EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.— Drew Allen is Syracuse’s starting quarterback against Penn State on Saturday,  head coach Scott Shafer announced before the Orange’s 3:30 p.m. kickoff against Penn State on Saturday in the New York’s College Classic.

At halftime, Allen is 6-for-12 for 67 yards as the Orange trails 6-3. His most impressive throw came on a 27-yard connection with sophomore H-back Ashton Broyld. He also connected downfield with Adrien Flemming.

After slipping on his first snap of the game, Allen has looked competent and comfortable playing primarily in the pistol, but hasn’t been able to lead SU into the end zone as the Orange has been fairly conservative on offense. He completed his first five passes, but has gone just 1-for-7 since.

Allen, a senior transfer from Oklahoma, spent three years backing up Landry Jones and Sam Bradford. He came to SU this offseason and competed with redshirt sophomore Terrel Hunt for the starting job.

Hunt ran the unit for parts of the spring, but upon Allen’s arrival, Shafer announced it would be an open competition from the start of training camp.

Shafer said the coaches had a “direction” they wanted to go with last week, but that he would wait to announce the starter until game time.

While Shafer said he trusts both quarterbacks to run the offense — and that he may play both in the same game — Allen has the edge in experience and arm strength.

He did not play at all for the Sooners last year, and has 30 career attempts.

Published on August 31, 2013 at 3:34 pm

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1