Or, more specificially, how far Allar has brought himself. "It wasn't perfect," Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said of the team's game-tying drive. "And we had to kind of scratch a claw and fight our way to find success. That last drive ...

Andy Kotelnicki knew Tyler Warren was a good tight end soon after Penn State’s James Franklin hired him as offensive coordinator in December. He didn’t realize until later that Warren could become a cornerstone of what he wanted to do, along with quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

Penn State’s staff decided Warren was the right fit to snap the ball as a decoy center. Despite the novelty of the play, Warren didn’t get much separation. USC corner Jaylin Smith ran with Warren and was in position to knock the pass away, but Warren contorted his body to make the catch on the defender’s shoulder while falling to the ground.

There was a common theme during Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s first news conference since the summer: He is happy with the progress his players have shown and the results they have earned.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar is playing more confidently under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. The play-caller explains why.

Tyler Warren, Penn State's gifted tight end, reveled in an "aggressive" gameplan that included plenty of sleight-of-hand vs. USC.