Penn State running back Nick Singleton appears to be on the track to playing at Purdue on Saturday. James Franklin said after practice on Wednesday that he’s “confident” Singleton will be “ready to go” against the Boilermakers after he exited with an apparent injury in the third quarter of a 35-6 win over Washington this past weekend.
Singleton was an active participant at Wednesday’s practice viewing session, and appeared to move without any trouble. That’s a positive sign for the Nittany Lions’ star running back, who ranks second on the team with 761 scrimmage yards and is tied for the lead with seven total touchdowns.
“I think it’s been important for us to get Nick involved in the passing game in maybe the non-traditional running back routes and other ways that make it more difficult to defend,” Franklin said. “I think it’s going to help him long-term in his career as well. Just the more things he’s able to do, the more comfortable he is doing them.”
Singleton was sidelined with an injury against UCLA on Oct. 5. Despite being inactive for a game, with three more left to play, he is already on pace to improve his statistics in the pass game. Singleton currently has 22 receptions for 218 receiving yards and his four receiving touchdowns are a career-high.
His impact as a receiver has helped maintain his impact offensively despite a drop in carries over an injury-riddled season. Singleton currently has 88 attempts for 543 yards and just three rushing touchdowns, trailing fellow running back Kaytron Allen in all three statistical categories this season.
“His ball skills have gotten dramatically better from his freshman year. We got to continue to do that,” Franklin said. “But obviously, being out here at practice full-time, those things are all important, in how big of a part in the game plan he has on those things.”
What else did Franklin discuss after practice on Wednesday?
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
With nine games down and three more to play, Franklin knows better than ever before where his team’s strengths and weaknesses lie. On Wednesday, Franklin was candid about the improvements he’d like Penn State to make over the remainder of the regular season, beginning with becoming a consistent four-quarter team.
“We started early in the year playing really good in the second half. Last week, we played as good of a first half as I think we’ve played,” Franklin said. “We got to put it together for four quarters and be able to have a kind of killer mindset, keep your foot on the pedal for four quarters.”
To become a more complete team over both halves relies heavily on the success of an offense which has gone scoreless in the first quarter three times this season. The spotlight is on a wide receiver corps which has caught just one touchdown in Big Ten play and quarterback Drew Allar to make the necessary plays with his crop of pass-catching talent.
“We got to be able to consistently throw the ball and make plays and get open no matter who we play,” Franklin said. “And I would say, also, the consistency in the running game as well.”
Franklin would also, unsurprisingly, like to see his defense become more disciplined. Both pre- and post-snap penalties have been a major problem for the Nittany Lions this season, and played a key role in an eighth-straight loss to Ohio State.
When Penn State isn’t called for penalties, Franklin said, “We make it very difficult on people, in terms of earning yardage and earning first downs down the field.”
The final area of improvement that Franklin listed is on special teams. Not to say that the Nittany Lions haven’t been strong in that department, but blocking a kick and returning a kickoff or punt for a touchdown is “something that I think could really help us,” Franklin said.
DEVELOPMENT OF TYLER WARREN
A few weeks ago, Tyler Warren stood in front of the team and shared a valuable story — that, as a true freshman, he didn’t know if he’d ever play. Fast forward five seasons and Warren is having arguably the most dominant season by a tight end in program history. It was a message that Franklin said was “valuable” for freshmen who may be thinking the same thing.
Warren currently leads Penn State with 775 scrimmage yards and is tied with Singleton for the team’s most total touchdowns, with seven. He is a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, the Mackey Award for the top tight end in college football and a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award for the nation’s most versatile player.
“He’s been phenomenal,” Franklin said. “And right now, to me, it’s not even a question that he’s the best tight end in college football. You can make the argument he’s one of the most impactful football players in all of college football.”
