Forget Drew Allar’s sparkling passing numbers in Penn State’s first three games and watch some video of him.
He looks different than he did last season when he appeared tentative and restrained. He seems confident, relaxed and free.
Brad Maendler, Allar’s quarterback trainer in Ohio, sees that, too, and smiles.
“I’m so excited for him,” Maendler said Wednesday. “This is the player that I know. One of the key action verbs for me is decisiveness. I don’t care who they’re playing. There’s a decisiveness about his game that’s a really positive sign. He’s trusting what he sees and letting it rip.”
That was often not the case with Allar last year, his first as the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback. He didn’t take many chances. He didn’t throw the ball downfield. It looked like he tried not to make mistakes.
He’s playing loose this season. He’s more patient and less hurried. He’s moving better in the pocket after dropping weight. He’s playing for an offensive coordinator, Andy Kotelnicki, who’s taking advantage of his strengths and making football fun again for him.
“I’m definitely a lot more confident and comfortable,” Allar said. “I think that’s from going through last season as a first-time starter. You don’t really know what it’s like till you go through it. I learned a lot last year.
“With Coach K coming in, I kind of turned the page and reset. I think I’ve done a good job of that so far.”
Ninth-ranked Penn State (3-0) begins Big Ten play against No. 19 Illinois (1-0, 4-0) Saturday night at 7:30 (TV-NBC) at Beaver Stadium. Allar will face a defense that has already intercepted seven passes.
It’s the first of a six-game stretch that will shape the Lions’ season. After Illinois, they play new conference members UCLA and USC, have off and then meet Wisconsin,…
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