The final stampede for Penn State's backfield brothers

By 2024, they had become Penn State’s first running back duo to each eclipse 2,000 career rushing yards since Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell in the early 1970s.

Allen’s bruising running style is tied to a nickname that’s followed him since childhood: Fatman.

“It came from my mom, so when I was a baby, I was fat,” Allen told Adam Breneman on "Next Up."

Their chemistry isn’t just statistical. It’s a mindset. 

“We’re the best duo in the country, for sure,” Allen told Lions 247 after a pivotal win this season. 

Singleton agreed.

“We always feed off each other. It’s the type of players we are.”

Challenges and evolution

The past two seasons weren’t without adversity.

In 2023, Singleton’s breakaway runs vanished, with a season-long of just 24 yards. His yards per carry dipped from 6.8 to 4.4, but he adapted, becoming a key receiving threat in critical moments.

Meanwhile, Allen’s consistency faltered in 2024. After a stellar performance against Wisconsin, where he averaged 7.8 yards per carry, he hit a final-stretch slump, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry with one touchdown over five games.

Both backs rebounded when it mattered most. After a loss to Ohio State, Singleton averaged 5.9 yards per carry with four touchdowns, while Allen returned to his bruising form, helping Penn State find its offensive identity late in the season.

The final run

Against Oregon, the pair delivered one of their finest performances, reinforcing their value to an offense now in transition. With backup quarterback Beau Pribula entering the transfer portal, the duo faces its toughest test yet in the College Football Playoff. 

SMU’s defense, ranked fourth nationally, allows just 93.4 rushing yards per game and 2.7 yards per carry. Rotating 12 linemen — five of whom have logged at least 30 pressures — the Mustangs are built to dismantle rushing attacks.

For Singleton, with just 458 efficient career carries and a projected top NFL draft spot, and Allen, whose production exceeds his current late-round draft projection, these playoff games are more than a farewell. They’re stepping stones for their NFL futures and pivotal moments for the trajectory of Penn State football.

When the final whistle blows — whether the playoff run ends in triumph or heartbreak — Penn State’s fate will rest on the legs of a duo we may never see again in college football. Their shared journey, built on grit and glory, will serve as a testament to the power of unity and resilience in the game.