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.

Sitting at 3-3 with six games remaining, Penn State will have to find three wins the rest of the way to avoid missing out on a bowl game. Penn State has two games against ranked opponents ( Ohio State and Indiana) and road games against Michigan State and Rutgers .

Allar, 21, reacted to the news of Franklin's firing with a single emoji and a heartwarming picture of the two of them in better times together. Allar used the fingers crossed emoji, presumably to emote that he hopes it all goes well for Franklin, 53, in his future endeavors.

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.

Penn State offense: 213.6 ypg (83rd in the nation)