3 & Out Rapid Reaction: Penn State football rocks Maryland 51-15

College Park, MD – All season we have been waiting to see the Nittany Lions have a fast start on the road. But today, we finally saw the Penn State football team do just that. After the late-game interception last week against Indiana, many of us were wondering if we would see a new version of Drew Allar moving forward. That was confirmed today on the field, he looked confident poised, and exceeded expectations on the road. Penn State fans also finally saw the Beau Pribula package that James Franklin has mentioned. And of course, the defense came to play once again.

Has Drew Allar finally been unlocked?

After the West Virginia game, Penn State football fans had high expectations for first-year starting QB Drew Allar. Since that game, Allar has played well but he has also looked timid, unsure of himself, and scared to make a mistake. Today against Maryland we saw the best version of Allar, the true gunslinger mentality.

Drew Allar has struggled on the road but today he started strong, completing 13 for 16 passes for 124 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half. 60 yards were collected by wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith who stepped up big time against Maryland. Lambert-Smith finished with 8 catches for 95 yards. We also saw Dante Cephas have a career day 6 catches for 53 yards and two touchdowns.

Allar finished the day going 25 for 34 for 240 yards and 4 touchdown passes with 0 turnovers but it finally feels that he has been given the green light to play freely. Maybe it was that interception against Indiana that freed himself from second-guessing his decisions.

The Beau Pribula package exists!

All off-season and much of this season we have heard James Franklin speak about a specific package designed for backup QB Beau Pribula. Today, of all days we saw that package on full display. Initially, the Nittany Lions rolled it out at the end of the first quarter allowing Pribula to run the ball. They followed that up with a play that featured both Drew Allar and Beau Pribula on the field together. Beau Pribula took the direct snap and pitched the ball to Allar who threw it to Theo Johnson for a touchdown.

The Nittany Lions went back to this package throughout the game and it was efficient. The only question I have is why today? They have Michigan next week, did James Franklin want to give the Wolverines something to consider ahead of the big game? At the end of the day, it was great to see Pribula get his opportunity before the game was put away. He finished the game with 12 yards rushing and 1 touchdown.

Bend but don’t break defense

Manny Diaz had his defensive unit locked in today. Collecting 4 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and causing one turnover in the first half. One could argue that Penn State should’ve produced a shutout but after Liam Clifford roughed the Maryland punter, the Terrapins took advantage of the short field to score.

In the first half, QB Taulia Tagovailoa completed 22 of 25 passes for 211 yards and 1 touchdown but only produced 7 points. It was a different mentality for the Penn State defense who didn’t have many missed assignments but counter that with several 3rd and long conversions allowed. They have a lot to clean up before Michigan comes to town next weekend.

The defense was led by Abdul Carter who accounted for 6 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 sack. The Nittany Lions caused 4 turnovers and were all over the Maryland offense in the second half. True freshman Tony Rojas had two turnovers himself today. The defense held Maryland to 4-11 on 3rd down conversions and less than 250 total yards on the day.

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