The first pass of Ethan Grunkemeyer’s Penn State football career was an interception. But don’t let that confuse you about the Nittany Lions’ confidence in their true freshman quarterback.
After getting his first taste of the college game during Penn State’s first-round College Football Playoff victory over SMU, James Franklin foreshadowed increased use of Grunkemeyer against Boise State in Tuesday’s Fiesta Bowl.
“[He’s a] super talented young man that we have a lot of confidence in,” Franklin said of his backup quarterback during Fiesta Bowl media day on Sunday. “Up to this point, he really had been impressing people on what we call the developmental squad, basically the ‘look squad’ for our defense, and making some phenomenal throws. Obviously, during training camp, he was getting more reps when he was actually competing [for the starting role].
“To have him back now in the mix and to be able to get him some reps with the varsity has been invaluable. We tried to get him in that game [against SMU] as early as possible, because we knew it would be important moving forward. We’ll have some packages for him in this game as well, because I think it’s important that we get him in the game. He’s taken some tremendous strides.
“But he’s a very, very talented football player. He’s got a bright future. Obviously, under the circumstances, his journey has changed. He’s embraced that journey, and I know our team has a ton of confidence in him. Really, really important reps he’s getting in every practice.”
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Grunkemeyer was thrust into the backup role earlier in December after redshirt sophomore quarterback Beau Pribula entered the transfer portal. Making his college debut on December 21 against the Mustangs, Grunkemeyer responded with a nine-yard completion after his first pass was deflected off the hands of Harrison Wallace and intercepted.
“[I had] no nerves or anything with that,” Grunkemeyer said Sunday of being named QB2. “I just felt super comfortable.”
Drew Allar, Grunkemeyer, and the Nittany Lions offense may have the opportunity to spin it against the Broncos’ defense, which comes into the matchup ranked No. 109 nationally against the pass. The unit is allowing nearly 250 yards per contest this season.
Penn State football and Boise State will kick off from the Arizona desert in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve at 7:30 p.m.
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