EAST LANSING– Through one of the darkest seasons in Penn State football history, Kaytron Allen has been one of the only consistent bright lights.
Through tough losses, a coaching change and uncertainty for what’s ahead, Allen has consistently played well.
Against Iowa— the first game of the post-James Franklin era– Allen had one of his best games ever, gaining 145 yards on 28 carries with two touchdowns.
But it was a sour night for Allen because Penn State didn’t win, falling short by one point.
Three games later, Allen was even better, going for a career-high 181 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
This time, he had no reason to be sour, because, for the first time in more than two months, Penn State won, beating Michigan State 28-10.
“Fatman” was all smiles afterward in East Lansing.
“It’s been a long year,” Allen said, “and for us to do that, get the dub, that’s all that matters. We were trying to get one this week, and for us, Coach Terry (Smith), for the team, for the whole program, for the janitors, everybody played a part.”
GROUND AND POUND
Traditionally, Penn State football has been all about pounding the rock.
From Lenny Moore over 70 years ago to the present day, Penn State has churned out quality runners like the Beatles churned out hits.
The previous week against Indiana, Allen had his worst statistical game of the season, gaining just 48 yards on 19 carries and having a fumble that led to a Hooiser touchdown late in the first half.
Against Michigan State, Penn State had no issues running the ball.
Teams don’t run it 50 times if they aren’t having success.
“That’s kind of the whole game plan was to do that,” Allen said, “and it worked out.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.All of this led to Allen feeling the happiest he’s felt in “a minute.”
“Especially for last week,” he said. “I kind of had a down week, just because I don’t feel like I played my best last week. So I was just trying to come in this week to show what I got.”
Allen certainly showed what he has Saturday, and you better believe his offensive line was appreciative.
“Oh my gosh, man,” Anthony Donkoh said. “Like I said last time, I think (after) Iowa, it’s a blessing, man. It’s impressive with what he can do with the rock in his hands. Same with Nick (Singleton), too. I’m just glad he was able to bust a lot open today.”
“Those guys have been working hard,” center Nick Dawkins said, “and been chipping away. To finally see some explosiveness in the run game and open up some holes in them, exploit their defense, it was awesome to see. They work their tails off, and they’ve been very selfless for our program and for us. So they deserve to have games like that.”
ON THE BRINK OF HISTORY
Allen has a chance to become Penn State football’s all-time leading rusher.
To do that, Allen needs 139 yards over the next two games, so there’s a chance he does it this week at home against Nebraska, which ranks 14th out of 18 Big Ten teams in run defense.
But whether or not Allen gets the record, playing on Saturdays has been therapeutic for him.
“Anytime I go out there, it reminds me of how much I love football,” Allen said. “Anytime I step out on the field, because like I said, football keeps my mind off a lot of things. It’s been a long year, long season, long year with my family, stuff like that. So whenever I play football, it keeps my mind off things. Just try to do it for my family, my mom, and all them supporters, everybody for real.”
Allen was asked what the first thing he’d do to celebrate the win outside of the locker room would be.
He kept it simple.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Call my mama or something.”
