Penn State’s James Franklin talks Drew Allar’s arm talent, a new WR’s early success

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State’s offense put on a show in the Nittany Lions’ season-opening 38-15 victory over West Virginia Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

Sophomore quarterback Drew Allar was in the middle of all that success, throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start.

Seventh-ranked Penn State (1-0) faces an easier test Saturday at home against FCS Delaware (1-0), and head coach James Franklin had plenty to say about Allar and the Lions’ offense during his Tuesday news conference.

Here are some takeaways.

Allar’s arm strength will allow the Penn State offense to use the entire field.

The quarterback completed 21 of 29 throws, and he calmly spread the ball around. No. 1 wideout KeAndre Lambert-Smith produced 123 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and fellow wideouts Harrison Wallace III (7 catches, 72 yards) and Malik McClain (4-58, touchdown) were also heavily involved.

But it all started with the 6-5, 242-pound Allar and his impressive release. He was selected Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week.

“Being able to throw the flash out (pass), I’ve always said that, if you can throw the speed out to the field (wide side), it changes a lot of things on your offense,” Franklin said when asked about Allar.

“That’s where most college defenses, that’s what they’re going to give you. They’re going to give you that wide field out or flat, and (Allar) can make that throw with ease.

“And when you do that, it opens a lot of other aspects of your playbook up.”

McClain, a Florida State transfer, has impressed on offense and special teams.

Franklin singled out McClain and running back Kaytron Allen.

Allen, in his second year, ran for 51 yards on 10 carries and caught a 15-yard pass.

The 6-4, 206-pound McClain caught all four of his targets.

“He’s been just a wonderful addition to our football family,” Franklin said of McClain.

“The guy has got a smile on his face all the time. I mean literally all the time: in the weight room, walking around campus, going to class. He’s done very well academically here. He’s trying to help the team be successful in any way, special teams.”

Franklin is aware Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren, the Lions’ talented veteran tight ends, were not heavily involved in the passing game.

Johnson did not catch a pass. Warren had one reception for nine yards. But both players were involved as blockers in the run game.

“It’s interesting because, as a coaching staff, if you look at our notes on Sunday and Monday, it’s how do we get the ball to Theo and Tyler?” Franklin said.

“But the reality is, I think, our production on Saturday (vs. West Virginia) shows that we want to spread the ball around. Nine people touched the ball (in the passing game).

“But … we’re not just going to force the ball to somebody if they’re not open. We did have one specific route that was called that’s going to go to a tight end, and that’s the primary throw, and we got sacked on that play.”