The stage is set in Happy Valley this weekend as Penn State hosts Oregon in its famed White Out, one of college football’s most recognizable atmospheres. The game is not just another prime-time showdown, it is also shaping up to be a crucial moment for quarterback Drew Allar.
ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers believes the outcome will hinge on how Allar performs, not on defense or coaching, but directly on the quarterback’s shoulders. With Penn State chasing Big Ten and College Football Playoff aspirations, the pressure has never been higher for the former five-star recruit.
Rodgers puts spotlight on Drew Allar in White Out showdown
Rodgers did not hold back on ESPN’s Get Up when discussing Allar’s role against the Ducks.
“Penn State needs to win because of Drew Allar,” Rodgers said. “Not with Drew Allar, not in spite of Drew Allar, which is a lot of what we saw at times last year.”
He pointed out that in last season’s Playoff wins, Allar never topped 13 completions. In the loss to Notre Dame, he completed only 12 passes, none to a wide receiver.
The 6-foot-5 quarterback arrived in 2022 as the nation’s No. 28 prospect and the third-ranked signal-caller in his class. After serving as a freshman backup, he became the starter in 2023.
Through three games in 2025, Allar has completed 64.8 percent of his throws for 626 yards, with four touchdowns and just one interception.
For head coach James Franklin, the narrative of failing in marquee games lingers. Since his arrival in 2014, Penn State has gone 5-3 in New Year’s Six or CFP contests, 1-1 in Big Ten title games, and 15-28 against Top 25 opponents.
Rodgers argued that breaking that cycle falls squarely on Allar.
“So, if James Franklin and Penn State are going to get over the hump of these big games, it’s going to be because of their quarterback,” Rodgers said. "Drew Allar has to make big throws. Last time these two teams matched up, he had two interceptions and they lost by seven. So, it’s all on Drew Allar’s shoulders."
When the Nittany Lions and Ducks last met, Allar threw two interceptions in a narrow seven-point defeat.
A strong performance this weekend could not only put Penn State in line for a Big Ten Championship appearance but also boost Allar’s national profile while reshaping the perception of the program.