It’s been a turbulent season for Penn State thus far, with the Nittany Lions battling for bowl eligibility to close out what was once viewed as a national-championship-or-bust season.
Though most of the team’s major goals are now unattainable, several program records are within reach with four regular season games remaining, plus a possible bowl appearance.
Here are the records at risk.
Career rushing yards
While running back Nick Singleton’s production has dropped off this season, Kaytron Allen is still on pace to break the program’s career rushing yard record.
The current leader is Evan Royster, who gathered 3,932 from 2007-2010. Through eight games in his final season, Allen has 3,565. To eclipse Royster’s mark, he’d need to average 92 rushing yards per game in the last four contests.
This season, the senior is averaging 86 yards per game, just below that pace, though his usage has increased dramatically since the beginning of the year. In his last two games, Allen has 49 carries for 221 yards, coming against two of the nation’s top defenses in Iowa and Ohio State.
Career rushing attempts
On a similar note, Allen may finish with the most carries by any Penn State running back, a testament to his reliability and workhorse mentality.
Currently, Allen has 678 rushing attempts, putting him just behind Royster at 686. In all likelihood, he’ll overtake the top spot on Saturday against No. 2 Indiana, as he’s gotten at least eight carries in every game this season.
Career receptions by a running back
While Singleton’s production on the ground has waned, he’s continued to make an impact through the passing game.
With 16 catches this year, Singleton is at 94 across his four-year career and is within reach of Saquon Barkley’s record of 102, which he set from 2015-17.
Career completion percentage
This record has technically already been broken; With quarterback Drew Allar sustaining a season-ending injury against Northwestern to close the book on his Penn State career, he’ll finish with the highest career completion percentage in Nittany Lion history.
Allar’s mark is 63.2%, which beats out his predecessor Sean Clifford’s record of 61.4%. While his career in Happy Valley ended early, Allar will be remembered as one of the most accurate passers to ever pass through the program.
Career interception percentage
Allar also holds the top spot for lowest career interception percentage, with just 1.3% of his attempts being picked off. The record was held by Wally Richardson, whose mark was 2.09% over the course of his Penn State career from 1992-96.
Field-goal percentage
Kicker Ryan Barker has been an unsung hero for the Nittany Lions during an otherwise disappointing season, converting 11 of 12 field goals this season with a long of 49, in addition to going a perfect 28 of 28 on extra points.
In addition to his 15-for-18 mark after taking over as the starter last year, Barker is sending the ball through the uprights at an 86.7% mark.
The program record for career field-goal percentage is well below that at 77.6%, set by Nick Gancitano from 1982-84.
The caveat is the record is based on a minimum of 40 attempts, and Barker has just 30 so far. He’d need to increase his pace this season or return for another year — which is likely, but not guaranteed as he’s eligible to enter the NFL draft this offseason or may pursue other options in the transfer portal.
