Former Gov. Mifflin star running back Nick Singleton has a “short-term” injury, Penn State football coach James Franklin said Monday. Singleton missed the final 1.5 quarters of the Nittany Lions’ 35-6 victory over Washington Saturday night at Beaver Stadium. “(It’s) short term,” Franklin said. “You guys will have a better idea come practice (Wednesday).” A source close to the team said that Singleton practiced Sunday, usually a light day for the Lions. Penn State doesn’t practice on Mondays. The fourth-ranked Lions (5-1 Big Ten, 8-1) meet Purdue (0-6, 1-8) Saturday at 3:30 (TV-CBS) at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Singleton carried seven times for 45 yards and caught three passes for 14 yards against the Huskies. He also returned the second-half kickoff 97 yards for an apparent touchdown, but it was wiped out by a holding penalty. “It was a shame that that got called back,” Franklin said. “I thought it was a legitimate call. We clearly held a guy with hands outside (the shoulders).” Singleton ran for 9 yards on Penn State’s second series of the second half and didn’t play again. Kaytron Allen, his backfield mate and roommate, saw more action in his absence and finished with 98 yards on 20 carries. Freshman Corey Smith made his college debut and picked up 95 yards on five attempts, including a 78-yard burst in the fourth quarter. “You guys know that Nick has had some things lingering on and off throughout the year and has battled through them,” Franklin said. “Kaytron is a workhorse. They complement each other really well.” Singleton missed Penn State’s 27-11 win over UCLA with a lower-body injury. He’s carried 88 times for 543 yards (6.2 average) and three touchdowns and has made 22 catches for 218 yards (9.9 average) and four TDs. With his 219 kickoff return yards, he’s averaging 122.5 all-purpose yards per game, tied for fourth in the Big Ten and tied for 23rd nationally with Kyle Monangai of Rutgers. Allen has run 133 times for 634 yards and (4.8 average) and five touchdowns. The Lions rushed for 266 yards against Washington and averaged 6.65 yards per carry one week after Ohio State limited them to 120 yards and a 3.8 average. Penn State increased its season rushing average to 196.2 yards per game, second in the Big Ten and 30th nationally. “I think our offensive line had a little bit of a chip on their shoulder,” Franklin said. “Tight ends as well. Coaching staff as well. We’re going to need that going forward.” Smith and fellow freshman Quinton Martin Jr., who has played in three games, have given Singleton and Allen time off during practices. “When you have two young backs like Quinton and Corey, it allows you to cut a few reps from Nick and Kaytron in practice because I think they can handle it,” Franklin said. “Maybe two reps a period than they would normally take. It adds up over time. “It allows the young guys to gain experience and hopefully put us in a position to be as fresh as possible on Saturdays.” Franklin said he’s content with the depth among the running backs. Martin is from Belle Vernon, Pa., and was a higher-rated prospect than Smith, who’s from Milwaukee. Redshirt freshman Cam Wallace suffered a season-ending injury earlier this season. “Early on there was a lot of talk about Quinton and deservedly so,” Franklin said. “I also think in the Lasch Building there was a lot of excitement about Corey, who’s a different style of back than the other three. It was great to see him get in there.”