Kaytron Allen Sits Out Pinstripe Bowl, Capping Off Historic Penn State Career
Penn State took the field at Yankee Stadium for the Pinstripe Bowl without its offensive cornerstone. Star running back Kaytron Allen was ruled out just ahead of kickoff, a surprising turn after interim head coach Terry Smith said Friday that Allen would be available.
The late-breaking news came via ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who reported Saturday morning that Allen would not suit up. The Big Ten’s official injury report listed Allen as questionable, but by game time, it was clear-the Nittany Lions would have to face Clemson without their all-time leading rusher.
And with that, one of the most remarkable careers in Penn State history quietly came to a close.
Allen leaves Happy Valley with 4,180 rushing yards, becoming the first player in program history to eclipse the 4,000-yard mark. He broke Evan Royster’s long-standing record late in the regular season against Nebraska, doing so while sharing the backfield spotlight with fellow standout Nicholas Singleton. That’s what makes his achievement even more impressive-Allen wasn’t just the feature back; he was part of a true one-two punch, and still managed to carve his name into the record books.
His senior season was his finest yet. In a year filled with ups and downs for the Nittany Lions, Allen was a steady force.
He racked up 1,303 rushing yards and found the end zone 15 times, averaging a blistering 6.2 yards per carry. Week after week, he delivered-whether it was grinding out tough yards between the tackles or breaking loose for explosive gains, Allen was the engine that kept Penn State’s offense moving.
With both Allen and Singleton unavailable, the Pinstripe Bowl turned into a showcase for the next wave of Nittany Lion backs. Terry Smith mentioned Friday that Corey Smith, Quinton Martin, and Cam Wallace would all see expanded roles against Clemson.
There’s plenty of intrigue around that trio. Smith and Martin are both part of the Class of 2024, and Martin came in as one of Penn State’s highest-rated recruits.
Early on, Martin held the edge on the depth chart, but injuries opened the door for Smith to earn more reps-and he’s made the most of them. Wallace, now in his third year with the program, has battled back from a devastating injury and worked his way back into the rotation, adding a veteran presence to the young group.
It’s a changing of the guard in the Penn State backfield, but Allen’s legacy is secure. He didn’t just rack up stats-he set a new standard. And now, as the next generation takes the reins, they do so following in the footsteps of one of the greatest to ever wear blue and white.