Penn State Diversifies Its Run Game Behind Beau Pribula

The backup quarterback gave the Lions some "different punches" on offense, James Franklin said.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Rutgers has had some bad luck lately against Penn State’s backup quarterbacks. Beau Pribula replaced the injured Drew Allar on Saturday, and the Nittany Lions, behind a one-dimensional offensive attack, coasted to a 27-6 Senior Day win. Pribula followed current Pitt quarterback Christian Veilleux, who took over for an ill Sean Clifford in Penn State's 28-0 win in 2021, and Will Levis, who started in place of an injured Clifford in a 2019 win by the same score as Saturday. 

Allar sustained an injury on a quarterback draw early in the third quarter and did not return to the game. Because Allar stayed on the field for another snap, Pribula entered in mid-drive without much chance to consult coaches or huddle up. Yet he took that first snap from the shotgun, tucked the ball and weaved toward the sideline for a statement 39-yard gain.

"I think it was super important to have an explosive play like that, first play being in, just to set the tone,” Pribula said. “I had the option to throw as well. I decided to run the ball, and then I saw a crease and just kind of [ran up the] right sideline and I tried to get as much as I could get.”

Pribula finished completed his only pass for 9 yards but rushed for a team-high 71 yards and a touchdown on eight attempts. Penn State coach James Franklin said that Pribula’s ability to run added "diversity" to Penn State’s rushing attack Saturday. The Lions ran 17 straight times after Pribula entered, and Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton both ripped runs of 20-plus yards in the second half. In all, Penn State rushed for 234 yards — a season high in Big Ten play — on 6 yards per carry. "Different punches that you can throw out," Franklin said of what Pribula added to the run game.

“When Beau would come in the game, they have to respect the zone read. It changes how you call the game defensively. There's no doubt about that,” the head coach added. “I think that's the biggest thing. I think we had a good plan, but then obviously being able to mix Beau in there as well, they have to call the game differently, and I think I think we did a really good job having a plan and I think our backs ran extremely hard.”

Penn State’s offensive performance already was under scrutiny before Allar's injury because of this week’s change at offensive coordinator. Saturday marked the first showcase for co-coordinators Ja’Juan Seider and Ty Howle. They passed, maybe not with flying colors, but did well enough in a tricky situation to push Penn State to 9-2.

“I was super proud of the guys really having my back. Nobody flinched in the huddle, and that really made my job easier,” Pribula said. “The offensive line played really good as well, which made my job easier. And the defense as well. And I'm really glad that we were able to send these seniors out with a win in their last game in Beaver Stadium.”

“We just said, 'We got your back.' Beau's earned our trust from the moment he stepped into this team, just by the way he works,” left tackle Olu Fashanu said of the offensive line’s message during the change. “At the end of the day, we just told him, like, 'Listen, Drew's out, you're in and we have your back. We're gonna do everything we can for you.'”

Franklin said he intended to play both Allar and Pribula even before the injury. The Lions did put both quarterbacks on the field for one play in the first half. Prior to Saturday, Pribula had played in nine games, running almost exclusively. Franklin said that he didn't consider Allar's injury "significant," but Pribula gained valuable experience against Rutgers if he ends up taking charge in the regular-season finale against Michigan State. 

As far as the defense Pribula sees most is concerned, that could be a good thing for the Penn State offense.

“Oh, that boy has feets. He can run the ball," defensive tackle Dvon Ellies said. "His run-pass threat is there, and we know that in practice. Having to stop both ends of that is really hard to do, especially when you're trying to scheme it up as a defense. Having to worry about an extra runner is extremely difficult. That's definitely one of his superpowers, and I think you've seen it today.”

More Penn State Football

Penn State 27, Rutgers 6: The breakdown from Beaver Stadium

For James Franklin, a postgame moment to savor

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar leaves Rutgers game with injury

How Penn State's offense will operate without Mike Yurcich

What we know about Penn State's offensive coordinator search

Potential candidates for Penn State's next offensive coordinator

James Franklin remains 'hopeful and excited' about Penn State's future

Ja'Juan Seider, Ty Howle take over as offensive coordinators for Penn State

Max Ralph is a Penn State senior studying Broadcast Journalism with minors in sports studies and Japanese. He previously covered Penn State football for two years with The Daily Collegian and has reported with the Associated Press and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Follow him on Twitter (X) @maxralph_ and Instagram @mralph_59.

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network.