Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) jumps over the tackle attempt by Illinois linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) during the third quarter Saturday in State College. Associated Press

STATE COLLEGE — Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are both men of few words, but when the two Nittany Lion running backs do speak up, they’re direct, forceful and to the point.

Kind of like their similar running styles that have left opposing defenses sore, winded and without a way to stop them.

“We always feed off each other,” Singleton said. “It’s the type of game we play.”

The hard-charging duo combined for 196 rushing yards and became just the second set of Nittany Lion teammates to eclipse 2,000 career rushing yards in Penn State’s 21-7 win over then-No. 19 Illinois on Saturday. They joined Franco Harris and Lydell Mitchell, two hall-of-fame inductees, who both went over 2,000 as Nittany Lions in 1971.

“There were physical runs out there today, so I just I couldn’t be more proud of that group and how they’re playing,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “That’s going to be important for us the rest of the year.”

No. 7 Penn State (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) will play its fourth straight home game against UCLA (1-3, 0-2) Saturday before the schedule toughens up.

After their homestand ends, the Nittany Lions will travel to No. 13 USC and Wisconsin, teams that have struggled against the run, before Singleton and Allen get a crack at No. 3 Ohio State’s defense on Nov. 2. The Buckeyes are allowing just 62 rushing yards per game.

In the meantime, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki will keep feeding his two workhorse backs.

He's alternated Singleton and Allen as games wear on with success. It was Singleton’s turn first against the Illini and he didn’t disappoint, ripping off runs of 14 and 16 yards to help set up Tyler Warren’s short rushing touchdown.

Quick starts have been routine for Singleton, and these first four games have been a return to form.

While he had a solid sophomore season a year ago, Singleton admitted he wasn’t nearly as explosive as he could’ve been. As a freshman, he had 24 runs of 10 or more yards and 12 runs of 20-plus. Those numbers dropped to 16 and 4, respectively, last year.

He’s already got 12 runs of 10 or more yards and four 20-yard bursts this season.

Allen’s explosive-play ability fluctuated, too, but he was able to rip off 18 runs of 10-plus last season as he and Singleton split the workload evenly. He’s already halfway to that total this year.

Even though they’ve made those long, highlight-reel runs, both players would point at grittier plays as their favorites from Saturday.

Allen extend a second-quarter drive with an edge run that saw him blast Illinois defensive back Miles Scott. As Scott flew backward, Allen lowered his shoulder to absorb a blow from another player to get the first down.

“I’m not gonna fall backwards,” Allen said. “I’m gonna fall forward always. That’s just who I am.”

Singleton converted a crucial third down to keep Penn State’s go-ahead, third-quarter drive going.

Facing third-and-7 from Penn State’s 47, Singleton popped Gabe Jacas with a chip block that sent the 6-foot-3, 275-pound linebacker flying before hauling in a checkdown pass from Drew Allar. Singleton had to leap to make the catch about 6 yards shy of the first down. But he turned up field, lowered his shoulder and ran through a defender to move the chains.

“They ran hard,” Allar said. “There was a lot of guys that they were running over today. It was great to see them get in the end zone and really seal the deal for us.”