Why Penn State RB Kaytron Allen is built for a game like Michigan: ‘I can’t be denied’

James Franklin described Penn State’s matchup with Michigan as “big boy” football. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, they have a bruising tailback rounding into form.

Kaytron Allen is hitting his stride. The 5-foot-11, 222-pound sophomore — one of the more underrated running backs not only in the Big Ten, but in the country — is seeing the field, bursting through open holes and emphatically barreling through would-be tacklers.

Just ask the Maryland defenders he dragged with him into the end zone last weekend. Allen, after meeting first contact at the 7-yard line, churned his legs for a 10-yard score.

“I can’t be denied,” Allen said of his mentality. “That’s always going through my mind. I don’t want to be denied. I just want to get in the end zone.”

Allen’s approach and how he applies it will be crucial Saturday. Michigan is the top scoring defense in the country and one of the best against the run. The Wolverines have allowed only two rushing touchdowns while giving up 90.1 rushing yards per game (10th in the FBS).

This weekend will be a stiff test for Penn State and its offensive line. That’s why the purpose with which Allen runs the rock will be so instrumental. If the Nittany Lions want to pull off the upset at home, they’ll need Allen heavily involved, fighting for every yard he can get.

That’s not to say Nick Singleton won’t have a role. Singleton and Allen — who broke out as a record-setting freshman duo in 2022 — have split series and reps again this year. Franklin said at his Monday press conference that rotation won’t change.

But Allen has been the better option than Singleton through nine games. Allen has rushed for 573 yards on 119 carries (4.82 yards per attempt). Singleton has managed 480 yards on 121 carries (3.97 yards per attempt). Singleton has struggled whereas Allen has been consistent, providing a level of sustainability to an up-and-down Penn State offense.

That’s what Allen has done the last couple of weeks. After carrying the ball only nine times in the loss at Ohio State, Allen totaled 32 carries for 172 yards in wins against Indiana and Maryland. His success on first and second down proved to be invaluable. And he got into the end zone at Maryland on a run that put the finishing touches on the victory.

Allen, after crossing into the end zone, flexed in the face of a Maryland defender. That run and that reaction reverberated with the Penn State sideline and traveling fans.

Allen said he loves to talk trash because he knows he’s going to back it up: “You either come with it or get lost. I’m gonna come with it.” That mindset is infectious.

“He’s a tough guy,” Franklin said after Wednesday’s practice. “Every run he’s usually breaking tackles, punishing tacklers, carrying guys for another 2 or 3 yards. He’s really, really playing well. We talk about toughness being a key ingredient as a team and on offense. He’s one of the guys that I think does a phenomenal job of setting that tone.”

Said wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith: “He delivers the blow, and he keeps trucking. … It gives us confidence. He can run somebody over, and we all get energized. We’re ready to play for the next snap. We feed off that energy.”

Allen is hoping to provide that energy yet again this weekend. Only if he does, it won’t be against a middling defense like Maryland or Indiana. It’ll be against the Wolverines — the two-time defending Big Ten champions and a College Football Playoff favorite.

Allen understands the stage he’s about to take. And he feels like he’s built for the moment.

“These are the types of games I came here for. These are the types of games I strive for,” Allen said. “To have an opportunity to play in this type of game is a blessing. … I’m always ready.”