To nobody’s surprise, Beau Pribula ran the football a few times against West Virginia.

Pribula, Penn State football’s No. 2 option at quarterback, rushed three times for 25 yards. Per his standard, he threw fewer times than he rushed: once for a 19-yard touchdown via Tyler Warren.

Pribula wasn’t expected to have a breakout year with Penn State in 2024. If one comes for the redshirt sophomore, it would arrive after Drew Allar, the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback, leaves the program. However, Pribula is expected to see a lot more of the field this year than he did in 2023.

Pribula’s special packages that Penn State had drawn up, where he and Allar are on the field at the same time, didn’t debut last year until the Maryland game in November. However, under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, Pribula and Allar spent plenty of time sharing the field against West Virginia.

Against the Mountaineers, Pribula lined up at quarterback and wide receiver. If Kotelnicki asked, Pribula probably would’ve snapped the ball to Allar while starting center Nick Dawkins lined up in the slot. It wouldn’t be too out of the question.

For Pribula, the role isn’t too shocking. While he was recruited to Penn State as a quarterback, he said he knew the Nittany Lions saw him as more than just a gunslinger.

“Penn State recruited me, and they were always impressed with my athleticism,” Pribula said Tuesday. “I played wide receiver my freshman year of high school, and was successful doing that. And they knew I was an all-around athlete.”

“I’m willing to do anything that can help the team,” he continued. “And it’s a lot of fun doing different things.”

Pribula’s role with Penn State has always been a bit odd. He played second fiddle to Allar from the moment Allar committed to the recruiting class of 2021. He was good enough that some fans thought he should start, but really just hasn’t been there.

Penn State has tried to get Pribula on the field as much as possible since Allar became the starter. It seems James Franklin is still working on how that happens, as much as he’s committed to getting Pribula in-game reps.

Still, Pribula’s mere existence is oftentimes enough to help out Penn State. While he isn’t regarded as much of a passing threat, Pribula tossed 19-yard touchdowns every time he threw the ball against West Virginia, even if it was just one, 19-yard touchdown. That sort of play forces defenses to scout and prepare for Pribula in a different way that allows for Penn State to exploit that uncertainty.

“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,” Franklin said.

“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,” Franklin continued. “Being able to each week add to that package so that the defense can’t put you into a package when he comes on the field.”