FOOTBALL

Penn State’s elite RB duo is competing at everything this spring

Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen took the Big Ten by storm in 2022. Now, the duo uses their fiery relationship to push Penn State football to new heights.

Published

6 months ago

April 5, 2023

Matt Thomas

Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Penn State Football

Penn State freshman running backs Nicholas Singleton (10) and Kaytron Allen share a laugh together as they warm up before the 2022 Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 23, 2022, in State College. Hes Dr 042322 Bluewhite © Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

State College — Penn State’s dynamic freshman running back duo took the Big Ten by storm in 2022. By the end of September, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen cemented themselves as mainstays in the Nittany Lions running back room. By the time Singleton streaked 87 yards down the sideline in Penn State’s 35-21 Rose Bowl victory, the pair had emerged as one of the best tailback combinations in the conference and were ready to leap onto the national stage. Now in year two, Singleton and Allen feel they are ready to launch Penn State football to new heights.

The goals laid out by Singleton and others during Tuesday’s media availability were undoubtedly lofty. But according to Singleton, the motivational dynamic between the two standout running backs helps to raise the level of play for the entire room.

‘Compete in everything we do’: Nick Singleton talks firey relationship with Kaytron Allen

Last fall, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen had two of the best freshman seasons in Penn State football history. With 1,061 yards, Singleton joined Saquon Barkley and D.J. Dozier as the only other Nittany Lion running backs to rush for at least 1,000 yards in their freshman campaign. He also set a Penn State freshman record with 12 rushing touchdowns. Allen was not far behind, with 10 rushing touchdowns and 867 yards, the fourth-most by a freshman in program history. Together, the duo became the first true freshman teammates to run for at least 700 yards each in Big Ten history.

Given the prolific seasons from both, much has been made of the personal dynamic that exists between Singleton and Allen. In the transfer portal era, it’s not unexpected to see a prominent pair split up so that each can play a primary role in an offense. But during media availability on Tuesday, Singleton made it clear that the duo — and the entire running back room — uses their success to motivate each other.

“Yeah, me and Kaytron, we’re really good,” Singleton said. “We compete in everything we do, you know…we help each other out. Not just us two. We compete with the whole room, really Tank [Smith], Amiel [Davis], Tyler [Holzworth]. They’ve been really good. So, we have a great running back room. We’re all good.”

Singleton would further compliment Allen’s work ethic, including his incredible body transformation. Last year, Allen lost over 20 pounds before the start of the season and has now added over 15 pounds of mass in the latest roster update.

“Kaytron, like I said, he’s a good player. “Throughout last year — summer — you could tell his body changed,” Singleton stated. “Even this year, going through winter workouts and spring. His body looks good, man. He’s been working his butt off.”

‘All us on us “: Running backs can lead the way for Penn State in 2023

Since the lights went out in Pasadena, Penn State’s returning roster has expressed that 2023 was about achieving something more. Now, the spotlight is returning to Happy Valley with an intensity that hasn’t existed for several years. This is especially true for a proven running back room that will be lining up beside a first-year starter at quarterback. But according to Singleton, the attention is a challenge that can fuel the offense to become even better.

“…me, Kaytron, like the whole running back room — especially Coach [Ja’Juan] Seider — are preaching all eyes on us now,” Singleton stated. “So you know, we got to step it up.” Singleton went on to express how expected starter Drew Allar can help to open up the offense. “It helps a lot with Drew [Allar] because he’s a good player, too,” he said. “He can run, throw the ball, so they got to respect that. So it helps us out so they won’t load the box on us like they were usually doing [last year].”

If Penn State football is to achieve its lofty goals, it starts this spring. And while Big Ten titles or national championships can’t be won in September, they certainly can be lost there. That’s why, for now, Singleton and the rest of the Lions are taking an incremental approach to the 2023 season. “…right now, we are focused on West Virginia,” Singleton said. “Just getting ready for them and finishing the spring off right.”

Penn State football closes spring practice in two weeks during the annual Blue-White game on April 15.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on our social media. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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FOOTBALL

Penn State football defenders respond to statement performance

The Penn State football defense sent a statement to everyone in the country last night with their performance.

Published

6 mins ago

September 24, 2023

Morgan Chapman

Penn State football, Adisa Isaac, defensive unit, Manny Diaz

Penn State's Adisa Isaac celebrates after recovering a fumble during a White Out football game against Iowa Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions shut out the Hawkeyes, 31-0.

The Penn State football defense has been elite early on this season. Against Illinois, they forced five turnovers including four interceptions. Then, last night on the national stage the defensive unit shut out Iowa 31-0. They also caused another four turnovers last night, all came from forced fumbles. So, that’s 9 turnovers caused in the past two games, Manny Diaz has this group dialed in. After the game, we caught up with Adisa Isaac and others who shared their thoughts on this statement performance.

Penn State football defenders respond to statement performance

Defensively, Penn State allowed 76 total yards of offense, total domination from start to finish. Iowa finished the night averaging 1.2 yards per rushing attempt. This unit understood the assignment on Saturday night and they took care of business. We asked Adisa Isaac about his thoughts on this statement performance.

Isaac said, “We have a dominant defense. That shouldn’t be no secret but I feel like we just showed in a shutout against a ranked opponent that we have some stuff that’s flowing and it’s only going to get better.”

He wasn’t the only one. After the game star linebacker, Abdul Carter tweeted “BEST DEFENSE IN THE COUNTRY!!!! #WEARE.”

It shows the energy and the confidence that this unit is starting to play with. It’s at the perfect point in the season for Manny Diaz to have this defensive unit firing on all cylinders. As for Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, he will have to pick up the pace on his lofty goal of scoring 25 points per game. After the Penn State loss, Iowa is only averaging 21.25 points per game.

The pass rush got home

One of the questions James Franklin was asked earlier this week surrounded the topic of lack of stats from star defenders. One of those players was potential 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson who picked up his first sack of the season. This was also a strip sack where Robinson caused a turnover. Amin Vanover and Adisa Isaac also collected sacks against Iowa last night.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on our social media. Also, be sure to check out our new site shop. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

FB RECRUITING

BREAKING: Penn State football lands 4-star LB, top 100 player nationally

Penn State lands top 100 nationally ranked linebacker DJ McClary after the whiteout weekend.

Published

3 hours ago

September 24, 2023

Morgan Chapman

Penn State football, DJ McClary, 2025 recruiting

Sep 23, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin shakes the hands of invited recruits upon the team’s arrival prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

The whiteout is one of the biggest weekends for the Penn State football team. Not only because of the game that was played. But arguably more importantly, it allows Penn State to showcase its greatness to recruits. The atmosphere, the fans, the community, all of these elements factor into a player’s decision to commit to Penn State. James Franklin made sure that he thanked each player and parent after the game as well for making it to State College. Now, DJ McClary has made his decision to join the 2025 recruiting class for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State football lands 4-star LB, top 100 player nationally

Earlier this week, a crystal ball was placed by 247sports Brian Dohn for DJ McClary to land at Penn State. Now, McClary has made his decision to play his college football at Linebacker U. McClary is a four-star recruit and he is a top-100 recruit in the 2025 recruiting class according to 247sports composite rankings. He is from Jersey City, New Jersey, and chose Penn State over Ohio State, USC, Tennesee, Michigan, and several other schools.

DJ McClary is currently the 3rd highest-rated player in New Jersey and is a massive addition to the 2025 recruiting class at Penn State. James Franklin is hopeful that this is one of many commitments that will result from the 31-0 victory over Iowa. After watching the defense last night, how would you not want to play linebacker at Penn State?

Re-racking the 2025 recruiting class

After recently losing Jaelyne Matthews to a de-commitment this is how the 2025 recruiting class is shaping up for Penn State. Four-star RB KiAndrea Barker, three-star S Omari Gaines, and now DJ McClary.

The Nittany Lions are optimistic that they can land four-star running back Tiqwai Hayes who will make his decision tomorrow.

FOOTBALL

JUST IN: Penn State football moves up in the latest AP Poll

The Penn State football team has received its next set of rankings in the latest AP Poll.

Published

4 hours ago

September 24, 2023

Morgan Chapman

Penn State foootball, AP Poll, James Franklin,

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar prepares to throw a 3-yard touchdown pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith during a White Out football game against Iowa Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions shut out the Hawkeyes, 31-0.

The Penn State football team is coming off one of its more dominating performances in recent history. Defeating the No.24 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes 31-0. Not only did Penn State shut out Iowa, but they also controlled the entire game in all three phases. James Franklin and his coaching staff had this team prepared to go to battle last night and they did just that. Now, that the game is past us, it’s time for the next set of rankings in the AP Poll to be released.

Penn State football moves up in the latest AP Poll

Penn State entered the matchup against Iowa as the No. 7 team in the AP Poll. Obviously, the Nittany Lions took care of business and have shown that they can be one of the best teams in the country. But around the country, many teams held their own.

Ohio State went into South Bend as the No. 6 ranked team. The Buckeyes defeated No. 9 Notre Dame 17-14 on a last-second rushing touchdown. This has boosted their ranking as the Buckeyes are now the No. 4 ranked team. Penn State will get their chance to defeat the Buckeyes on October 21st when they travel to Columbus, Ohio.

This week, Penn State received the No. 6 ranking in the AP Poll. It’s challenging to move up the AP Poll when no chaos occurs ahead of your team. That’s the position that Penn State has found themselves up to this point. But now, with Ohio State and Penn State taking care of business they were able to move up. The Washington Huskies are closely trailing Penn State and they’re certainly another team that we need to keep an eye on moving forward.

Nittany Lions next challenge

Penn State hits the road again next weekend. They will face a hungry Northwestern team. This will be another 11 a.m. central time kickoff for the Penn State football team. James Franklin will need to get his team motivated to play in this next conference challenge. The Wildcats are coming off of an overtime upset victory over Minnesota. The matchup will appear on Big Ten Network (BTN) next Saturday.