Penn State's Season Crumbles as Star QB Drew Allar Suffers Season-Ending Injury
Just three weeks ago, Penn State was riding high as the No. 3 ranked team in the country. Now, their season has spiraled into disaster after a shocking 22-21 loss to Northwestern—their third straight defeat. And here’s the brutal twist: quarterback Drew Allar, the team’s leader, won’t be returning this year due to a devastating ankle injury.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Allar ever truly the elite quarterback Penn State needed this season? The senior entered 2024 with sky-high expectations but struggled to consistently deliver, finishing his college career on a three-game losing streak.
The Injury That Sealed Penn State’s Fate
In the final minutes of Saturday’s game, Allar was tackled awkwardly on a critical 4th & 3 play, clutching his ankle in pain. The injury forced him out of the game, and backup Ethan Grunkemeyer couldn’t convert the do-or-die play. Northwestern took over, ran out the clock, and handed Penn State yet another heartbreaking loss.
Postgame, head coach James Franklin confirmed the worst: Allar’s season is over. After being evaluated on the sideline, he was carted to the locker room—an abrupt and emotional end to his college career.
A Season of Unmet Expectations
Allar’s 2024 stats tell a frustrating story: 1,100 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions in six games. While he started strong with three consecutive wins, the offense never fully clicked under Offensive Coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s system.
And this is the part most people miss: Kotelnicki’s horizontal-heavy scheme, which worked wonders at Kansas with Jalon Daniels, may have been a misfit for Allar’s skill set. ESPN’s Pete Thamel noted, “At Penn State, with better talent, you need to attack vertically. It just never quite synced up.”
What’s Next for Allar?
With his college career cut short, Allar now sets his sights on the NFL. But here’s the burning question: Did his underwhelming final season hurt his draft stock? Some scouts loved his potential early in the year, but inconsistency and this injury could raise red flags.
Your Turn: Was Penn State’s Offensive Scheme to Blame?
Let’s spark some debate: Should Kotelnicki have adapted his system to fit Allar’s strengths, or was the quarterback simply not the right fit for Penn State’s ambitions? Drop your thoughts below—we want to hear both sides!
