How Drew Allar transformed vs. Maryland: 3 things learned about Penn State football

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland − Penn State football finally used two quarterbacks, with the game in doubt, as coach James Franklin has talked about for weeks.

Backup Beau Pribula finally got into the game in a goal line package a few times Saturday − and played a part in the wildest touchdown of the season.

It was a nod to a struggling offense that needed a spark in most any way possible and got it.

But another Nittany Lions' runaway over Maryland in SECU Stadium really was about the starting QBs on either side.

Maryland Taulia Tagovailoa was precise and impeccable throwing − when he wasn't being chased and dumped in the backfield. He started 17-of-17 passing (tying an NCAA-best start this season) and was 22-of-25 at halftime for 211 yards and a score.

Allar was even better in his own way − with his control, game managing and decision-making, all improved commodities from any point this season. He also added some long-needed QB-keeper runs that were long required.

Here are three things we learned from Penn State's 51-15 victory to improve to 8-1:

Drew Allar took growth step vs. Maryland

Remember the jittery QB with the poor mechanics, throwing one incompletion after another at Ohio State?

Allar looked like he is beginning to transform his game now as the season hits the stretch run. He immediately appeared more settled and controlled after throwing his first interception at the end of the Indiana game.

And he carried that over Saturday. He stood tall and quiet in the pocket, time and again, spraying precise throws from one side of the field to the other.

Those struggling receivers? Didn't notice that much Saturday, in part because Allar seemed more confident and on-point in his passing.

No better example than when he calmly pump-faked a first-quarter pass, looking right. He recoiled and fired perfectly to KeAndre Lambert-Smith in stride for 38 yards.

Allar was 25-of-33 for 240 yards and four touchdowns, including possibly his best pass of the season − an early fourth-quarter fade toss to Dante Cephus.

Finally, Abdul Carter bring 'A' game

He hadn't really played like the Freshman All-American he was last year.

Where was the linebacker with 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2022 as a college rookie − the guy with the stunning pursuit speed to go with incomparable size?

While he seemed to hustle and play hard throughout this fall, Abdul Carter was simply not making plays. He had just two stops behind scrimmage and a sack in eight games.

His downtrend was one of the team's biggest mysteries.

But he cranked up his effort and results vs. Maryland. He was meeting the ballcarrier faster and more often and tackling with authority.

He had six tackles with a sack midway through the third quarter. He was in the backfield more often than at any point this year.

Defense recovered, revved without Chop Robinson

The Lions were coming off their worst six-quarter stretch of the season on defense.

That second half getting burned by Marvin Harrison and company at Ohio State. Then four quarters of struggling to contain a 2-5 Indiana pass game.

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And then they got the most prolific quarterback in the Big Ten in Maryland's Taulia Tagovailoa.

Penn State's defense righted itself in a big way against a sneaky, dangerous opponent. Sure enough, Tagovailoa fired the ball non-stop −and completed those 17-straight to start the game.

But the Lions controlled him, nonetheless, and impressively so. They gave up minimal run-after-the-catch yards. And they swarmed Maryland ballcarriers, including Tagovailoa himself.

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They sacked him five times and registered nine tackles through just 2 1/2 quarters. They pressured him throughout and drilled down on Maryland's plan repeatedly.

Gold stars to Carter, cornerback Daequan Hardy and Cam Miller, safety KJ Winston and linebacker Curtis Jacobs. All were ballhawks from beginning to end.

Check this out: Between stuffing the run game and quarterback sacks, the defense "held" Maryland to minus-51 yards through three quarters.

They appeared ready, as best as possible, for Michigan next Saturday.

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 vs. Maryland: Drew Allar, Abdul Carter crush Terps