Penn State's Beau Pribula (9) runs for a first down during the second half of an NCAA college football game against the Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

MADISON, Wis. – In today’s impatient college football world, backup quarterbacks keep the transfer portal a crowded place.

That’s why anyone who has followed the Penn State football team feels good for Beau Pribula today.

For going on three seasons, Pribula has played second fiddle to Nittany Lion starter Drew Allar, coming in mainly to offer a change of pace with his legs.

That changed Saturday night when Allar twisted his left knee late in the first half, and Penn State was losing to Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium, one of the Big Ten’s more difficult venues.

In came Pribula, who showed his poise and accuracy, completing 11-of-13 passes and sparked the Nittany Lions to a 28-13 win over the Badgers.

It was easily Pribula’s finest hour.

James Franklin called it “a gutsy, culture win by unselfish players,” and started with Pribula, who “has waited his turn.”

While he acknowledged the win “wasn’t pretty,” Franklin credited his third-ranked Lions (7-0) for accomplishing what good teams do – find a way when things are going well.

And they weren’t.

Not only was Allar hurt, but so were defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton and offensive tackle Anthony Donkoh.

Wisconsin led 10-7 at half and trailed just 14-13 entering the fourth quarter, when the place shakes from “Jump Around.”

Pribula, though, wasn’t rattled. He kept the chains moving and was responsible for nine first downs and two touchdowns in the last two quarters.

When asked if his decision to stick with the Lions was a “validation,” he said no, but agreed it was “satisfying because we won, and that’s all that mattered.”

Franklin praised Pribula, calling him “a character kid from a character family, who is universally respected in our locker room,” adding, “I’m not surprised (by his performance) at all.”

Pribula said he was better prepared for the environment than perhaps he’s been in the past.

“I’m a year older and have more experience,” he said. “I have more confidence. I stayed true to myself and didn’t flinch, and the team and coaches had my back.”

Franklin said offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and his staff smartly adjusted the playcalling to fit Pribula’s strengths.

That included some designed runs (six for 28 yards) but also some medium-range routes that suit Pribula, and his presence opened up more running lanes than the Lions saw in the first half.

Franklin told Allar at halftime to remain a positive leader, and Pribula felt that, saying the quarterback room is tight-knit with Allar, third-teamer Ethan Grunkemeyer and prior Sean Clifford. They have also gained wisdom from Trace McSorley, who has been around the facility more as he awaits his next football stop.

“We all know what Trace meant to the program,” Pribula said.

There were certainly stretches of this game in which the Lions did not look like the No. 3 team in the country.

The injuries taxed their depth, but Wisconsin’s offense could not take advantage, and the Badgers’ defense eventually wore down.

Jaylen Reed’s 19-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter put the Lions up 14-10, a lead they didn’t relinquish.

“From that point on,” Franklin said, “we were able to take control of the game.”

Now 7-0, Penn State has put itself in the position it had hoped it would be – unbeaten and welcoming the Buckeyes to town on Saturday.

It’s an Ohio State program that has absolutely owned Franklin, going 9-1 against him with the Lions’ only win coming in 2016 on Marcus Allen’s blocked field goal that Grant Haley returned for a touchdown, catapulting the Lions to their only Big Ten title.

The Lions may not be 100 percent. Franklin said afterward that Allar tested his knee at halftime Saturday and didn’t think he could be “mobile enough” to run the offense.

Dennis-Sutton, who along with Abdul Carter are the Nits’ best pass rushers, tried for one play to come back from a leg injury but couldn’t.

But the Nittany Lions, even for a noon kickoff, will benefit from a stoked home crowd that can practically taste beating the Buckeyes.

They’ll also benefit from proving they can come from behind, having done so in the last two games, both on the road, against Southern Cal and now Wisconsin.

“In moments like this,” Pribula said, “we learn a lot about ourselves.”

The QB position has been solid all season, but it got even stronger thanks to Beau Pribula.

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.