Penn State will be without its best offensive player for today’s Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported late Saturday morning that Kaytron Allen will not be playing.
Penn State interim coach Terry Smith told reporters on a Zoom call Friday morning that Allen would be available.
But on Saturday’s Big Ten injury report, Allen was listed as questionable, and Thamel broke the news right before kickoff. Now, one of the best careers in Penn State history has come to a close. Allen is the all-time leading rusher at Penn State, breaking Evan Royster’s record in the second-to-last regular season game against Nebraska.
The fact that Allen accomplished this despite splitting carries with another extremely talented back in Nicholas Singleton makes the feat all the more impressive.
Allen’s senior season was his best yet. In a year where so much went wrong, Allen was a consistent bright light, ending the season with 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.With Allen and Singleton both out, we’ll have a chance to see some of Penn State’s younger backs. Smith said Friday that Corey Smith, Quinton Martin and Cam Wallace would all see an increased role.
Smith and Martin were both from the Class of 2024, with Martin being one of Penn State’s top recruits in the class. Martin was initially ahead of Smith on the depth chart, but Smith’s promise, along with Martin dealing with injuries, has led to Smith getting more time.
Wallace is in his third season, having overcome a catastrophic injury to find himself back in the mix.
Allen ends his Penn State career with 4,180 yards rushing, the only back in Penn State history to reach 4,000.
