Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton (10) runs against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov.11, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

One of Penn State’s narratives of needed improvement from 2023 to this season involves a lack of explosive plays.

It contributed to the change in offensive coordinators and placed a focus on getting the ball into the hands of the Nittany Lions’ best players.

Actually, it started in the final two regular-season games of 2023 after offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was replaced by the combination of playcallers Ja’Juan Seider and Ty Howle.

Though, granted, the opponents were Rutgers and Michigan State, Seider wanted to make sure Nick Singleton could finish a disappointing season strong and carry momentum into 2024.

“So much is on the player, but a lot of it is on us as coaches, too — of getting these kids in space and taking advantage of their skill set,” Seider said at media day. “Sometimes, it’s as simple as getting them to the perimeter.”

When he literally burst on the scene as a true freshman in 2022, Singleton lived on the perimeter. He rushed for 1,062 yards and led the Big Ten in 30-plus yard runs with nine.

His per-carry average of 6.8 was second in the conference and seventh nationally.

Defenses adjusted last year, and the Lions’ coaching staff did not have answers. Singleton also appeared slower to the holes that were there, and his per-carry average decreased, somewhat alarmingly, to 4.4 per attempt en route to a season total of 752 yards.

He finally reached the 100-yard mark in the season finale at Michigan State.

But Singleton didn’t complain, maintained his role as a leader and is eager to regain his 2022 form.

“I’m excited,” he said. “When I got here, I was really quiet. Now I’m a vet now, in my third year. I have to be more vocal and step up.”

“Nick worked hard on flexibility,” Seider said. “He’s more balanced and able to bend (better) and staying on your feet can make a difference in a good play being a great play.”

Most of the chunk plays Singleton had last year came via the pass game, a trend likely to continue as new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki seeks to get the speedster into open space.

“We’re doing more things,” Kaytron Allen, who splits time with Singleton, said. “We’re in and out of the backfield, going left and right. People don’t see what we do without the ball – block, running routes. Whatever it takes for us to win, we’ll do it.”

Allen led the Lions in rushing last year at 902 yards and his yards per carry average has been right on 5.2 for two straight seasons.

James Franklin has purposely divided the carries to help save the beating running backs inevitably take, keeping their long-term futures in mind while also allowing both players to remain prominently featured.

“That’s been a good thing,” Allen said.

“Their best football is still ahead of them,” Seider said.

Both have accepted their roles, because they’ve embraced the company line, and they’re friends.

“We both learn from each other and make each other better,” Allen said. “You’ve seen it before. Whatever opportunities we get we have to take advantage of.”

Particularly early in the season, when the schedule could allow for depth development, freshman Quinton Martin, who led Belle Vernon to the PIAA Class 3A title in 2023, and redshirt freshman Cam Wallace have both turned heads and could see backup duty.

“We have young guys getting reps and showing their ability,” Singleton said.

“Explosive plays to me goes hand-in-hand with getting your best players the ball,” Franklin said. “Hopefully by game three, we feel like there’s other guys that you guys are all talking about our best players and that we are talking about in terms of people that we have to get more touches to.”