As Nittany Lions Wear Down Opponents, Singleton and Allen Have Still Yet to Really See the Fourth Quarter

Penn State’s running game is, if nothing else, an interesting exercise in things that are working but almost certainly not in the way you might have imagined it.

The Nittany Lions are averaging 4.55 yards per carry, a respectable mark that is 53rd in the nation, while leading the Big Ten in rushing yards per game and 16th overall nationally. It isn’t flashy, it isn’t sexy, but you can win a lot of games rushing for about five yards a clip. There’s a reason Penn State is now second in the nation in time of possession and fifth in scoring offense. It’s methodical and it’s effective.

But it’s also a change of pace. For a running back room that boasts Nick Singleton – the 2022 Big Ten freshman of the year who appeared poised to crank out big run after big run in 2023 – he and his counterpart Kaytron Allen have largely been held in check when it comes to those explosive runs. No small part of this has to do with how teams are playing Penn State, one might recall that for every big run by Saquon Barkley there was no shortage of him getting tackled for a loss as Penn State’s offensive front lost the numbers game. Then again even Barkley still managed those big runs.

All the same there’s a new brand of running in State College this season, a lower the shoulder type of run, an ice bath after the game type of run. Forget the shimmy and shake, here’s a black and blue. In turn Penn State has given up just 22 tackles for a loss this year, the fifth-best mark nationally through six games.

“(I want to) let them know, ‘I’m here all night,’ ” Singleton said earlier in the year. “Let them get scared, so next time they’ll think about trying to tackle you. I love that.”

The curious thing about Penn State’s running game is also the fact the Nittany Lions haven’t needed to lean on the main horses in the fourth quarter. So far this year Singleton and Allen have just 14 combined carries in the fourth quarter, the Nittany Lions often so far out in front that most of Penn State’s starters are watching the game from the bench in the final 15 minutes of regulation. Allen, the arguably more physical of two accounts for just two fourth quarter carries this year.

“Like [running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider] always says, 4 or 5 yards is staying on pace,” Singleton added. “We’re getting first downs and moving the ball down the field.”

Penn State almost certainly having to play a four quarter game on Saturday will be an interesting wrinkle in the Nittany Lions’ ability to continue to wear down opposing defensive fronts. Penn State is averaging 3.93 yards per carry in the first half by 5.12 in the second. Quarter-by-quarter Penn State’s totals steadily go up over each 15 period. Even without Singleton and Allen, the Nittany Lions have put up 402 yards on the ground in the fourth. There might be said for something for opponents wilting mentally as much physically in these blowout situations but good running is good running.

All of that being said, Singleton is waiting for that moment to come again, he’s too fast, too good, too dynamic not to eventually hit a big run when it matters most. Maybe Saturday is the moment it happens, maybe it isn’t, but as long as the Nittany Lions can slowly tenderize the Buckeyes with a methodical ground-and-pound, Singleton can find some happiness in that too.

“I feel like I’m patient,” he said. “Coach Seider always tells me, Kaytron, Trey (Potts) and the whole running back room that long runs are coming and to be patient. Getting those 4 or 5 yards is getting first downs and moving the ball down the field …. as long as we’re winning I’m good.”