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Penn State running back Kaytron Allen has raised his game since the postseason began.
He’s running with an edge, which is something quarterback Drew Allar first saw shortly after they arrived on campus in 2022.
“The first time I saw it was the first contact drill we had in spring ball when we were freshmen,” Allar said. “He was seeking out contact. You don’t see a lot of guys do that. He runs like that every time he gets the ball. That’s just who he is. He wants to punish whoever’s in his way.”
The 5-11, 220-pound Allen has rushed for 328 yards, a 7.8 average and three touchdowns against Oregon, SMU and Boise State.
Allen, Nick Singleton and the Penn State ground game will face a stern test against Notre Dame in a College Football Playoff semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Orange Bowl (TV-ESPN).
The Fighting Irish limited Georgia to 66 rushing yards in a 23-10 win in the Sugar Bowl, a CFP quarterfinal.
The Nittany Lions, on the other hand, are averaging 202.5 yards on the ground in the CFP after rolling up 297 against Oregon in the Big Ten title game.
Allen ran for 124 against the Ducks, 70 against SMU and 134 against Boise State. No back has more rushing yards in the playoffs. It’s his best stretch of the season.
“I think Kaytron is playing his best football right now,” Allar said. “He looks really fast. He’s doing a great job in pass protection. Kaytron’s game has really taken the next step and it’s been really fun to see that.”
He could have had a lot more yards against Boise State, but a 50-yard gain in the second quarter was wiped out by a penalty. On that run, he ran over and plowed through several defenders before he was brought down.
“It was a great run,” said Singleton, his backfield mate and roommate. “He’ll tell you that the O-line did a heck of a job blocking. Once he…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-kaytron-allen-running-044600898.html
Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.
Publish date : 2025-01-06 04:46:00
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