Penn State Expects Drew Allar Will Be 'Ready to Go' Vs. Michigan State

Coach James Franklin said he plans to play both Allar and Beau Pribula at QB vs. the Spartans.

Penn State coach James Franklin said he expects quarterback Drew Allar to be ready for Friday's game against Michigan State but added that Beau Pribula will be part of the gameplan in the regular-season finale.

"We expect Drew to be ready to go," Franklin said Monday at his weekly news conference. "... but it’s too early for me to say. We have not practiced yet since the game, but [from] all indications, I would think we’re going to be back to normal."

Allar left the Rutgers game in the third quarter with an apparent upper-body injury, two plays after taking a hit on a first-down run. He quickly threw away the next pass and went to the injury tent. Allar favored his right shoulder but did not wear a sling or wrap for the remainder of the game. 

Pribula rushed for 39 yards on his first carry. He finished the game as Penn State's leading rusher with 71 yards and led the Lions to two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 27-6 victory. On Monday, Franklin suggested that Penn State's offensive gameplan Friday night at Ford Field would include both quarterbacks.

Franklin has said that he planned a larger role for Pribula in the offense over the season's second half, which didn't necessarily happen. The quarterback has played in nine games, though not against Ohio State and Michigan, even though there was a package planned for him against the Wolverines, Franklin said. Once again, Franklin previewed a role for Pribula against the Spartans.

"Just like we planned on last week, I still think both of those guys will have roles [against Michigan State]," Franklin said. "And I think Beau will be ready to go. He did a great job. He didn’t flinch, the staff didn’t flinch, the players didn’t flinch and he went in and made plays like we expected him to make."

Pribula has attempted 18 passes this season, though just one against Rutgers in his most active game of the year. The Lions ran on 17 consecutive offensive plays after Pribula entered, which Franklin attributed to running clock and protecting a lead against Rutgers. In fact, Franklin said the Lions wanted to "milk the clock," which Pribula had experience with in previous games. However, the coach said the offensive plan includes throws for Allar.

"As you can imagine, there's more in his package than what you've seen."

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