Penn State coach James Franklin brought in Andy Kotelnicki as offensive coordinator to increase the number of explosive plays in the passing game and the running game.
And to get the football in the hands of the Nittany Lions’ best weapons.
That means Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen will be very busy when eighth-ranked Penn State opens against West Virginia in Morgantown, W. Va., Saturday at noon (TV-FOX).
“They’re two of the best players on our team and around the country,” quarterback Drew Allar said. “They’re super special. They’re going to play a huge role for us just because of how much they can do.”
Singleton, the former Gov. Mifflin star, and Allen will be used in multiple ways. They’ve both worked on their pass receiving and have been seen practicing in the Wildcat formation.
“The (two-back) personnel is effective when they (opponents) have to fear both of those backs as runners, blockers and receivers,” Franklin said. “Kaytron has been a good receiver since he got here. That’s where Nick has improved as much as anything, in his confidence and ability to be a receiver.”
Two years ago, Singleton and Allen became the first pair of freshmen in Big Ten history to rush for at least 700 yards apiece and rejuvenated Penn State’s offense, especially the rushing attack.
Singleton ran for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns and averaged 6.80 yards per carry, seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision and fourth in Lions history. Allen gained 867 yards and rushed for 10 touchdowns.
Last year, Allen ran for 902 yards and six touchdowns and Singleton had 752 yards and eight TDs, but his average per carry dipped to 4.4. They combined for just nine runs of at least 20 yards last season compared to 16 in 2022.
Defenses crowded the line of scrimmage to stop them with the wide receivers struggling to create separation. They also averaged 15 or fewer touches a game.
“We’re going to be smart enough to make sure they touch the ball more than they have in the past,” running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider said earlier this month. “I don’t want to take shots at the guy who was here before (fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich), but if they get 6 or 7 yards on first down we’re going to be smart enough to make sure they touch it again and not try to push the ball or force some things.”
Kotelnicki spent the last three seasons as the offensive coordinator at Kansas, where the Jayhawks finished eighth in the nation in rushing last year and ahead of the Lions the last two seasons. The top two Kansas backs combined for more than 1,900 yards last season.
Penn State would be thrilled if Singleton and Allen do the same.
“Their running backs are elite talents,” West Virginia coach Neal Brown said.
Brown knows a thing or two about ground attacks. The Mountaineers are run-oriented with returning quarterback Garrett Greene and running backs C.J. Donaldson and Jaheim White, who starred at York High in Pennsylvania.
West Virginia ranked fourth in the nation in rushing (229 yards per game) last year and had more than 5 yards per carry. Penn State’s experienced defensive line will be tested.
“Their quarterback can make plays with his feet,” Franklin said. “That has an impact on their running game. Then they have two backs who are complementary pieces. Obviously the young man from in state here has done a great job. Then Donaldson is more of the workhorse, the 240-pound kid who started out at tight end.
“We have a tremendous amount of respect for those guys. Their O-line coach (Matt Moore) does a really good job consistently. “
Singleton and Allen combined for 121 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries last year in a 38-15 win over West Virginia, and Allar passed for 325 yards and three TDs.
“I think we’re putting them in good positions for them to have one-on-one matchups and make plays in space,” Allar said about Singleton and Allen. “When we can get those guys in space, that’s going to be a good thing for us because of how explosive they are.”
Rich Scarcella’s pick
Penn State 31, West Virginia 20
The Nittany Lions know their first trip to Morgantown since 1992 won’t be easy. Their terrific defense will face a talented Mountaineers offense. The outcome might depend largely on Penn State’s new-look offense against a defense that lost a large number of players to the NFL and the transfer portal.
Source: Berkshire mont