James Franklin and Penn State have a bona fide star at quarterback in Drew Allar. The former 5-star recruit has settled in nicely as the starter for the Nittany Lions as the team prepares to resume play from a bye week.

At his weekly press conference, Franklin was asked about Allar and the fact the QB has yet to turn the ball over in his PSU career. Franklin noted one thing that helps the offense — and the team in general — is a QB that’s willing to take the check-down throws if the coverage does not allow him to take a deep shot.

“I don’t want to talk about it a whole lot to be honest with you, but he’s done a really good job from a decision-making perspective, from an accuracy perspective with an understanding of the offense. One of the thigns I thought was most exciting in the last game was his ability — Mike’s ability — to call shots down the field, and if the underneath coverage sinks, take a check down,” said Franklin. “That’s extremely valuable as a play-caller when you have a guy that will allow you to call shots, not force the ball down the field, and take the back as a check-down.”

As a follow-up to Franklin’s comment, one reporter asked if the offense still needs Allar to take a deep shot regardless of the coverage. The idea was presented as a scenario where a receiver is not initially open but could become open or make a play on the ball.

Needless to say, Franklin did not appreciate the idea.

“I don’t really understand what you’re saying, because we would never — like my skin is crawling when you say just drop back and chuck it deep no matter what,” Franklin explained. “That is like, I don’t even know what you’re saying, it’s like you’re speaking from Mars.”

The reporter referenced some of the former great wideouts Penn State had as a part of the question, but Franklin was still having none of it. Franklin reiterated — heavily and firmly — that it’s a “strong no” that the team does not want Allar to take deep shots for the sake of taking a deep shot.

“I still don’t know — like you’re speaking Japanese. We’ve never done that. Just throw the ball up and maybe he’ll be open and maybe he’ll catch it. You’re making me uncomfortable, I don’t know what you’re talking about, so we would not do that,” said Franklin. “We would never do that. We’ve never thought about doing that. As a head coach, as an offensive coordinator, as a receivers coach — I coached receivers, I didn’t want (QBs) to do that, so no. No. Strong no. Like, yeah, no. I’m hoping we can cut this out so this doesn’t even get into the universe.”

(H/T Mark Brennan)