Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1541276
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 5 3 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M prior to the Michigan State game on Nov. 15) and has moved up to third place on PSU's career rushing list with 3,613 yards. The senior is within reach of Evan Roys- ter's Penn State record of 3,932 yards. But against Indiana, senior Nicholas Singleton returned to the spotlight. His 59-yard run versus the Hoosiers was his longest of the season, and he finished with 10 carries for 71 yards and 2 touch- downs while adding 3 receptions for 22 yards, including a 19-yard score. Against Iowa and Ohio State, Allen led the ground attack. He carried 28 times for 145 yards and 2 scores versus the Hawkeyes before racing for 76 yards on 21 carries, one of which went for a touch- down, against the Buckeyes. The running game continues to be an inconsistent part of an inconsistent at- tack. Wide Receivers As was the case last year, this group has been inconsistent and not as produc- tive as Penn State has needed it to be. And unlike last year, this group doesn't have a Tyler Warren at tight end to make up the difference. Super senior Trebor Peña did shine against Indiana, finishing with 6 catches for 99 yards on 8 targets, but the Lions had been waiting all season for a break- out game from the Syracuse transfer. In the team's eight previous games, he totaled 26 catches for 232 yards and 1 touchdown. Redshirt senior Kyron Hudson has all but disappeared from the offense, and the team's third offseason portal addi- tion, senior Devonte Ross, has not been as productive as expected. The Lions do have a bright spot in true freshman Koby Howard. He averaged 20 yards per catch against Iowa, Ohio State and Indiana, but he has been used infre- quently, totaling only 4 receptions for 68 yards on the season. Getting him more involved in the passing attack will be im- portant for Penn State down the stretch. Tight Ends Redshirt senior Khalil Dinkins had his best game of the year against Indiana, catching 4 passes for 40 yards. That modest stat line indicates how rough this year has been for the Wexford, Pa., na- tive. Redshirt sophomore Andrew Rapple- yea has become more involved of late, with sophomore Luke Reynolds seeing his role diminish due to run-blocking issues and dropped passes. After years of high-level play from position coach Ty Howle's group, this unit has taken a notable step backward this fall. The tight ends have not been as impactful in the run game as they need to be, and they've totaled only 47 receptions on a team that, under different circumstances, would be leaning heavily on this position group to help make up for its deficiencies at wide receiver. Offensive Line Penn State settled on five primary offensive linemen against Indiana and stuck with them. Senior left tackle Drew Shelton, redshirt junior left guard Olai- vavega Ioane, super senior center Nick Dawkins, redshirt sophomore right guard Anthony Donkoh and redshirt senior right tackle Nolan Rucci took all 66 of- fensive snaps. The Lions had previously used redshirt sophomore TJ Shanahan as a starter and top reserve at guard, but he didn't suit up against the Hoosiers. Ioane is the only blocker playing at a high level. He is now being projected as a Day 1 or early Day 2 NFL Draft choice next spring. Donkoh has battled inju- ries and has shifted between guard and tackle. Rucci and Shelton have not made the expected progress, and Dawkins is too often beaten at the line of scrimmage. With all that said, this group, plus sophomore Cooper Cousins, is going to have to carry the offense the rest of the way. It doesn't appear as though any of the team's younger linemen are in posi- tion to challenge the starters. ■ Guard Olaivavega Ioane has been Penn State's top offensive lineman this season and may have positioned himself for a spot in the first round of next year's NFL Draft. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS