Penn State’s running game and defense overpowered Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Next up, the Orange Bowl and the semifinal round!
In the first meeting between Penn State and Boise State, two teams who combined for a perfect 10-0 record all-time in Fiesta Bowl appearances, the Nittany Lions never trailed in a 31-14 win over the Broncos. Penn State is the first team to punch its spot in the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff with the win.
After the defense did well to contain Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty on the opening drive again and force Boise State to settle for a field goal attempt, which was tipped and failed, Penn State went to work flexing its muscle with its running game. Fueled by some strong runs and bursts by [autotag]Kaytron Allen[/autotag] and a couple of nice gains by [autotag]Nicholas Singleton[/autotag], Penn State maneuvered itself down the field on its first offensive possession. [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] completed a terrific pass to tight end [autotag]Tyler Warren[/autotag] in the back of the end zone as Warren managed to grab the football and get a foot down for the first score of the game.
Penn State took a 14-0 lead later in the first quarter when Allar took a deep shot to [autotag]Omari Evans[/autotag], who managed to beat his defender down the field for a 38-yard reception. After the defense forced a fumble by Jeanty in the second quarter, it appeared Penn State was set to go on cruise control and open up a three-score lead, but a botched exchange between Allar and Singleton put the ball on the ground for the Boise State defense. That turnover and an apparent arm injury to Abdul Carter helped spark the Broncos to a touchdown drive to cut into the lead. Penn State would take a 17-7 lead into halftime with a [autotag]Ryan Barker[/autotag] field goal to close the half.
But the offense started flat in the second half and the Broncos took advantage of a blown coverage for a 53-yard touchdown throw from Maddux Madsen to a wide-open tight end Matt Lauter to cut the Penn State lead to 17-14 early in the third quarter.
Penn State had an answer, and it came with another grueling touchdown drive highlighted by a pair of third-and-longs and a touchdown catch in the red zone from Allar to Warren. Penn State took a 24-14 lead into the fourth quarter and [autotag]Zakee Wheatley[/autotag] started the final quarter off with a big interception on a third-and-long. It was his second forced turnover of the game after recovering a Jeanty fumble in the first half.
Penn State was unable to capitalize and put the game firmly out of reach, which left Boise State with some life. Jeanty delivered his biggest run of the night to convert on a 3rd-and-21 deep in Boise State’s end, and the Broncos worked their way down the field and into the red zone. But the defense, stood tall with a key [autotag]Amin Vanover[/autotag] sack and Boise State’s field goal attempt sailed just wide right to keep Penn State up by 10 points with 9:20 remaining on the clock.
Penn State worked a few minutes off the clock, but Singleton put the game on ice with a 58-yard touchdown run right up the middle of the Boise State defense. The touchdown gave Penn State a commanding 31-14 lead with just under five minutes to play. [autotag]Zion Tracy[/autotag] picked off a pass from Madsen on Boise State’s ensuing possession to lock down the win.
Penn State rushed for 217 yards. Jeanty became just the second player to rush for 100 yards against Penn State this season, but the defense did prevent him from chasing down the NCAA’s single-season rushing record held by Barry Sanders. Jeanty needed 132 yards to break Sanders’ record but ended his night with 104 rushing yards.
Penn State will move on to the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff. The Nittany Liopns will head to Miami to play in the Orange Bowl and will fscr the winner of the Sugar Bowl matchup between SEC champion Georgia and Notre Dame. Georgia enjoyed the bye in the first round while Notre Dame handled Indiana in the first round in South Bend, Indiana. The Orange Bowl is scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.
