James Franklin addresses ‘last-minute’ decision to keep Penn State star out vs. UCLA

James Franklin and the Nittany Lions’ rushing attack was without junior standout Nicholas Singleton against UCLA on Saturday, a last-minute scratch to the Penn State football starting lineup. But it mattered little as Penn State handled the Bruins inside Beaver Stadium, winning by a final score of 27-11.

Concerns over Singleton’s ability to play this week emerged Wednesday when the star running back was absent from the Nittany Lions’ practice viewing window. At the time, James Franklin expressed optimism that Singleton would be ready for UCLA.

Listed as questionable in the program’s conference-mandated availability report Saturday morning, Nicholas Singleton was announced among Penn State’s starters just before kickoff.

However, he would not see the field during Penn State’s 85-yard rushing outing against UCLA.

Kaytron Allen received the lion’s share of the workload in Singleton’s stead, carrying the ball 21 times for 78 yards and a score.

We also saw true freshman Quinton Martin for the second time this season. Martin was elevated to the third running back slot after Cam Wallace suffered a long-term injury against Kent State. The former top running back in Pennsylvania finished the day with a one-yard rush, along with three catches for 18 yards.

In his postgame press conference, Franklin addressed Singleton’s absence.

“Yeah, I thought we’d have him Thursday. I thought we’d have him Friday. I thought we’d have him today,” Franklin said. “I didn’t find out until after warm-up, Ja’Juan [Seider] and [head athletic trainer] Andy Mutnan came into my office, excuse me, came into the locker room and told me. So, literally, it was a last-minute deal.

“I mean, obviously, not having a guy like Nick Singleton is significant, but it was a tremendous opportunity for Kaytron to get a few more touches, and it was also a great opportunity to get Quinton in there. So, you know, really, really good opportunity for those two guys. And I think overall, we handle it well.”

You can watch James Franklin’s entire postgame press conference on the Basic Blues Nation YouTube Channel.

The Nittany Lions will now prepare to cross the country themselves, traveling to Los Angeles next week to take on USC.

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