Penn State backup QB Beau Pribula thriving in Swiss Army knife role
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Prominent among the takeaways from Penn State’s convincing season-opening win over West Virginia is the Nittany Lions have no shortage of playmakers who can cause trouble for opposing defenses.
Quarterback Drew Allar looked sharp to begin his junior campaign, running back Nick Singleton stole the show on the ground and receiver Harrison Wallace had a breakout performance.
But it may have been backup quarterback Beau Pribula who turned in the most intriguing day.
Pribula starred in several offensive wrinkles in the debut of coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, rushing for a pair of first downs, attempting a 2-point conversion, as well as tossing a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tyler Warren in the fourth quarter.
Beau Pribula to Tyler Warren for Penn State’s fifth touchdown of the contest.
The Nittany Lions take a 34-12 lead with nine minutes to go in the game pic.twitter.com/VoWPX3MMJG
— Micheal Bolger (@MichealBolger) August 31, 2024
The redshirt sophomore from York admitted he couldn’t say what exactly Kotelnicki has in store for him this year. But he’s preparing for whatever circumstances arise.
“I’m not sure what he has up his sleeve moving forward in the season, but I know he’s experienced with doing a lot of different stuff,” Pribula said Tuesday. “I think the next step is really just continuing to develop and really just being able to do everything that he asks me to do, whether that’s lining up at running back, receiver, quarterback — whatever that is.
“Just trying to be good in all those areas because I’m going to be asked to do things like that.”
Pribula is embracing the larger role for himself within No. 8 Penn State’s offense, one that increasingly looks to be of a Swiss Army knife variety.
A former three-star recruit out of Central York, Pribula attracted offers from Nebraska, West Virginia, Syracuse, Northwestern and several others.
While he may not have envisioned undertaking such a versatile role in college, it’s one he’s increasingly coming to enjoy.
“I knew that Penn State recruited me, and they were always impressed with my athleticism,” he said. “They knew I was kind of an all-around athlete. Of course, I’m willing to do anything that can help the team, and it’s a lot of fun doing different things.”
After redshirting in 2022, Pribula’s playing time evolved as the 2023 campaign progressed.
Pribula’s performance of the year arguably took place in the Peach Bowl against Ole Miss.
While the 10th-ranked Nittany Lions fell to No. 11 Ole Miss, Pribula threw a 48-yard touchdown strike to Singleton and hit Wallace for a successful 2-point conversion late in the fourth quarter.
Early last season, made several late-game appearances, but by year’s end, he had laid a foundation for 2024.
“It’s one thing to play at the end of the game where nothing really matters, but to play and get that experience last year in big moments like the Peach Bowl and later in the year vs. Rutgers and Michigan State, that was big to gain that experience,” Pribula said.
“ … This past Saturday, it made it a lot easier and it was a lot more comfortable for me to get in there in big moments.”
The versatile Pribula gives opposing defenses yet another weapon to think about.
“I think it’s a real positive for us, because although Drew obviously is showing he can make plays with his feet. Beau has that ability maybe at a little bit different level and a little bit more of a playmaker,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “So, being able to get him on the field (can) really challenge the defense. We have a ton of different ways we’re going to be able to do that with both of them on the field or just Beau on the field.”