PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen ended their final regular-season contest, and entered the program history books, the same way they started their Penn State football careers: together.
The senior running back duo was the engine behind the Nittany Lions' 509 yards of offense in the 40-36 victory on the road against Rutgers. Allen, who became the program's all-time leading rusher last week against Nebraska, finished the Rutgers game with 226 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Singleton, who broke the rushing touchdown and total touchdown record against the Scarlet Knights, finished with 86 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt was a game that exemplified the tandem the two backs were over the course of four years in State College, which is rare in a time when it's more often one of those players leaves to have a larger role.
But they are more than two guys who simply play the same position — they became brothers and built a bond so strong that it can survive the hardships of an up-and-down season.
More: How Penn State football somehow beat Rutgers, gets bowl eligible
Nov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images"It just means a lot. I couldn't do it without him," Allen said about he and Singleton. "I'm glad he was here because we both feed off of each other, on and off the field.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"That's my dog. His family is my family, and vice versa. Real talk. I love Nick."
Interim head coach Terry Smith also commended Allen and Singleton staying together all four years, especially as a duo that truly had to split carries even though both were starting-caliber running backs.
"Sometimes guys overlap. Like Saquon Barkley overlapped with Miles Sanders, but they didn't really share," Smith said. "These guys literally shared for four years, and both of them reaped the rewards of sharing. It speaks volumes to both of their character. One of then could've transferred, went somewhere and been 'the guy.' For them to stay with us speaks volumes about Penn State in itself."
Smith has been vocal about Allen and Singleton getting their respective records — Allen with the rushing yards and Singleton with the touchdowns. While he didn't want his team to "go out of the way" to achieve those goals, he was confident that if Singleton and Allen got a combined 30 rushing attempts, the goal would be complete.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow with only one game left in their college careers, should both play in the bowl game, Penn State's latest running back duo will soon pursue the next goal of being drafted into the NFL. Similar to everything else, they'll likely do that together as well.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Kaytron Allen, Nick Singleton's record-setting day vs Rutgers
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