Penn State still hasn’t found a true bell cow in its backfield, but James Peoples made a strong case Saturday against Wisconsin.
The running back handled 14 carries for 67 yards, the most work of any Penn State back in the game. It was enough for Peoples to feel like he took a step forward in the competition.
“I feel like I did a great job. I feel like I earned trust on Saturday and just continue to stack days and to put our team in the best position possible,” Peoples said Wednesday.
For Peoples, the path to becoming the No. 1 back is built on consistency and making the most of each touch. He said the job is about doing enough with the chances he gets to keep himself on the field.
He also understands the rotation around him. Peoples was actually the last of Penn State’s four main running backs to get into the game, even though all four saw action before the first quarter ended. That has made patience and selflessness part of the equation.
“First off, being selfless in the act, cheering on my brothers, but also understanding like when I get out there, I'm gonna do everything in my power also to stay out there and to do my job,” Peoples said.
That mindset fits with the culture in the room, which Peoples credited to running backs coach Savon Huggins. He described the group as a “brotherhood,” where everyone is pulling for each other as much as for himself.
“At the end of the day, we gonna do what's always best for the team,” Peoples said. “So if that's Carson (Hansen), if that's (Quinton Martin Jr.), Cam (Wallace), me, whatever the case is, I trust in the decision of the coaches.”
Peoples is also looking at Friday’s matchup with Northwestern as a chance for Penn State’s run game to pop. Outside of the Buffalo game, when the Nittany Lions ran for more than 300 yards, the ground attack has not found much rhythm.
Northwestern’s run defense gives Penn State a clear opening. The Wildcats allowed 206 rushing yards to Indiana’s lead back Lee Bebee Jr., including a 70-yard run, and they rank 128th in college football against the run at 199.33 yards allowed per game.
“I feel like the explosives are definitely there. You look at the game against Indiana, they have plenty of explosives,” Peoples said.
“These guys can be ran on. But at the end of the day, it's not about the opponent, it's about us.
We gonna scheme it up right, but at the end of the day it's, are you gonna execute when it's in front of you? So that's where we at.”
Penn State may have a chance to get the ground game rolling Friday, especially if the offense can turn a few clean openings into bigger gains. Peoples said the linebackers are athletic but tend to “play downhill,” which could leave room to get into the secondary if the blocking holds up.
And that’s where the details matter most. Campbell has pointed out that some runs have been just a little off, and Peoples said the backs have to stay locked in with the blocking group, including the offensive line and tight ends.
“We just gotta be on the same page and understand, like I gotta have trust in you to do your job, you have to have trust in me to do my job,” Peoples said. “So building that trust between us is key.”
In Other News...
Penn State Fans Just Got A New Beaver Stadium Comparison
Northwesterns new Ryan Field made its debut during Penn States visit, giving Nittany Lions fans a fresh point of comparison for what a modern college football venue can look like. The 35,000-seat on-campus stadium, built at a cost of $870 million, puts a premium on closeness to the action, with premium seating, a standing-only student section and a layout that brings the crowd right up to the playing surface.
Penn State broadcaster Steve Jones also took note of the new setup, including the location of the visiting radio booth, while the game added another layer to the conversation with the strong Peacock/NBC production. For Penn State observers, the contrast with Beaver Stadium was hard to miss, especially on a night when the sideline environment again underscored how crowded things can feel in Happy Valley. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States Northwestern Prep Just Took A Surprising Turn
Penn States trip to Northwestern now comes with a little more clarity on the injury front for both sides. The Wildcats will be without tight end Luke Dehnicke and defensive back Braden Turner, while defensive back Damon Walters and receiver Hayden Eligon are listed as game-time decisions. There is confidence that Eligon will suit up, which gives Northwestern at least a chance to keep one more piece available as it tries to sort through a thin week of preparation.
For the Nittany Lions, the injury picture is familiar in a less welcome way. Defensive end Max Granville is out for the season, and receiver Koby Howard is sidelined for an extended stretch, leaving Penn State to keep adjusting its depth as the schedule rolls on. Even with Northwestern dealing with its own absences, this is the sort of matchup where availability can shape both game planning and in-game flexibility before either side ever settles into a rhythm. [Read more 🡒]
Former Penn State QB Is Watching One Big Test For This New Era
Drew Allar is keeping a close eye on Penn States next chapter, and he sounds encouraged by the direction the program is headed under new head coach Matt Campbell. The former quarterback said he respects Campbell even though he never played for him, a small but telling sign that the transition has already earned some buy-in from one of the most recognizable players of the previous era.
Allar also pointed to Virginia Techs strong start under James Franklin as another reminder of how quickly new coaching situations can take shape. From his vantage point, both programs have a chance to keep growing beyond his time in college football, and the real test now is whether Penn State can turn that optimism into sustained success in Campbells new era. [Read more 🡒]