Michigan star LB calls Penn State QB Drew Allar a ‘game manager’

One of the most pivotal games of the college football season will take place in Beaver Stadium on Saturday when the Penn State football program squares off against the Michigan Wolverines. Recently elevated into the top 10 of the College Football Playoff rankings, the Nittany Lions are looking to get back into the title race by taking down the back-to-back Big Ten champions. While most expect this to be a ground-and-pound style game, with two of the best rushing defenses in the nation, the outcome could be decided by the arms of each team’s respective QBs. When discussing the upcoming matchup, Michigan star LB Ernest Hausmann had some interesting comments about Penn State QB Drew Allar.

Michigan star LB Ernest Hausmann calls Penn State QB a “game manager”

Although at times he’s looked like a new starter, Drew Allar has put together an impressive first season under center for Penn State football. Throwing for nearly 1,900 yards through nine games, the Penn State QB touts a 63% completion rate and an impressive 20-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

When discussing the threat that Allar poses this week, Michigan star LB Ernest Hausmann spoke to the sophomore QB’s work as a game manager this fall. Although intended as a compliment, Hausmann’s comments may overlook Allar’s traits as a former five-star QB.

“I think [Allar] does a really good job of just managing the game,” said Hausmann, who was the No. 1 LB prospect in the transfer portal this offseason. “I think he does a fantastic job of just putting the ball in his playmakers’ hands and letting them do the work. I think he is a really good game manager — he gets the ball out of his hands really quickly, so he kind of eludes the pressure a lot of times. He’s a really good game manager.”

Drew Allar thinks he’s “clicked” since Indiana game

While Hausmann’s assessment of Drew Allar may have truth to it throughout this season, many feel that something is different about the Penn State QB in the last two games.

Allar led Penn State football on a game-winning drive two weeks ago against Indiana, minutes after throwing the first interception of his college career. The 19-year-old followed it up with perhaps his best performance of the season on the road at Maryland. Allar lit up the Terrapins defense for 240 yards and four touchdowns on 25-34 passing last weekend.

After the Maryland win, Allar spoke to the shift that has led to his hot streak.

“I think last week at the end of the [Indiana] game, [it] finally kind of clicked for me where I was just out there playing, not trying to be perfect or anything like that,” the Penn State QB said. “That mentality is something that has kind of helped me get to this point and I don’t want to lose that.”

However, awaiting Allar may be his toughest test of the season. Michigan football comes into this game with the top passing defense in the nation. Combined with the top scoring defense and the ninth-ranked rushing defense, and the Penn State offense will have its work cut out for it on Saturday.

Kickoff between No. 10 Penn State football and No. 3 Michigan is set for noon on FOX Saturday afternoon.

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