UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State senior safety Ji'Ayir Brown and freshman running back Nicholas Singleton picked up Big Ten weekly honors, announced by the conference on Monday. Brown was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Singleton repeated as Freshman of the Week. Both helped the No. 14/15 Nittany Lions to a 41-12 win at Auburn on Saturday.
Brown earned his second career Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award. He also garnered the honor following the Maryland game in 2021.
Singleton is the first Penn State freshman to earn back-to-back Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards since Saquon Barkley in 2015 (9/14 and 9/21).
Ji'Ayir Brown · Sr+ · S · 5-11 · 202 · Trenton, N.J. · Trenton Central/Lackawanna College
- Helped the Nittany Lions to force four takeaways, including two fumbles and two interceptions.
- Penn State had four takeaways in a game for the first time since 2019 vs. Michigan State.
- Brown also helped Penn State to record 11 tackles for loss and six sacks.
- Tallied five tackles (four solo), a sack, a forced fumble and an interception against the Tigers
- Brown recorded a strip-sack in the third quarter. It was his first career sack and second career forced fumble.
- The senior captain added his seventh career interception in the third quarter. He returned the interception 27 yards.
- Brown has had a hand in 10 takeaways in his Nittany Lion career.
- Has appeared in 25 career games at Penn State, making 16 starts.
- Is a member of the Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award and Reese's Senior Bowl watch lists.
- Tied for the nation's lead with six interceptions in 2021.
- His six interceptions were tied for the 10th-most in a season at PSU.
- Became the first Nittany Lion to record six interceptions and two fumble recoveries in a season since Alan Zemaitis in 2005.
Nicholas Singleton · Fr. · RB · 6-0 · 219 · Shillington, Pa. · Governor Mifflin
- Singleton eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the second-straight week.
- Singleton helped Penn State to finish with 245 yards rushing, the Nittany Lions' most in a non-conference game since 258 vs. Miami in 2001.
- Penn State had five rushing touchdowns in a game for the first time since the 2019 Cotton Bowl vs. Memphis.
- The Nittany Lions had two freshmen running backs (Kaytron Allen and Singleton) each score two touchdowns. Since at least 2000, they are the only Penn State freshmen to both score two rushing touchdowns in a game.
- Singleton finished with 10 rushes for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
- Singleton scored on a 54-yard run in the fourth quarter.
- Singleton also scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter.
- Singleton had a 53-yard run in the third quarter, setting up his 1-yard score.
- With the two runs of 54 and 53 yards, Singleton now has five runs of 40+ yards this season and three over 50 yards. He leads the country in 40+ yard runs this season.
- Singleton entered the game leading the country in 40+ yard rushes.
- Three of his five 40+ yard runs have gone for touchdowns.
- Through three games this season, Singleton has 334 rushing yards. Since 2000, only Larry Johnson (362, 2002) has more rushing yards through the first three games of a season.
- Since 2000, Singleton has the most rushing yards by a Penn State freshman through the first three games of a season.
- Since 2000, Singleton's 334 yards are the most rushing yards by a PSU freshman through first three games of a season, passing Saquon Barkley's mark of 311 in 2015.
- Singleton is the first true freshman running back with back-to-back 100 yd games since Noah Cain in 2019 (Purdue and Iowa).
- Singleton paces the country in yards per carry (11.1), leading by 1.84 yards per carry.
- Is one of nine FBS players (three Power Five) since 2000 to average at least 11.1 yards per carry (min. 30 rush attempts).
- Leads all FBS freshmen and ranks 16th in the FBS with 334 rushing yards. Also leads all FBS freshmen and sits 12th in the nation in rushing yards per game (111.3).
- Paces all FBS freshmen and ranks 13th in the nation with 156.0 all-purpose yards per game.
No. 14/15 Penn State hosts Central Michigan on Saturday, September 24. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network with a noon kickoff.
The 2022 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.