COMMITTED: 5-Star Player Sends 3 Shocking Message After Committing To Penn State…

COMMITTED: 5-Star Player Sends 3 Shocking Message After Committing To Penn State

How much will No. 1 Oregon football’s defense rattle Penn State’s ‘composed operator’ Drew Allar?

EUGENE — Drew Allar’s improved accuracy and efficiency leading Penn State’s offense is a major reason why the No. 3 Nittany Lions are facing No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten championship game.

Allar is completing 71.6% of his passes this season, up from 59.9% last season, with a 167.54 efficiency rating, up from 136.89. He enters Saturday’s conference title game with 2,668 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions and 225 rushing yards and five scores.

“I think composure is certainly one of the things that stick out,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “Understanding their offensive scheme. I think it’s about taking what’s there. He’s also a guy that’s made some really tight throws in some great windows this year. I think he understands his personnel and his strengths, knows who he wants to get the ball to.

“More than anything, a composed operator that goes out there and can execute at a really high level and create explosive plays.”

However, Allar’s poorest performances of the season were against ranked opponents in Illinois and Ohio State. He combined to complete 65.9% of his passes for 281 yards with an interception in those games compared to 72.5% for 2,387 yards and all of his touchdowns throws in 10 games against unranked teams.

But those statistical splits aren’t impacting how the Ducks are viewing Allar.

“I think he’s a really good quarterback,” nickel safety Brandon Johnson said. “I think he’s accurate with a strong arm.”

First-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who came to PSU from Kansas, has put Allar in positions for success.

Oregon safety Kobe Savage said tempo, motions and personnel groups vary more in Kotelnicki’s offense, which he played against while at Kansas State.

“It’s a very different formation variation,” Savage said. “Using different guys such as (Tyler Warren) and getting the right guys the ball and trying to spread out the defense and get them miscommunicated.”

Oregon will be the third top 10 pass defense Allar has faced this season. The Ducks also lead the Big Ten in sacks (39).

How he fares against pressure could determine who earns a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff and spot in the Rose Bowl.