Drew Allar opens up on heated exchange with James Franklin, 4th down conversion vs. Minnesota

The final 22 minutes in Minneapolis are why Penn State football recruited Drew Allar.

Incensed on the sideline after a miscommunication led to a 16-yard pooch punt from tight end Tyler Warren, the former five-star quarterback bounced back with a tremendous response the rest of the game.

Allar led consecutive scoring drives on the Nittany Lions’ next two possessions, which ultimately were the deciding factor in Penn State’s 26-25 win over Minnesota.

"I thought he did a great job of settling his quarterback down here." – Gary Danielson on James Franklin's conversation with Drew Allar pic.twitter.com/IopjB2ip1M

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) November 23, 2024

Following the win, Drew Allar explained his reaction to the botched pooch punt and his emotional exchange with James Franklin on the sideline.

“Yeah, I just got to do a better job of staying more composed and poised,” he said. “I kind of let my emotions flare a little bit. Once I got down to the bench, I was fine and took a couple of deep breaths. Coach Franklin just came over and reminded me of that.

“But it’s an area I’m still learning about myself and trying to grow and pick my spots to do that stuff. I didn’t think that that was a situation necessarily to do that. So, it’s just a learning opportunity for me but I’m kind of glad it happened at the same time, so I know if that situation happens again how to react better.”

Allar went 6-7 for 67 yards following the punt. He finished the day 21-28 for 244 yards and one touchdown.

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After the Golden Gophers made it a one-point game with 5:48 remaining, the junior quarterback helped orchestrate a 12-play, 72-yard drive to run out the clock. Allar was involved in two of the Nittany Lions’ three fourth-down conversions on the gutsy series: a two-yard gain on a quarterback keeper and the game-sealing toss to Warren.

“The main goal was to hopefully get it to Nick [Singleton] in the flat because we were kind of anticipating them to squeeze in and try to stop some sort of inside zone run or a QB sneak, potentially,” Allar said of the final play. “So we were going try to just outflank them and then go down.

“Tyler was the second read on it, but I saw Nick was covered up. I felt somebody looping, so I was like, ‘All right, step up and try to get the first down.’ That’s when I saw Tyler waving his hands.”

Penn State goes for it on 4th down AGAIN and gets it AGAIN!
Allar to Warren seals the win for @PennStateFball. pic.twitter.com/i1nYT36g0v

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) November 23, 2024

With the performance, Allar helped to put Penn State football a Senior Day win away from the College Football Playoff. The Nittany Lions open as a massive 24.5-point favorite in Saturday’s regular season finale against Maryland.

Then from there, the tests, and the stakes, will themselves prove to be five-star caliber worthy.

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