The college football world breathed a collective sigh of relief on Saturday morning as Penn State announced that star quarterback Drew Allar was not listed on the injury report ahead of their primetime clash with No. 4 Ohio State. The rising phenom, who ranks 10th nationally in QBR, had suffered a left knee injury in the second half of last week’s win over Wisconsin, putting his status for the critical Big Ten East showdown in doubt.
According to a source close to the program, Allar took snaps in practice this week alongside backup Beau Pribula as the Nittany Lions prepared for all scenarios. Head coach James Franklin had initially suggested Allar could be a game-time decision, but his absence from the injury report indicates the coaching staff is confident in his ability to lead the offense against a fierce Buckeye defense.
Allar’s Importance to Penn State’s Playoff Hopes
There’s no overstating how crucial Allar’s health is to Penn State’s chances of pulling off the upset in Columbus and keeping their College Football Playoff aspirations alive. The redshirt freshman has been sensational in his first year as a starter, completing 71.3% of his passes for 1,640 yards with 15 touchdowns against just 4 interceptions.
“Drew is the engine that makes this offense go,” an anonymous teammate told ESPN earlier this season. “His poise, his leadership, his ability to make plays under pressure – it’s special. We have complete faith in him to lead us where we want to go.”
That destination is the College Football Playoff, a goal that once seemed like a pipe dream for a program that had struggled to recapture its former glory in recent years. But Allar’s emergence, coupled with a dominant defense anchored by game-wrecking edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton, has vaulted the Nittany Lions to No. 3 in the initial CFP rankings.
A Season-Defining Opportunity
Now, they have a chance to prove they belong on the sport’s biggest stage with a season-defining win over Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been a thorn in Penn State’s side, winning five straight in the series including a heartbreaking come-from-behind victory in Happy Valley last year.
But this feels like a different Penn State team, one brimming with confidence and talent at every position. And with Allar under center, they believe anything is possible – even dethroning the mighty Buckeyes in the Horseshoe.
“This is what you come to Penn State for, to play in games like this,” Allar said after the Wisconsin win. “We know what’s at stake. We know how good Ohio State is. But we also know how good we are. We’re excited for the challenge.”
Dennis-Sutton’s Status Still Uncertain
While Allar’s clean bill of health is a massive boost, questions still linger about the status of Dennis-Sutton, Penn State’s game-wrecking edge rusher. The redshirt sophomore is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision, per a source.
Dennis-Sutton’s relentless pass-rushing has been the driving force behind a fearsome Nittany Lions defense that ranks in the top-10 nationally in sacks and tackles for loss. If he’s unable to go or limited in any way, it would be a significant blow to Penn State’s chances of generating pressure on Ohio State’s dynamic quarterback.
A Game With Massive Implications
Regardless of Dennis-Sutton’s status, this game has all the makings of an instant classic between two evenly-matched powerhouses. The winner will have the inside track to the Big Ten East title and a likely playoff berth, while the loser will need lots of help to keep their national championship hopes alive.
For Penn State, a program still fighting for respect on the national stage, this is a chance to announce their return to college football’s elite. And with their star quarterback ready to lead the charge, anything feels possible. Kickoff can’t come soon enough in Columbus.
