Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Drew Allar to be Replaced by Former Top-10 QB After Season-Ending Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 9:10 PM ET

Penn State lost 22-21 to Northwestern on Saturday, but suffered an even greater loss on offense.

The Nittany Lions are now 3-3 on the season. Penn State came into Week 7 fresh off a 42-37 loss to UCLA on the road, and lost to Northwestern for the first time since 2015.

Quarterback Drew Allar struggled, and finished with 137 passing yards and one interception. He also ran for 25 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Allar suffered an apparent ankle injury during the fourth quarter, and unfortunately it is season-ending, via head coach James Franklin.

The injury will thrust backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer into a starting role for Penn State.

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15). Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Allar's season will end with 1,100 passing yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

Grunkemeyer was a former four-star recruit and the No. 9 quarterback in the 2024 class. The Lewis Center, Ohio, native held offers from the likes of Ohio State, Tennessee, Minnesota, Cincinnati and others.

He has played in three games this season and threw one touchdown pass in the 52-6 win over Villanova on Sept. 13. He also saw the field versus Nevada and FIU, recording a new high in passing yards in a game (86) against the Wolf Pack

The young gunslinger played in one game in 2024, but took his redshirt year.

His lone game action last season came in the College Football Playoff game against SMU, where he threw one interception and ended with nine yards.

Penn State's quarterback room also contains Bekkem Kritza, Jack Lambert and Jaxon Smolik. However, Grunkemeyer is the only one of the four other Penn State quarterbacks to see the field this season.

If the Nittany Lions choose to give Grunkemeyer the start on Oct. 18, he will play Iowa on the road. Kickoff for Penn State-Iowa is at 7 p.m. ET on Peacock.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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