The world saw a fiery Drew Allar not even five minutes into the first quarter of Penn State football’s 34-12 victory over West Virginia on Saturday.

It was a side of Penn State’s starting quarterback that many fans hadn’t seen before as he got into the face of a referee Brian Alos after a fumbled snap gave the Mountaineers the ball on Penn State’s 28-yard line.

Allar was making his case that a West Virginia defender clapped his hands, causing center Nick Dawkins to snap the ball prematurely. A play later, Penn State’s defense got the ball back by recovering a fumble of its own off an errant snap by West Virginia’s center Brandon Yates.

Later in the game, Allar stiff-armed West Virginia linebacker Josiah Trotter and lunged for the first down to set up Beau Pribula’s touchdown pass to Tyler Warren two plays later. After the play, Allar smiled and had some words for Trotter in front of the Penn State sideline as he headed back to the huddle.

Those are examples of Allar’s character that Penn State fans didn’t see much of last season. Allar showed in week one that he can be vocal and lead with his actions, along with having some moxie when he has the ball in his hands.

During his press conference Monday, James Franklin attributed the change in Allar’s on-field demeanor to his maturation and his confidence.

“Confidence is something you earn. It’s not something you get,” Franklin said of Allar. “He’s worked really hard and you see it in his play. That stiff arm was a credit to our strength and conditioning program but also a credit to [Allar] and the work he’s put in.”

Franklin said he enjoyed seeing Allar’s stiff arm — a play he hasn’t made in the past — and seeing the team and Allar’s reactions. He also said quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki have helped Allar be more confident and comfortable at the quarterback position.

Not only has Allar grown as a player, but he’s grown as a leader too. Although Allar was the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback last season, he wasn’t named team captain by his teammates and coaches. However, Allar was named a team captain this year and due to his new role on the team, he felt he had to speak up to the refs on the premature snap.

“I had to tell the refs that I can’t let that slide because that’s going to be a disadvantage for us all day [if I don’t],” Allar said after the game Saturday.

Another thing Penn State fans didn’t see much from Allar in 2023 was him escaping the pocket and using his legs to find first downs.

Allar rushed 69 times last season for 170 yards and four touchdowns. However, he only rushed for 2.5 yards per carry. Against West Virginia Saturday, Allar averaged 7.3 yards per carry.

“We call him Lamar Allar,” Franklin said jokingly after Saturday’s game. “I thought he ran better than people probably expected.”

“If your quarterback can get you two or three first downs a game with his legs, it changes everything.”

Allar finished with 44 yards on six carries to go along with his 216 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

According to Penn State Athletics’ website, Allar went from 242 pounds in 2023 to 235 pounds this season. Franklin mentioned Allar losing weight and said the former five-star recruit was in the weight room this offseason working on being a more explosive runner.

Part of being a more comfortable and confident quarterback is knowing you can beat a defense with your arm and your legs. Because of that, Allar said he’s just focused on maintaining his weight.

“I definitely feel faster than last year,” Allar said. “Obviously, dropping seven to 11 pounds from last season [helps]. That’s where I want to be, so I’ve just got to do a good job of keeping and maintaining that weight.

Running back Nick Singleton, who also was productive running the ball against West Virginia, said after the game that although Allar likes to give opportunities to his skill players to make plays; if nothing’s open Allar doesn’t mind keeping the ball himself too.

“He’s a team player. He loves to win,” Singleton said. “But if he sees nothing going on, he loves to run. He’s a good player. He’s a good duel-threat quarterback.”