Josh Allen shows flashes of why he'll be a top NFL pick in Potato Bowl win
Josh Allen gave a lot of folks — including John Elway — a glimpse into the intrigue he’ll generate as likely prospect in the 2018 NFL draft in Friday’s Potato Bowl.
The Wyoming quarterback threw for three touchdowns as the Cowboys cruised over Central Michigan 37-14.
His first touchdown pass was an absolute laser. Take a look at this throw.
The second one came as he rolled to his right and fired a strike.
And the third was a deep pass that was right on the money.
Allen’s line wasn’t eye-popping, though he really didn’t have to be. Central Michigan turned the ball over a whopping eight times.
Allen threw just 19 passes, completing 11 for 154 yards. He wasn’t perfect, either. While he made some good throws, he looked like an unrefined prospect.
The throws probably wowed Elway, the former Denver Broncos quarterback and current general manager who was in attendance on Friday. The Broncos drafted quarterback Paxton Lynch in the 2016 NFL draft, but look to be in the market for another quarterback after a lackluster 2018 season.
Allen, a redshirt junior, declared for the draft after the game.
Thank you @J_Prodigy_5 for an incredible career at Wyoming and best of luck in the @NFL! You will always be a Cowboy! #RideForTheBrand #GoWyo pic.twitter.com/tKdKbKr8i6
— Wyoming Cowboy FB (@wyo_football) December 23, 2017
He burst onto the draft scene in 2016 when he was 209-373 for 3,203 yards, 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
With running back Brian Hill and his top three receivers not returning in 2017 — plus a shoulder injury that caused him to miss time — Allen’s stats suffered in 2017. He entered the game with just 1,658 yards passing, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Wyoming jumped out to a halftime 27-7 lead over the Chippewas but didn’t pull away in the second half. After Central Michigan made the game 30-14, the Chips got into Wyoming territory in the fourth quarter with the chance to make it a one-score game.
That never happened after Shane Morris was sacked and fumbled. Defensive end Carl Granderson picked the ball up and ran 58 yards for the clinching touchdown.
Both Wyoming and Central Michigan finish the season at 8-5.
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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
