Allen starts at QB for Syracuse

Published Aug. 31, 2013 4:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

Drew Allen is starting at quarterback for Syracuse against Penn State.

Allen and Terrell Hunt competed for the starting job through preseason practice and new coach Scott Shafer decided to keep his starter a secret until the Orange offense took the field in the opener. Allen is a graduate transfer from Oklahoma and a former blue chip high school prospect. The senior was 18 for 30 for 160 yards in two seasons as a backup for the Sooners. He didn't join the team until preseason practice.

Hunt is a sophomore who has never thrown a college pass, but his experience in Syracuse's system gave him a head start on Allen in the race to replace Ryan Nassib, who was drafted by the Giants.