STATE COLLEGE – No matter how hard some people have tried to divide Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, their bond remains concrete thick.
They arrived at Penn State at the same time in 2022 and immediately forged a kinship. They have spent countless hours together as roommates, teammates, workout partners and friends.
And in their final game at Beaver Stadium, they received a coronation as the most productive set of running backs in Nittany Lions history.
Allen became Penn State’s all-time leading rusher and Singleton tied two career touchdown records Saturday night in a 37-10 beatdown of Nebraska.
“It’s special because it went back to all the winter workouts and things like that,” Allen said. “Pushing each other and feeding off each other. It just means a lot. He’s my brother, and we are just tight. We are always talking to each other off the field and on the field.
“He has helped me grow and I hope I have helped him grow on the field and off the field. That’s my brother.”
Allen carried 25 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns, passed Evan Royster for the record with a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter and reached 1,000 yards for the second straight season. He now has 3,954 career yards.
“Tonight felt good,” Singleton said. “We ended up winning. I scored two touchdowns and tied Saquon Barkley’s records. My boy Fat (Allen) broke the all-time rushing record. It just felt good. I’m proud of him. I’m proud of this whole team.”
Singleton accounted for 95 all-purpose yards, 44 on seven runs and 51 on three catches. He has 5,403 total yards in his career, 135 from Barkley’s school record. He and Barkley have 41 rushing TDs and 53 TDs overall.
Admirably, he has taken a secondary role behind Allen without complaints since Terry Smith became interim head coach on Oct. 12. Which says a lot about his character and about how he feels about Allen.
“There’s no downside (to their friendship),” Singleton said. “There’s no jealousy or anything like that. We’re happy for each other. We want the best for each other. When he’s on the field doing good or I’m on the field doing good, we support each other. That’s my brother.”
They set the tone as freshmen during spring practice in 2022, adding a physicality, a toughness and a dedication that the Lions lacked at the time.
They’re two of just nine Penn State running backs to have two 1,000-yard seasons, joining an illustrious club that includes Barkley, Royster, Ki-Jana Carter, John Cappelletti, Blair Thomas, Curtis Enis and Curt Warner.
If Singleton rushes for 24 yards next week at Rutgers, they will finish their careers as first and fourth on the career rushing list.
“I was confident four years ago, but we had to put the work in,” Singleton said. “It’s unreal. I haven’t taken a moment to think about it. It’s been so fast. Tonight I’m going to sit back and thank God for it.”
In back-to-back interviews this spring, Allen and Singleton talked about their love for each other, how they both wanted to be All-Americans and how they wanted to lead the Lions to a national championship.
They also spoke about beating the other guy to Royster’s record, knowing only one of them might get there. Shortly after it happened Saturday night, Singleton was one of the first on the Penn State sideline to congratulate Allen, giving him a warm embrace with a wide smile on his face.
“I’m still just trying to wrap my head around it,” Allen said. “Unfortunately, the season hasn’t gone as planned. If we could have been winning the whole season and I didn’t get the record, I’d rather do that. I’m just glad I got an opportunity to do this. I’m just grateful for my team.”
Allen and Singleton gave Penn State fans a night to remember near the end of a disappointing season that began with great expectations and sank into despair, costing James Franklin his job.
“Just another unbelievable effort by the tandem,” Smith said. “It’s the dynamic duo. They’re unbelievable. They’re amazing people. They’re unselfish. They’re happy for each other.”
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