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With Penn State's 10-2 regular season complete, it didn't take long for a couple of the Nittany Lions' top offensive weapons to address their 2024 future.
Both quarterback Drew Allar and tailback Nick Singleton assured they're returning.
The topic brought inquiry because Allar had not addressed the Nov. 12 firing of offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, who recruited and coached him, and Singleton's production fell off sharply after a 1,000-yard freshman season.
Plus the transfer portal, which grants immediate eligibility, opens Dec. 4 not to mention that NIL rules allow for players to be paid.
"I don't think there's any decision," Allar said following the Nittany Lions' 42-0 victory over Michigan State at Ford Field. "I've been committed here. Coach Franklin is a huge influence in my life, not only on the field, but personally. I've definitely grown a lot since I've stepped on campus. I have no thoughts (of transferring).
Allar said the Lions' offense did not "flinch" under co-coordinators Ja'Juan Seider and Ty Howle, who handled the playcalling in Yurcich's absence.
"Coach Seider and Coach Howle have done an unbelievable job with us, getting us all on the same page and communicating with us," Allar said. "I think we did a great job allow guys to play fast just with simplicity ... I think that's why we've been clicking more in the passing game."
Singleton finished Friday's game with 118 yards on 18 carries to boost his season total to 702 yards on 163 carries (4.3). Last year he gained 1,061 on 156 (6.1).
"I'm committed," Singleton, who added a 53-yard reception against the Spartans, said. "I'm committed to the whole team next year -- Coach Franklin, Coach Seider, the whole coaching staff ... I'm not leaving."
While the Lions hope they land in a New Year's Six Bowl, Franklin said he will be meeting with every player on the team in the coming days along with searching with a new OC.
Some of those interviews took place by Zoom over the weekend.
SUBHD: Bowl outlook
The majority of those tracking the national bowl picture have the Lions playing in either the Dec. 29 Cotton Bowl, the Dec. 30 Peach Bowl or the Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl.
Bleacher Report has the Lions meeting Alabama in the Cotton, but that's also based on the Pac-12 getting both Washington and Oregon in the four-team College Football Playoff.
Next weekend's conference championships will clear it up, and bowl games will be announced Sunday.
SUBHD: Notable ...
N The Lions' three shutouts (UMass, Iowa, MSU) mark the first time the Nits have blanked three opponents since 1978 (Ohio State, TCU, Kentucky) .
n Penn State has not allowed more than 24 points in 17 straight games, dating back to the Indiana game in 2022. Since joining the Big Ten in 1993, it is Penn State's second-longest streak of allowing 24 points or less, trailing the 18-game streak from Sept. 5, 2009-Oct. 2, 2010 when Tom Bradley was defensive coordinator.
n Theo Johnson's two touchdowns gave him 11 for his career, tied for third all-time among PSU tight ends with current teammate Tyler Warren, Jesse James and Brenton Strange. Johnson and Warren trail Mike Gesicki (15) and Pat Freiermuth (15) for the all-time TE record.