Penn State football’s 21-7 win over likely soon-to-be formerly No. 19-ranked Illinois was typical Big Ten football, yet atypical of what the Nittany Lions’ offense has done so far this season.

The team has been accustomed to typically stellar play from quarterback Drew Allar and tight end Tyler Warren. Although they both had good games, neither produced the same awe-inspiring numbers nor plays as consistently against a tough Illinois defense as usual. Instead, in classic Big Ten fashion, the game was won on the ground.

Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen took over the game with a combined 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Allen led the way with 102 yards, while Singleton had 94. They didn’t just win a game, though.

“Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, you talk about the second set of teammates with 2000 career rushing yards since Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell. Pretty good group to be associated with,” James Franklin said after the game.

Franklin also said he wasn’t sure if a “better combination of running backs” exists in America. Based on their ability to put the team on their backs and carry it to a victory almost single-handedly against a good team Saturday, he could very well be right.

Out of 65 offensive snaps, Singleton and Allen had carries in 34 of them. They averaged 5.9 and 5.7 yards per carry, respectively. Additionally, they were responsible for 10 of Penn State’s 24 first downs. This is one reason why Andy Kotelnicki relied so heavily on the run game.

“You’re stupid to get away from it, right?” Franklin said when asked about their performances. “Andy was doing a great job calling the game.”

Meanwhile, Allar completed 15-of-21 passing attempts for 135 yards, but without any touchdowns or interceptions. However, that 71% completion rate is his best of the season so far. It was a very efficient performance, but not show-stopping like he’s done previously. Allar only ran for 15 yards, which is his fewest in a game this season.

Another possible reason for Kotelnicki’s reliance on the running backs was Illinois’ secondary, which is allowing just 188 passing yards per game. By turning to the run game more often than not, Penn State’s offense found a way to flourish even in the face of the best defense it’s seen so far. That made life easier for Allar despite facing a tough secondary.

“It’s just really nice because, again, you’re playing ahead of the sticks the whole game, so you’re not going to be in backed up situations and predictable third downs or second and extra long. So it’s not predictable pass situation. So the defensive line just can’t pin their ears back and rush me, which is a lot less stressful for me,” Allar said.

Illinois’ rushing defense is also impressive, with just 104.2 rushing yards allowed per game. An even better feat: it hadn’t allowed a single rushing touchdown until tonight’s game, despite previously playing two games against ranked opponents.

However, that defense was gradually worn down throughout the game. Both running backs play a physical brand of football, which was on full display for the Fighting Illini.

Singleton said his physicality was “for sure” what made him the most effective. He added that it’s something he’s been working on.

“Coach [Ja’Juan] Seider has been on me, you know, trying to release my strength more. I know obviously, I’ve been having good runs too, you know, trucking people and all that,” he said. “But I still have more strength to prove.”

Penn State kept pounding the ball again, and again, and again. This was especially the case in the second half, and it became clear to the Nittany Lions that the Fighting Illini defense was growing more and more tired.

The Nittany Lions correctly anticipated a close game, so gradually exhausting the opposition was especially important.

“We already knew Illinois could be a four-quarter game, the type of team it is, man, they really good team, but we already knew, like we got just getting them tired, pound the ball, and obviously we did that too,” Singleton said. “They obviously started getting tired too, and obviously [the] Fat Man touchdown really kind of closed the game.”

Allen’s fourth-quarter touchdown gave Penn State a 14-point lead and capped off an eight-play drive that began on Illinois’ 41-yard line. Six of those plays were runs. Allen loves scoring touchdowns as much as anyone, especially when it effectively wins games for Penn State. He celebrated by “kicking the door down” in the end zone.

Although the game will be remembered as a defensive battle, tonight’s win is a sign of how efficient this offense is because it just reinforced that it has various ways to win games. Allar can make plays when he’s asked to, but so can the tight ends, wide receivers, and running backs. It was the running backs’ turn to answer the bell tonight, and they did exactly that in a close, competitive game to get the win.