Penn State’s Nick Singleton on chasing Evan Royster’s record: ‘It would mean a lot for me to break that’

Nick Singleton knows he is close.

Kaytron Allen knows he is close, too.

Penn State’s top two running backs have a target in mind when the Nittany Lions open their season against Nevada on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium.

Singleton and Allen, returning 1,000-yard rushers entering their fourth seasons, both have a chance to catch Evan Royster, Penn State’s all-time leading rusher.

Royster, who played at PSU from 2007 through 2010, finished his career with 3,932 rushing yards, 89 more than Penn State great Saquon Barkley.

Singleton and Allen are currently in 10th and 11th place, respectively, on PSU’s all-time rushing list.

Singleton has 2,912 yards; Allen is at 2,877.

Singleton is 1,021 yards away from passing Royster; Allen is 1,056 yards away.

Assuming good health and a lengthy Penn State postseason run, both backs can pass Royster.

“It would mean a lot for me to break that (record),” Singleton said earlier this week when asked about Royster’s record.

“Just being the leading rusher at Penn State. That’s something to talk about. Everybody talks about it forever.”

Singleton knows he has competition in the chase to pass Royster, too.

“Kaytron, he’s working at that goal, too,” Singleton said.

“We’re happy for each other, we always look out for each other. You know, (if) one of us get our goal, it’s going to be really good.”

Penn State coach James Franklin talked about Singleton and Allen pursuing Royster’s mark at Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas in late July.

“They have a chance at the end of this year to be the No. 1 and the No. 2 all-time leading rushers in Penn State history,” Franklin said of Singleton and Allen.

“To me, that is a crazy stat of two backs that share carries. And they’re playing behind one of the best offensive lines in college football.”