Penn State football report card vs. Maryland: See why these are the best grades yet
COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — Drew Allar threw some of the best end zone passes possible − even when they were not caught.
Go to the end of Penn State football's regular-scheduled beatdown of the Maryland Terrapins in SECU Stadium.
Allar had already thrown three beauties and was crafty and resourceful on a fourth touchdown throw as Saturday afternoon turned to evening.
He was looking for No. 5 early in the fourth quarter. And he put the ball perfectly on the hands of a sprinting Tyler Warren. However, his normally sure-handed tight end bobbled the ball and didn't corral it until exiting the end zone.
No worries, the Lions scored a few plays later when Kaytron Allen pushed most of the defeated Terps' defense into the end zone.
It was that kind of breakout day for this Penn State offense that really did no wrong, for once. The grades after the 51-15 demolition:
Offense: A-
The best performance of the season, overall, or at least since the opener against West Virginia.
Drew Allar was exceptional in helping his receivers and setting the tone from beginning to end. He completed 74 percent of his passes (25-of-34) for 240 yards and those four scores. He threw his guys open and delivered on a newfound connection with transfer Dante Cephus (6 catches, 53 yards, 2 TDs).
We could still use more from the run game, despite Kaytron Allen's typical churning effort. He's still only half of the tailback combination and Nick Singleton did not provide much pop, once again (8 carries, 20 yards).
A special bonus: A perfect 9-for-9 performance in the red zone. Pretty impressive.
Defense: A
About the most complete effort possible against run-and-gun QB Taulia Tagovailoa. The Maryland senior brought his best early and kept the Terps in the game by completing his first 17 passes.
But the Lions never broke down, like last week vs. Indiana. They stayed the course and gradually ruined the Terps' plan with constant, controlled pressure around scrimmage.
They sacked Tagovailoa six times and piled up 10 tackles behind scrimmage. You can't win with minus-49 rushing yards, no matter the situation.
Special teams: B+
One of the most promising though overlooked developments of the season. Another solid day by punter Riley Thompson and kicker Alex Felkins (good on field goals of 30, 35 and 39 yards).
We liked Nick Singleton's 51-yard kickoff return late.
We did not like the roughing the punter penalty a bit earlier.
Coaching: A
The Lions were ready in all facets, which means a lot considering the past couple of weeks − and the big meeting ahead with Michigan.
The new PSU schedule: Penn State football's 2024 Big Ten schedule unveiled: Where does USC, Ohio State fit?
Allar played his best yet as a game manager and thrower and looked like the 5-star prospect so many had been envisioning the past couple of years.
The defense recalibrated and performed as one of the best units in the country. They attacked hard until the very end.
Overall:
An encouraging performance in all facets from a team that desperately needed to truly resemble its overall potential.
A story like no other: The rise of a Penn State football 'weapon.' Why did it take Daequan Hardy so long?
A pretty good warm-up, too, in preparing to deal with the all-powerful Michigan Wolverines next Saturday in Beaver Stadium.
Credit, in particular, for grabbing a game by its throat and beating down an opponent it is accustomed to dominating.
Penn State has now run over Maryland by a combined 207-32 in the past four meetings in College Park.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football report card: How Drew Allar beat the Terps
