game

Penn State had fewer opportunities to make shots against Ohio State due to the Buckeyes’ pressure and coverage. Allar said pitching in the field requires more than just a called play.

“It’s definitely what we want to be a part of as an offense,” Allar said. “We want to be explosive, and one way to be explosive is of course to throw the ball down the field. But again, we won’t have those opportunities to throw the ball down the field if we don’t stay in front of the sticks and we ‘ We’re not in a rhythm. There’s no point in just giving up shots on first-and-10 on the first play. We’ve got to get into some kind of rhythm and move the ball and get first downs for those to get called plays.”

Penn State hosts Washington on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET on Peacock.

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