Penn State is having arguably their most challenging season in over a decade. While the focus of attention will likely be on recently fired head coach James Franklin for a while, the impact of the firing reaches far beyond the dismissed head coach.
Senior RB Kayton Allen has been a consistent bright spot during what must feel like dark times in Happy Valley. According to Sports Illustrated, after the loss to Iowa, Allen stood on the field at Iowa trying to explain what keeps him going. Allen said, “this year, it’s been a long year.”
Allen leads the Nittany Lions in rushing with 612 yards, 9 touchdowns and a 6.2 ypc, while also being the most consistent player in 2025. Despite being on pace for almost 1,000 yards on the season, Penn State has struggled.
Penn State faces its toughest test of a long year this week when Penn State faces undefeated and No. 1 team in the country Ohio State. Allen’s consistency has caught the attention of Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day who said, “I think he’s running as good as anybody in the country.”
Allen has been consistent when Penn State needed it most
Penn State leaned on Allen vs Iowa and he delivered, despite a tough one point loss. While the passing game failed to reach a hundred yards passing, Allen had 145 yards on 28 carries (5.2 ypc) and two touchdowns. An Iowa end around rushing touchdown with under four minutes to play and a trick play late, ended Penn State’s attempt to break the losing streak. Allen’s efforts did not go unnoticed.
Despite the valiant effort, Allen still felt like they left plays on the field. “I could have done something better” Allen said while noting a cutback lane he believes was open earlier in the game. When asked about the chaos and abruptness of the Franklin firing, he was open and honest.
“It was heartbreaking, but sometimes you’ve just got to keep going.”
Allen will likely need to be the consistent player he has been if Penn State is to challenge No. 1 Ohio State this week. Despite the circumstances surrounding Penn State and the firing of James Franklin, the Nittany Lions present the last big ‘talent test’ before their annual meeting against Michigan.
No. 1 Ohio State travels to Happy Valley to take on the struggling Penn State Nittany Lions. The game will kick off at Noon eastern and broadcast on Fox.
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