Penn State football’s running back room has had a mixed bag of results so far this season.

The duo of juniors Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen started out hot. Singleton rushed for 114 yards in the season opener against West Virginia before both backs had 100-yard games against Bowling Green. Against Kent State, Singleton and Allen combined for 147 yards before redshirt freshman Cam Wallace, who suffered a long-term injury in the same contest, and true freshman Quinton Martin Jr. closed out the game.

After the running backs once again let loose on Illinois, Singleton was a surprise addition to the availability report a week later against UCLA. Listed as questionable, Singleton warmed up and was announced as the starter on the Beaver Stadium video board but never saw a snap.

Allen ran for 78 yards without his counterpart splitting reps but said it wasn’t the same without Singleton active.

Singleton returned against USC but the running backs were kept in check during the 33-30 overtime win. After combining for 135 yards against Wisconsin, the backs were held to 42 yards against Ohio State.

“I think our traditional running game, with the two running backs, we’ve got to get going,” Franklin said at his Monday press conference after Ohio State. “I think there are some things we’ve got to do in terms of scheme to make them defend the field and spread the box out as much as possible.”

During the Nittany Lions’ 35-6 rout of Washington on Saturday, Allen rushed 20 times for 98 yards while Singleton got the ball seven times for 45 yards on the ground. Singleton was also targeted five times through the air, making three grabs for 14 yards.

While each back has talent in their own right, both have expressed how the game feels easier with the other’s insight on the sideline.

“Those guys come ready to practice every single day, ready to work,” Franklin said on Monday. “Nick’s had some things lingering on and off throughout the year and has battled through them. Kaytron is a workhorse, and they complement each other really well.”

Singleton’s lingering issues seemingly struck again on Saturday when he wasn’t on the sideline for the conclusion of the White Out. Franklin said on Monday his injury was “short-term,” and that he would have a better idea after practice on Wednesday.

While Wallace was still listed as out ahead of Washington, Martin, who was out against Wisconsin and Ohio State, wasn’t on the report. Late in the game, freshman Corey Smith entered in relief of Allen.

“If you just look across college football and even the NFL, you better have depth at that position, especially if you’re committed to running the football like we are,” Franklin said. “There’s going to be bumps and bruises that come from that. We had two young backs in the room that we were excited about, but in the Lasch Building, there was also a lot of excitement about Corey [Smith].”

Smith carried the ball five times for 95 yards on Saturday, including a 78-yard dash on his second collegiate carry.

Regardless of who’s available down the stretch, Franklin was confident in all of his back’s abilities. The group, along with the rest of the team, bounced back against Washington and is prepared for the final stretch of the regular season.

“We’re going to be committed to the run and being balanced and continuing to try to be as explosive as we possibly can but continue to feed those guys the ball,” Franklin said. “Our offensive line had a little bit of a chip on their shoulder. Tight ends as well, coaching staff as well. We’re going to need that moving forward.”