If there has been one true highlight for me covering Penn State in 2025, it came in an impromptu moment at Spartan Stadium after the Nittany Lions’ 28–10 win. As player availability began to wind down, the entire offensive line walked out together that was a surprise to everyone.
“Where’d that come from? Honestly, I’m not sure why we don’t do it more. The boys had a day. You get one of us, you get all five of us,” center Nick Dawkins said.
The offensive line did have a day. It set the tone in the run game as Penn State ran the ball a season-high 50 times compared to just 13 passes Penn State finished with 237 rushing yards, led by a career-best 181 yards from senior running back Kaytron Allen. Allen and running back Nicholas Singleton combined to average 5.9 yards per carry.
I asked guard Vega Ioane how it felt to physically dominate in the trenches.
“It felt real good. I feel like it was a big game for us to show our true identity,” Ioane said. “You know, a lot of people talking about how we can’t run the ball, things like that. Well, there it is, man. And it just goes to show how well five people have to work as one for it to succeed. And everybody saw it. That’s how it works.”
Interim coach Terry Smith said during his weekly press conference Monday that, after 10 games, the offense has finally found its identity.
“After the game Saturday, our entire O-line came to the presser, and that’s our identity now,” Smith said. “We’re going to run the football, and those guys are embracing that. It’s just a mentality we’re going to carry. I’m looking forward to us coming out this weekend and establishing the line of scrimmage again.”
Penn State dominated on the left side of the line, rushing for 168 of its 240 team yards through gaps from center to outside the left tackle an average of 7.3 yards per carry.
The win kept Penn State’s bowl hopes alive, and the remaining schedule plays favorably into the Nittany Lions’ newfound identity.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Nebraska currently ranks 13th in the Big Ten in rush defense, allowing 162.5 yards per game, and has surrendered at least 150 rushing yards in each of its past four games. If Penn State gets past Nebraska, it closes the season with Rutgers, which ranks last in the conference in rush defense at 196.5 yards per game.
Allen and Singleton are chasing school records as well.
Allen (3,794) is 139 rushing yards away from breaking Evan Royster’s career rushing record (3,932).
Singleton (50) is two touchdowns shy of passing Saquon Barkley for the school’s all-purpose touchdown mark (51).
Smith said he understands the balance between team success and individual goals.
“We know that in our keys to victory every week, Kaytron and Nick have to touch the ball,” Smith said. “If they’re touching the ball, we’re going to get closer to those goals. I want nothing more than for him to have the opportunity to break the record, but it’s paramount for us to get him the football for us to have success. They work hand in hand. Hopefully we can get it.”
