Forget Drew Allar’s sparkling passing numbers in Penn State’s first three games and watch some video of him.

He looks different than he did last season when he appeared tentative and restrained. He seems confident, relaxed and free.

Brad Maendler, Allar’s quarterback trainer in Ohio, sees that, too, and smiles.

“I’m so excited for him,” Maendler said Wednesday. “This is the player that I know. One of the key action verbs for me is decisiveness. I don’t care who they’re playing. There’s a decisiveness about his game that’s a really positive sign. He’s trusting what he sees and letting it rip.”

That was often not the case with Allar last year, his first as the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback. He didn’t take many chances. He didn’t throw the ball downfield. It looked like he tried not to make mistakes.

He’s playing loose this season. He’s more patient and less hurried. He’s moving better in the pocket after dropping weight. He’s playing for an offensive coordinator, Andy Kotelnicki, who’s taking advantage of his strengths and making football fun again for him.