Quarterback impresses in spring game

If there was ever any talk of a backup-quarterback controversy, Drew Allen ended it with his performance in Saturday’s spring game.

The San Antonio native, who will be a sophomore in the fall, completed 55 percent of his passes for 179 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

“Drew (Allen), I thought, was impressive for sure in that first half and did a lot of really nice things,” coach Bob Stoops said during the Red-White postgame press conference.

Allen outperformed redshirt freshman Blake Bell, who was 12-of-28 for 84 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Bell took snaps with both squads so the coaches could get a better look at him after a slow start, offensive coordinator Josh Heupel said.

Bell seemed less comfortable in the pocket and with the plays than Allen, only further distancing the two.

Heupel’s calls were almost 50-50 with passing and rushing plays to allow the coaches to evaluate the tandem of running backs, so neither quarterback threw what they would in a real game situation, but Allen said the spring-game experience boosted his confidence.

“Coach Heupel talked about how this is the closest we are going to get to a game-like situation (before the season starts),” Allen said. “It does bring a lot of confidence to myself and to the whole team that I was able to hold my own today.”

Allen said his offseason workouts and spring practices have prepared him if he’s called on during the season.

“I think I will be ready to step up if I need to play some next year,” Allen said. “I feel more prepared to take my role as backup.”

James Corley

James is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Sports Reporter, Sports Editor, Night Editor, Sports Reporter, Inside the Huddle Editor, Managing Editor and Sports Reporter.