Is Penn State offense ready for Oregon?

The preseason is now over for Penn State, and we still have some questions.

The Nittany Lions, as expected, dismantled Villanova, 52-6, in the final of three low-level nonconference games. They’re 3-0 entering Big Ten play, and that alone is a win.

Jim Knowles’ defense was stout once again, holding Villanova to fewer than 100 yards with starters on the field. But Drew Allar, Nick Singleton and the Penn State offense still left a lot to be desired.

The Lions led by just 21 at halftime despite the Wildcats’ offensive incompetence. Prime scoring chances were there early and often, and Penn State settled for a pair of punts and field goals in that first half.

Here’s what we saw in the win.

It might be time to panic about Drew Allar

The third-year starting quarterback didn’t have his best stuff in the first two wins of the year, but he wasn’t exactly detrimental to winning and there was never reason to worry about his year-long performance.

Saturday provided some reason to worry.

He finished just 16 for 29, a brutal 55% completion rate, for 209 yards and a touchdown. He threw his first interception of the year and had a few more turnover-worthy throws that left fans scratching their heads.

His touchdown pass was a beauty to Trebor Peña down the seam, but there was a lot more bad than good Saturday. He missed reads, was inaccurate and only led Penn State to 21 first-half points against an FCS team.

A top-10 Oregon team is on deck for the White Out, and Allar has done little to dispel fans’ offensive worries ahead of the clash.

Nick Singleton got back on track… kind of

After Nick Singleton was the center of attention this week for a lackluster rushing performance vs. FIU, it was obvious Penn State wanted to change that narrative early this week. The senior carried eight times, including once out of the wildcat, for 34 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive.

He also outpaced Kaytron Allen on the afternoon 20-10 in carries. He finished with 84 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Singleton didn’t break his signature 40-plus-yard touchdown and still wasn’t particularly efficient, but he was a bit more decisive between the tackles. With Allar still struggling, that might not be good enough against the Ducks.

Why not more Fatman?

Sure, Singleton needed a confidence boost. But Allen ran for 144 yards last week vs. FIU and seemed to clearly establish himself as the more consistent of the two backs.

He got just six carries to Singleton’s 19 (and one reception) through the third quarter. Penn State also passed over Allen in several red-zone situations, where he typically excels.

Penn State finally let Allen lead the way on the starting offense’s final drive of the fourth quarter. He looked excellent once again, seeing the field in a way Singleton simply hasn’t. Allen rushed four times for 52 yards on the drive, ending his day with a beauty of an 18-yard touchdown.

Let the big man eat.

Lions’ secondary is legit

A.J. Harris was a buzzworthy name this offseason both in Penn State and national circles. Elliot Washington II got plenty of praise for a fantastic offseason in the weight room. Audvaion Collins and Zion Tracy were both returning veterans with talent. Then there was freshman Daryus Dixson, one of just two first-year players to earn the right to burn their redshirt.

Penn State’s cornerback room looked stacked on paper entering 2025. But through three easy nonconference games, they’ve maybe been even better than expected.

According to PFF, Harris was targeted in coverage just once across the first two weeks, Washington pulled in his first interception of the season against Villanova and the Wildcats put up just 25 passing yards against the starting defense.

The secondary has gotten an early boost from a swarming pass rush, but their coverage has been sticky to say the least. Villanova QB Pat McQuaide had nowhere to go all day.