Kaytron Allen has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, making this the third straight week a Penn State running back has been recognized.
Allen’s classmate, Nick Singleton, has already received Freshman of the Week honors twice this season for his performances against Ohio (10 carries, 179 yards, two touchdowns) and Auburn (10 carries, 124 yards, two touchdowns).
This week, it’s Allen’s turn.
The former four-star from the famous IMG Academy broke 100 yards for the first time in his college career Saturday against Central Michigan.
Allen finished the game with 111 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, helping Penn Stare to a 33-14 win.
On the season, Allen is averaging six yards per carry. He has 217 yards on 36 rushes and three touchdowns. Allen’s first two college scores came in Penn State’s 41-12 Week 3 demolition of Auburn. Allen finished that game with 52 yards on nine carries (5.8 YPC) and the two touchdowns.
Over the past two games, Allen has 163 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries (7.4 YPC). He gave Penn State’s offense a big boost Saturday.
Singleton, who started at running back, only gained 42 yards on 12 carries, so it was important for Allen to step up. Singleton is still expected to be Penn State’s starter going forward.
Allen is currently 10th in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns and eighth among freshmen in the country. He’s also ninth among freshman nationally in rushing yards.
Penn State is the only school in the country that’s had two freshmen break 100 yards in a game, and the season isn’t at its halfway point yet. Before Singleton went for 179 against Ohio, Penn State hadn’t had a running back in any class break 100 yards since Keyvone Lee did it against Michigan in 2020. This season, Penn State’s had a runner eclipse 100 yards in three of its four games.
