Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has pledged to put the ball in the hands of his best players this fall. And throughout the process of defining who these players are, it’s become very clear that backup quarterback Beau Pribula is one of them. Pribula isn’t expected to start, at least in the traditional sense. But his potential impact can’t be overlooked.
Pribula doesn’t view himself as the backup to starter Drew Allar. And after scoring six rushing touchdowns last season, why should he? He’s a playmaker, spark plug and wild card who should fit Kotelnicki’s creative scheme better than maybe anyone. What his role will look like is exactly what opposing coaches are likely trying to figure out.
“I gotta be ready to get thrown in at any point of the game and to run any type of play,” Pribula said on Saturday.
It occurred to Pribula very early on that he fit perfectly into Kotelnicki’s puzzle. Pribula watched clip after clip of Kotelnicki’s Kansas offense, beaming over his usage of quarterbacks Jalon Daniels and Jason Bean. There was always room for each quarterback to contribute, whether in the pass game or on the ground, even with running back Devin Neal as a priority.
That way of doing things is not said to be changing in Kotelnicki’s playbook — good news for Pribula.
“Holistically speaking, you have to make sure that however you identify those best players, maybe it’s a running back, quarterback, tight end, whoever it is; OK, what parts of our offense need to grow and expand because this person is going to need more touches?” Kotelnicki said.
Pribula won’t give out the secrets; it’s still a matter of “we’ll see.” There’s sure to be a multitude of personnel sets, but which ones primarily, no player would admit. But just the thought of his role within Kotelnicki’s system makes Pribula smirk. That should say enough on its own.
“As spring ball rolled around, I finally got to be in the offense and see how they can utilize their skill sets. I think it was really exciting for me because I think I fit in really well with his offensive style,” Pribula said. “He has a lot of things that, you know, benefit my skill set.”
Kotelnicki’s schemes are filled with eccentricities. Unique formations, countless motions, everything designed to catch the defense off guard. There are “a million ways” to run an offense, Kotelnicki said, and he’ll employ anything that will help win games. Even if that means turning to his players for ideas.
As complicated as his offense may appear to defenses, Kotelnicki has made it easy for his players to understand. And it’s been well understood by Pribula that he’ll be utilized, as well as Allar, this fall.
“It’s been really cool to see just how really creative you can get on offense, and how simple it is for us, but how much stress it can cause for the defense,” Allar said.
Pribula can only wait to show the world exactly what his role will be. But he trusts, whole heartedly, that he’s in the right place with Kotelnicki leading the way.
“I think it’s a really big deal to have the leader of the offense who can bring the morale of the offense and kind of rally behind a leader like him. He’s a very good coach, but he’s an even better leader. And I think the guys have really bought into that,” Pribula said. “I think that’s helped our offense as a whole.”
