Penn State quarterback Drew Allar was more animated Saturday at West Virginia than he was during any game last season.
He signaled for a first down after a couple of his scrambles. He quickly argued to the officials that the Mountaineers had simulated the Nittany Lions’ snap count, resulting in an ill-timed snap and a first-quarter fumble.
He nodded and smiled at West Virginia linebacker Josiah Trotter after stiff-arming him on his way to a first down.
Penn State coach James Franklin said Monday that he welcomed that reaction from Allar.
“Demonstrative is a really good word to describe it,” Franklin said. “I don’t know if I would have necessarily said that I knew it was coming, but I was sure glad it happened.”
According to his teammates, Allar has been much more assertive since summer workouts. He was elected a team captain by his teammates, coaches and staff.
He looked very comfortable in the Lions’ 34-12 season-opening win over the Mountaineers. He completed 11-of-17 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns and carried six times for 44 yards.
“It’s Year 2 for him as the starting quarterback and Year 3 in the program, so he shouldn’t look the same,” Franklin said. “He shouldn’t behave the same. There should be growth. There should be more confidence. There should be more swagger because he’s earned that.
“He’s worked really hard. You see it in his play.”
Allar’s most memorable moment was running for a first down as fended off the 6-2, 240-pound Trotter, the son of former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter.
“For that to happen near our sideline,” Franklin said, “and for our sideline to see that and see him make a play that he has not made in the past and to react the way he reacted was really pretty cool.”
Donkoh stands tall: Redshirt freshman Anthony Donkoh made his first career start and played “really well” at right tackle, according to Franklin.
Donkoh and the offensive line helped Penn State rush for 222 yards and protected Allar and Beau Pribula, not allowing a sack.
“He played really well in the bowl game (Peach Bowl against Mississippi), which gave us some excitement about what his future could be,” Franklin said. “Then we thought he went out and played really well in Week 1.
“You can’t have enough guys who are 6-foot-5 plus and 330 pounds and can move like him. He has consistency and intelligence. He’s going to get better and better.”
Donkot got the start over Nolan Rucci, the Wisconsin transfer and former Warwick standout. Rucci saw action in the second half.
“We plan on playing Rucci more and getting him some opportunities,” Franklin said.
Saunders update: Wide receiver and punt returner Kaden Saunders only fielded punts in the opener Saturday and did not play on offense because he had “bumps and bruises.”
He made a fair catch on all four West Virginia punts.
“We weren’t sure if he was going to be able to go,” Franklin said. “As long as the doctors, the trainers and Kaden felt like he could go, we were only going to use him as the punt returner.
“We’re hoping to have him back not only as a return man but also as a receiver this week (against Bowling Green Saturday at home).”
Staying with Sahaydak: Redshirt junior Sander Sahaydak made all four of his PAT kicks, but he missed a 47-yard field goal try in the fourth quarter.
Sahaydak, the former Liberty High star, is now 1-for-5 on field goals in his college career.
“We wanted to give him an opportunity to try a field goal and start on the right foot,” Franklin said. “We have a ton of confidence in him based on what he did all of training camp and what he did in the spring. I know he’ll make the next one.”
