#7 Nittany Lions get underwhelming performances from RBs Allen, Singleton

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are both men of few words, but when the two Nittany Lion running backs speak up, they are direct, forceful and to the point.

A bit like their similar running styles that have left opposing defenses sore and out of control with no way to stop them.

“We always feed off each other,” Singleton said. “That’s the kind of game we play.”

The fiercely competitive duo combined for 196 rushing yards and became just the second group of Nittany Lion teammates to eclipse 2,000 career rushing yards in Penn State’s 21-7 win over then-No. 19 Illinois on Saturday. They joined Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell, two Hall of Famers who both passed the 2,000 mark as Nittany Lions in 1971.

“There were physical runs today, so I couldn’t be more proud of this group and their performance,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “That will be important for us the rest of the year.”

No. 7 Penn State (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) will play its fourth straight home game against UCLA (1-3, 0-2) on Saturday before the schedule tightens.

After their home game ends, the Nittany Lions travel to USC and No. 13 Wisconsin, teams that struggled with the run before Singleton and Allen got a crack at No. 3 Ohio State’s defense on Nov. 2. The Buckeyes allow just under 62 rushing yards per game.

In the meantime, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki will continue to provide support for his two workhorses.

He alternated Singleton and Allen with success throughout the games. First up against the Illini, Singleton didn’t disappoint, ripping off runs of 14 and 16 yards to set up Tyler Warren’s short, rushing touchdown.

Fast starts were routine for Singleton and these first four games were a return to form.

While he had a solid sophomore season a year ago, Singleton admitted he wasn’t nearly as explosive as he could have been. As a freshman, he had 24 carries of 10 or more yards and 12 runs of 20 yards. Those numbers fell to 16 and 4, respectively, last year.

He has already completed 12 carries of 10 or more yards and four 20-yard bursts this season.

Allen’s explosive playing ability also fluctuated, but he managed to rip off 18 runs with 10-plus players last season as he and Singleton split the workload evenly. This year he has already reached half of that total.

Even though they made those long highlight runs, both players would cite bolder plays as their favorites starting Saturday.

Allen extended his drive in the second quarter with an edge run that blasted Illinois defender Miles Scott. As Scott flew backwards, Allen lowered his shoulder to intercept another player’s hit and gain the first down.

“I’m not going to fall backwards,” Allen said. “I will always fall forward. That’s exactly what I am.”

Singleton converted a crucial third down to keep Penn State open in the third quarter.

On third-and-seven from Penn State’s 47, Singleton beat Gabe Jacas with a chip block that sent the 6-foot-1, 275-pound linebacker flying before tucking in a checkdown pass from Drew Allar. Singleton had to jump about six yards from first down to catch the ball. But he turned, lowered his shoulder and ran through a defender to move the chains.

“They ran hard,” Allar said. “There were a lot of people running them over today. It was great to see them get into the end zone and really seal the deal for us.”

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