It was a one-man band for the Penn State offense against Iowa.

With an interim head coach and a redshirt freshman making his first career start at quarterback, Kaytron Allen had the busiest day of his career at Penn State.

The senior running back had a career high 28 attempts for 145 yards and two touchdowns. For Penn State, Allen’s 5.2 average was a blessing and one of the only reasons the Nittany Lions remained close with the Hawkeyes Saturday night.

“I’m just playing for my teammates, playing for my team, my coaches. Just send a message,” Allen said postgame. “I’m just trying to get a dub for my team.”

This season, Allen sits at just below 100 carries for 612 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. His rushing yard totals are near the top 10 in the nation, whereas his rushing touchdowns are near the top 5.

Allen described this contest as his type of game. One where his team is put up against a wall, where pressure is at an all-time high. According to Allen, he likes the struggle and “coming out through the storm, just trying to do whatever it takes for my team.”

This performance was just another showing of Allen’s continued dominance over the Penn State backfield. Tonight, Nick Singleton only had six rushes for 15 yards, good enough for a 2.5 yards per carry.

It seems every week it becomes more and more evident that Singleton’s struggles. For a player who was once considered a top talent at the position at the Division I level, he has seemingly lost his ability to break the long runs that earned him the nickname ‘Nick the quick.’

“That’s my dog, man. We just try to push each other each and every day,” Allen said. “Came in and staying together. We still got to finish, but came in this thing together. We’re always lifting each other, helping each other.”

Unfortunately for Allen, Singleton, and the rest of the Nittany Lions, who came back for another season rather than declaring for the NFL Draft, the playoff dreams are gone. Just eight weeks after being a national championship favorite, Penn State’s season has come to an utter collapse with four-straight losses, all of which are in the Big Ten.

Despite four consecutive losses, Allen is determined not to give up on his team or the season. According to the back, it’s not in him to quit something midway through.

“I love football. I’m all about playing football for my team. Never quit on anybody. That’s just who I am. Whatever I start, I got to finish,” Allen said postgame. “Just keep playing ball for my team. Come out on the other side getting Ws.”

Even on one of his biggest nights, Allen remains humble and team-oriented, rather than worrying about his own stats. The Nittany Lion was adamant that there is only one thing that truly matters to him and the team.

“I played alright. We didn’t get the dub, so that’s all that matters.”