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Saturday night in Philadelphia, Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders will face off at the NFC Divisional Round. This is their epic next phase in his NFL career.

Barkley and Sanders, Pro Bowl running backs for the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, rushed for more than 2,500 yards in a season that marked a Renaissance (Berkeley) and breakthrough (Sanders).

It’s amazing to remember the last time the two sat together as teammates six years ago, and Barkley passed the torch to Sanders at Penn State.

“Let’s be honest,” Sanders said with a smile as Barkley began explaining why he’s such a great running back.

Barkley and Sanders, who are facing each other for the first time in the NFL playoffs, last played together in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl. Barkley began his Pennsylvania State career when he rushed for 137 yards and scored his two touchdowns in the Lions’ 35–28 victory over Washington.

After saying goodbye at the University of Phoenix Stadium (now State Farm Stadium), Barkley returned to the locker room to discuss past and future. He was a little shy and was about to announce he was entering the NFL Draft the next day, but made sure everyone knew Sanders was sitting next to him.

“[NFL] GM may not know him yet,” Barkley said.

Sanders rushed for 191 yards on 19 carries that season behind Barkley, but was certainly about to emerge. Became a player.

This season, his fourth in the NFL, was by far Sanders’ best season. He ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing, one behind Barkley with 1,269 yards. Among the Bucks with 250 or more carries, Sanders has 4.9 yards per carry, which puts him in second place (tied with Josh Jacobs).

Meanwhile, Barkley recorded a career-high 1,312 rushing yards in his first complete season since his 2018 rookie year. He scored 10 rushing touchdowns, one less than Sanders, and caught 57 passes.

Barkley and Sanders will be the centerpieces of Saturday night’s playoff game. This is what Barkley might have predicted six years before him.

“This guy is amazing. He’s a special talent,” Barkley said of Sanders after the Fiesta Bowl. You see it, you see the moment.”

“He’s strong, powerful, fast, hardworking and humble. He’ll be a great back in the future and I have no doubt he’ll have a career in the NFL one day.”

Former Penn State players backing Miles Sanders (left) and Squon Barkley in the locker room after the 2017 Fiesta Bowl. This game was the last against the Nittany Lions. Barkley, who rushed for his 137 yards against Washington, declared himself in the 2018 NFL Draft the next day.

Mark Wogenrich

Six years later, Penn State has another outstanding back tandem. Last season, Nicholas singleton and Kaytron he Allen combined he recorded 1,928 rushing yards. This is his third-highest total for a backfield duo since 1960.

That’s why Barkley’s farewell words to Sanders have echoes today.

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“You guys won’t be talking about Saqwon Barkley for a long time,” he said, before telling Sanders, “Keep me some records.”

For more on Barkley and Sanders after the 2017 Fiesta Bowl, watch the video above.

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