Penn State running back Kaytron Allen has improved his game since the start of the playoffs.
He runs with an edge, something quarterback Drew Allar first saw shortly after they arrived on campus in 2022.
“The first time I saw it was the first contact drill we had in spring ball when we were freshmen,” Allar said. “He was looking for contact. You don’t see a lot of guys doing that. He runs like that every time he gets the ball. It’s just who he is. He wants to punish anyone who gets in his way.
Allen, 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, had 328 yards, a 7.8 average and three touchdowns against Oregon, SMU and Boise State.
Allen, Nick Singleton and the Penn State ground game will face a stern test against Notre Dame in a College Football Playoff semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Orange Bowl (TV-ESPN).
The Fighting Irish held Georgia to 66 rushing yards in a 23-10 victory in the Sugar Bowl, a CFP quarterfinal.
The Nittany Lions, meanwhile, are averaging 202.5 rushing yards in the CFP after rolling up 297 against Oregon in the Big Ten title game.
Allen ran for 124 against the Ducks, 70 against SMU and 134 against Boise State. No back has more rushing yards in the playoffs. This is his best sequence of the season.
“I think Kaytron is playing his best football right now,” Allar said. “He looks really fast. He does a great job in pass protection. Kaytron’s game has really taken the next step and it’s really fun to see that.
He could have had a lot more yards against Boise State, but a 50-yard gain in the second quarter was negated by a penalty. During this run, he ran over and slammed into several defenders before being taken down.
“It was a great race,” said Singleton, his teammate and roommate. “He’ll tell you the O-line did a hell of a job blocking. Once he lowered his shoulder, I knew someone was going to fall. He continued anyway. He’s a physical runner, a really angry runner. He’s just really good. This gave energy to the offense, even if it was called back.
Allen and Singleton both reached 1,000 rushing yards for the season in the Fiesta Bowl, the first pair of Penn State backs to accomplish this feat. Both are strong, powerful backs.
When Allen runs as hard as he has since early December, he can wear down Penn State’s opponents.
“It’s incredibly exciting when someone runs that hard, runs through people’s masks and destroys your opponent,” defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas said. “I know it’s also incredibly demoralizing to see a guy like him running through guys and going 20 or 30 yards after contact.”
Allen has not discussed his plans for 2025. He is expected to be a third-day pick if he decides to turn pro.
He and Singleton have been as valuable as anyone for Penn State over the past two months.
“We have the best duo in all of college football.” » said Lions coach James Franklin. “Kaytron is so physical. He is able to crush you, keep his feet and extend his runs. Even though he was recalled, the race he had was very impressive. He runs very well.
Singleton was asked if he had noticed a difference in Allen in recent weeks.
“Kaytron was good,” he said. “He takes care of his body. He’s in the training room every day. He’s a team player. Everyone loves him to death. He tries to make everyone better. He does all the little things.
