Penn State announced that quarterback Drew Allar won’t play against Ohio State today due to a season-ending injury suffered in October.
The matchup loses significant storyline appeal without Allar, the former Ohio Mr. Football winner who transferred to Happy Valley after the Buckeyes overlooked him during recruitment.
James Franklin confirmed after Penn State’s game against Northwestern in mid-October that Allar was “done for the year” following the injury.
The injury occurred when Allar scrambled on third-and-four and got his left leg caught between two Northwestern defenders. He was carted off the field immediately.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported several days later that Allar underwent successful surgery on a broken left ankle.
The surgery was successful and Allar is “on track for a full recovery,” according to Thamel’s report.
Ethan Grunkemeyer now serves as Penn State’s starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.
Allar, a Medina, Ohio native, brought extra intrigue to Penn State-Ohio State matchups given his Ohio roots and the Buckeyes’ recruiting miss.
The Nittany Lions’ season has struggled significantly without their starting quarterback.
Allar plans to begin preparing for the NFL Draft while recovering from the ankle injury.
Franklin is no longer with the program, adding to the changes surrounding Penn State’s football team this season.
The rivalry game proceeds without one of its most compelling storylines – the Ohio native facing his home-state team.
