Drew Allar walked into a quiet Lasch Building conference room with a smile and a whole lot of optimism. It was April 2024, and the face of Penn State’s program was eagerly awaiting his second season as starting quarterback. Allar believed Penn State was bound for something special — and that he and James Franklin would accomplish it together.

Penn State starting quarterback Drew Allar left Saturday's game against Northwestern, and backup Ethan Grunkemeyer came in for him. Although Allar has remained relatively healthy in his three years as a starter, he did miss the second half of Penn State's game against Wisconsin last season.

Penn State head coach James Franklin or Texas QB Arch Manning? Mark Ingram answered that question on "Big Noon Kickoff."

Penn State, among the most storied and decorated teams in college football, has fired head football coach James Franklin following a lackluster start to the 2025 season.

Allen quickly finds the hole, gets downhill, and punishes defenders. The Lions ignored him for a large stretch later, going to Nick Singleton, who did score a touchdown on a two-yard run on fourth down. But he also managed just 20 yards on his first seven carries. Allen finished the game with 90 yards on 16 carries.

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State, which began the season ranked second nationally, dropped its third straight Big Ten game, falling to Northwestern 22-21 Saturday at Beaver Stadium. The also lost starting quarterback Drew Allar for the season to an ankle injury in the fourth quarter.