Penn State running backs unique in key respect
Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich understands the alternative. Charged with shepherding two dynamic true freshman running backs, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, the pair have been unique in one important respect.
In a fiercely competitive environment, one fostered throughout the Nittany Lion program, both players have naturally embodied that spirit. It hasn’t, however, inhibited the sense of camaraderie necessary to propel each other forward.
“How they’re able to complement one another and also compete against each other, so to speak, but be really good teammates to one another,” Yurcich said. “They push one another, but they pick each other up, too. They got each other’s backs.
“That’s been the biggest key to the whole thing, is them being unselfish and playing their butts off for each other.”
Penn State running back debuts
Statistically, that took shape as 941 yards and 10 touchdowns on 149 carries for Singleton. Allen, meanwhile, added 830 yards and nine touchdowns on 156 yards.
Combined, the pair became one of just three Penn State rushing duos to top 800 yards on the season. Among all freshmen nationally, redshirt or true, they were also just one of three duos to do the same. And among true freshmen, only West Virginia’s Steve Slaton and Pat White accomplished the same this century.
Behind the impressive production is a set of abilities that complement one another.
In Singleton, the Nittany Lions had a running back who injected explosive playmaking absent from the room each of the past two seasons. For the year, he finished with eight runs of 30-or-more yards while the Nittany Lions had just two total carries as a team last season for the same.
Establishing both toughness and consistency, Allen also made an indelible mark on Penn State’s offense. Cementing a reputation as a hard and consistently tough runner, Allen produced carry after carry for positive yardage.
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“It’s their attitudes and their ability to do all things. They’ve got good strength. You’ve got to credit their high school programs for how far along they are,” Yurcich said. “And those guys have been top-notch and have gradually gotten better throughout the season.”
Next steps
Crediting running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider for that development, the outcome through the regular season, with the Rose Bowl still on tap next Monday, has been one Penn State has collectively taken pride in.
Juggling egos, competitiveness, and high expectations throughout the season, the optimism held ahead of the season came to fruition. And now, poised to springboard into the 2023 offseason with aspirations for even more in the weeks and months ahead, Penn State is eager to see what’s next.
Proving their capabilities on the field, it’s a standard the Nittany Lions believe can carry over throughout the program.
“They are very mature guys there. Neither of them are very talkative guys, but they have good leadership skills that we have to continue to develop and they have to become more vocal for us,” Yurcich said. “They’re our best players and they got to continue to step up with that, but that’s got to be a natural process and that will happen. But those guys, right now lead by example, they play extremely tough and physical. And they’re great teammates.”
