INDIANAPOLIS – One quarterback is weeks away from his 24th birthday and in his sixth year playing college football at his third school.
The other one is 20 and in his third season, all at the same school.
Despite the differences, Dillon Gabriel of Oregon and Drew Allar of Penn State received props this week for their poise from the coaches in the Big Ten championship game.
“He seems like he’s been playing college football for the last 10 years,” Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said about Gabriel. “If you watch him play, he looks so relaxed. He looks so poised. You’re not going to give him a whole lot that he hasn’t seen before.”
No. 3 Penn State (11-1) will try to neutralize Gabriel and No. 1 Oregon (12-0) Saturday night at 8 (TV-CBS) at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The 6-0, 200-pound Gabriel was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year after transferring from Oklahoma. He’s completed 73.5% of his passes for 3,275 yards and 24 touchdowns with six interceptions and rushed for seven TDs.
A native of Hawaii, he began his career at the University of Central Florida in 2019 and spent three seasons there before transferring to Oklahoma and playing two seasons there. He was an All-Big 12 first-team pick last year when he threw for 3,660 yards and 30 TDs.
He’s in his fifth season as a starter and will make his 62nd start Saturday night, an NCAA record for a quarterback.
“Everybody would love to run out there with the experience that we have at quarterback,” Ducks coach Dan Lanning said. “That experience shows up consistently every Saturday for us. More than anything, Dillon has the ability to be calm within the chaos that exists in a football game.
“He’s a great decision-maker who understands the scheme. It feels like having another coach out there on the field.”
Franklin and Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki feel the same way about the 6-5, 235-pound Allar, who’s in his second season as a starter.
A native of Ohio, Allar has been more efficient, more mobile and more decisive this season. He’s completed 71.6% of his throws for 2,668 yards and 18 touchdowns with five interceptions. He’s ranked seventh nationally in pass efficiency, one spot ahead of Gabriel.
“Composure is certainly one of the things that sticks out about him,” Lanning said, “and his understanding of the offensive scheme. It’s about taking what’s there, but he’s also a guy who has made some really tight throws. He understands his personnel and his strengths.
“More than anything, he’s a composed operator. He can execute at a really high level.”
Allar relies on tight end Tyler Warren, who’s third in the Big Ten with 81 receptions for 978 yards and six TDs, and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who have combined for 1,431 rushing yards and 12 TDs.
“He’s obviously an elite player,” Lanning said about Warren. “It’s a matchup issue. He’s a complete tight end. They do as good a job as any team of utilizing their personnel. Their scheme is really difficult to plan for. That’ll be a fun challenge for our defensive staff.”
Gabriel also has talented skill players playing with him. Jordan James has rushed for 1,166 yards and 13 TDs; wide receiver Tez Johnson has 67 catches for 685 yards and nine TDs; and tight end Terrance Ferguson has 35 receptions for 490 yards and two scores.
“The running backs are really good,” Franklin said. “The tight end is really good. The receivers are dynamic. He (Gabriel) is throwing to guys who can make plays.
“They’ve done a really good job of recruiting and developing. They have size, speed and athleticism and have done a good job of using it.”
Rich Scarcella’s pick
Oregon 27, Penn State 24
These are two evenly matched teams statistically. The Ducks started the season slowly and built momentum, peppering every Big Ten opponent but two. The Nittany Lions have overcome four halftime deficits and are playing their best ball of the season. Like most football games, this one will be decided in the trenches, where Oregon has a slight advantage.
Source: Berkshire mont
Be First to Comment