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Penn State Football: The three biggest surprises from this season

By Alec Whitaker

Oct 22, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin celebrates with running back Nicholas Singleton (10) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin celebrates with running back Nicholas Singleton (10) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 12: Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with Kaytron Allen #13.  (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 12: Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with Kaytron Allen #13.  (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

3. Both running backs being this good

There was a lot of hype around true freshman running back Nick Singleton before the season, but a two headed monster was not expected by many.

While Singleton was in fact awesome in 2022, he was not alone. Fellow true freshman running back Kaytron Allen also had a huge year.

Junior Keyvone Lee was expected to still factor into the running back rotation, with him getting the starting job early in the season. Eventually, Singleton and Allen’s talent, along with a suspected injury to Lee, opened the door for the two young backs.

Allen finished the regular season with 830 rushing yards, 172 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns. Singleton carried the ball 149 times for 941 yards with an additional 85 receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Rutgers.

These two running backs created the perfect combo for the Nittany Lions.

Singleton is a speedster, who is headed to the endzone the second he gets to the second level of the defense. Allen is more of a power back who grinds out his yards. Allen is also an advanced pass catcher and pass blocker for his age, thanks in part to the fact he played his high school ball at IMG Academy.

Singleton having a good season was not a surprise, but Allen being equally as good was a little surprising. In some regards, Allen even has the advantage over Singleton at this point in their careers.

This duo has two years with Penn State football remaining, and they can make those two seasons very special.

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