Skip to main content

Drew Allar injury update: Penn State quarterback is out for the year, James Franklin says

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel10/11/25GregPickel
NCAA Football: Northwestern at Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State coach James Franklin did not have much to say on quarterback Drew Allar following the Lions’ listless 22-21 loss to Northwestern on Saturday. But, that’s because the news is very bad for his team. The senior passer was crunched on the team’s penultimate play on offense while trying to pick up a first down on 3rd and 3 late in the fourth quarter. It was immediately clear that he was in pain as he lay on the Beaver Stadium turf. Eventually, he hobbled off while favoring his left leg. It appears to be a lower left leg injury. But, there are not yet any specifics on the nature of the injury. But there is on his future status.

“Drew will be done for the year,” Franklin said.

After Allar got hurt, Penn State backup Ethan Grunkemeyer was crushed on a 4th and 3 run. That led to a turnover on downs with three minutes to play. And the Wildcats were able to pick up first downs from there to run out the clock and pull off the upset as 21-point underdogs.

Before the injury, Allar was 13 of 20 for 137 yards. He also threw a red zone interception in the first half. Yet again, the Penn State offense was rarely sharp in this contest.

Penn State is now 3-3 on the year. It has lost back-to-back games. Next up is a road trip to Northwestern. Grunkemeyer will get his first college start there. The primetime contest starts at 7 p.m. ET next Saturday. Peacock will stream the game exclusively from Kinnick Stadium.

More from Penn State coach James Franklin

Here are some other quotes from the Penn State head coach’s postgame news conference:

Opening statement:

“First of all, you have to give Northwestern and Coach Braun a ton of credit. We shouldn’t lose that game. It’s 100 percent on me. And we got to get it fixed. And I will get it fixed.”

On outside noise:

“Yeah, we have worked really hard to keep the building posi and close out all that noise as we possibly can. But for me to say that it doesn’t impact them would not be honest.”