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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Peach Buzz: Breaking Down Penn State QB Drew Allar
12/28/2023 | Football
Presented by Kroger
ATLANTA – The No. 11 Ole Miss football team will have a large challenge—both literally and figuratively—when it takes on No. 10 Penn State and its quarterback Drew Allar on Saturday in the 2023 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
At 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, Allar is one of the biggest quarterbacks in college football. The average size of Ole Miss' opposing quarterbacks this season is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. Allar will certainly bring more than average, but he's neither the tallest, nor the heaviest QB the Rebels have had to take down this season.
The tallest was Vanderbilt's 6-foot-7, 235-pound Walter Taylor, who worked primarily in the run game, complimenting the 6-foot-3, 220-pound starter Ken Seals. The heaviest was Arkansas' KJ Jefferson at 6-foot-3, 247 pounds. Ole Miss also met 6-foot-6, 230-pound Max Johnson of Texas A&M.
While Ole Miss is certainly familiar with the challenge of a big quarterback, familiarity doesn't make tackles. They'll have to be disciplined each time they square up Allar on Saturday.
"He's a really big dude," said Ole Miss defensive lineman Jared Ivey. "He can make throws all over the yard. More than that, he's a big guy. He's bigger than KJ Jefferson, and that's kind of what we're basing that off of. We know it's going to be paramount to get back there and keep a hold of him and gang tackle and really get him to the ground."
More than just a big quarterback, Allar is also a smart QB. The Medina, Ohio, native has thrown just one interception in 410 attempts for his collegiate career. He threw for 2,336 yards this season, and while a dynamic passing attack isn't PSU's style of play, Ole Miss knows it will have to stop Allar nonetheless.
"For me as a DB, we really don't like smart quarterbacks, so you can tell he's really smart," said Rebel safety Trey Washington. "He takes his check-downs when he's there. He's not really forcing the ball down the field when he doesn't have it. And he can make throws. We've seen throws from far hashes on out routes and stuff like that. So we're looking forward to the challenge for sure."
Allar, who was the No. 3 recruit in the nation coming out of high school in 2022, isn't a run-first quarterback, but he can get it done with his legs, totaling 170 yards and four touchdowns on the ground this season.
"He's not a trained back runner, but he knows how to find space and get the yards when he needs to," Ivey said. "He's a big dude, so not letting him get in the open space like that and controlling our rush lanes is very important. He can push the ball downfield with time. So getting after him and speeding up his clock is going to be a big part of Saturday. Just excited to get out there and get after a big-time dude like him."
Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT from Mercedes-Benz Stadium on ESPN.
Party in the ATL
Grab the latest bowl gear and your Red gameday outfit through Ole Miss Authentics!
2024 Party in the Sip Sweepstakes
Don't miss any of the action in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in 2024. Fans interested in 2024 football tickets can join our ticket interest list to be the first to know when tickets are available, and to enter the Party in the Sip Sweepstakes. One lucky winner will receive a VIP package for the home opener on August 31. The VIP package includes a premium tailgate experience, participation in the Walk of Champions, two sideline passes, and two field suite tickets.
At 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, Allar is one of the biggest quarterbacks in college football. The average size of Ole Miss' opposing quarterbacks this season is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. Allar will certainly bring more than average, but he's neither the tallest, nor the heaviest QB the Rebels have had to take down this season.
The tallest was Vanderbilt's 6-foot-7, 235-pound Walter Taylor, who worked primarily in the run game, complimenting the 6-foot-3, 220-pound starter Ken Seals. The heaviest was Arkansas' KJ Jefferson at 6-foot-3, 247 pounds. Ole Miss also met 6-foot-6, 230-pound Max Johnson of Texas A&M.
While Ole Miss is certainly familiar with the challenge of a big quarterback, familiarity doesn't make tackles. They'll have to be disciplined each time they square up Allar on Saturday.
"He's a really big dude," said Ole Miss defensive lineman Jared Ivey. "He can make throws all over the yard. More than that, he's a big guy. He's bigger than KJ Jefferson, and that's kind of what we're basing that off of. We know it's going to be paramount to get back there and keep a hold of him and gang tackle and really get him to the ground."
More than just a big quarterback, Allar is also a smart QB. The Medina, Ohio, native has thrown just one interception in 410 attempts for his collegiate career. He threw for 2,336 yards this season, and while a dynamic passing attack isn't PSU's style of play, Ole Miss knows it will have to stop Allar nonetheless.
"For me as a DB, we really don't like smart quarterbacks, so you can tell he's really smart," said Rebel safety Trey Washington. "He takes his check-downs when he's there. He's not really forcing the ball down the field when he doesn't have it. And he can make throws. We've seen throws from far hashes on out routes and stuff like that. So we're looking forward to the challenge for sure."
Allar, who was the No. 3 recruit in the nation coming out of high school in 2022, isn't a run-first quarterback, but he can get it done with his legs, totaling 170 yards and four touchdowns on the ground this season.
"He's not a trained back runner, but he knows how to find space and get the yards when he needs to," Ivey said. "He's a big dude, so not letting him get in the open space like that and controlling our rush lanes is very important. He can push the ball downfield with time. So getting after him and speeding up his clock is going to be a big part of Saturday. Just excited to get out there and get after a big-time dude like him."
Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT from Mercedes-Benz Stadium on ESPN.
Party in the ATL
Grab the latest bowl gear and your Red gameday outfit through Ole Miss Authentics!
2024 Party in the Sip Sweepstakes
Don't miss any of the action in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in 2024. Fans interested in 2024 football tickets can join our ticket interest list to be the first to know when tickets are available, and to enter the Party in the Sip Sweepstakes. One lucky winner will receive a VIP package for the home opener on August 31. The VIP package includes a premium tailgate experience, participation in the Walk of Champions, two sideline passes, and two field suite tickets.
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