Rudel

Just seven games ago, the last time the Nittany Lions saw Oregon, with a Big Ten title and a No. 1 ranking on the line, they showed up in Indianapolis with a matador defense.

It’s difficult to remember a team with the speed the Ducks showed that night in bolting to a 28-10 first-half lead before winning 45-37.

Maybe some of the Miami teams the Nits played in the 1980s and ’90s.

In assessing Oregon earlier this week, James Franklin said: “When you have multiple wide receivers that can hurt you in a game, go the distance, it changes how defensive coordinators approach the game.”

Franklin found that out last year so he changed defensive coordinators, bringing in Jim Knowles after Tom Allen took his mediocrity to Clemson, where he’s also being exposed.

So what’s the best way to keeping Oregon’s explosive offense off the field?

A running game that can control the pace and limit the Ducks’ number of possessions.

Penn State has it. Or should have it.

We wouldn’t know it since the Ducks might as well be the season opener. The Nittany Lions have torn through Nevada, Florida International and Villanova before beating their most difficult opponent so far, somebody named BYE, last weekend.

But we’ve been reminded of how good Penn State’s run game has been since last year — when, ironically enough, the Nits went away from the run when it mattered most and translated that into a come-from-ahead loss to Notre Dame with only a berth in the national title game on the line.

You’ve heard it: How Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen form the best backfield in the country and how this offensive line, seven deep and interchangeable, might be the best unit in the country (Gary Danielson just said it again Monday).

Well, Saturday night is a perfect time to find out.

So RTDB (Run the Damn Ball) — especially with Drew Allar still getting comfortable with his new receivers.

Both Singleton and Allen are 3,000-yard backs who have been here four years. Singleton has been the breakaway threat whose 37 career rushing touchdowns are high among FBS players and second behind Lydell Mitchell on Penn State’s all-time list (38) behind career leader Saquon Barkley (43).

However, the problem lately is that Singleton hasn’t broken away. His long this season is just 16 yards.

As the Lions go into this game attempting to establish and stick with a run game, they’re also in the process of figuring out their most reliable go-to option.

And right now, that’s Allen.

Backs are best measured by their yards-per-carry average.

Allen, who is almost never tackled by the first hit, has gained more than 1700 career yards after contact.

He’s averaging 8.0 yards per carry this year — almost double Singleton (4.4) and in seven fewer carries (34 to Singleton’s 41).

In a game in which every possession — every play, really — can make the difference, how each is used bears watching.

Franklin knows everyone is, and he is, too.

On his two-headed backfield — they’re also roommates, BTW — Franklin said this: “His (Allen) yards per carry are as impressive as anybody in the country and he’s earned that right to be a guy that we want to get the ball into his hands as much as we possibly can. We also recognize what Nick Singleton has done over his career.”

Either are quite capable, particularly if the offensive line, which should be aided by what will be an incredible White Out atmosphere, lives up to its billing.

RTDB.

Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.