As the confetti was falling in Glendale, Arizona following Penn State’s 31-14 victory over Boise State, Penn State head coach James Franklin was handed the Fiesta Bowl trophy, for the second time in his career. Penn State put together a gritty performance and needed some players to step up and make some big plays in big moments. And the two who delivered the most were honored as the Fiesta Bowl MVPs during the postgame celebration.
[autotag]Tyler Warren[/autotag] was named the Fiesta Bowl offensive mopst valuable player. Warren made two incredible touchdown catches in the back of the end zone. Warren, this year’s Mackey Award winner, gave Penn State a 7-0 lead int eh first quarter with the first of his two touchdown grabs. His second touchdown helped put the game out of reach for Boise State. Warren ended the game with six catches for 63 yards and the two touchdowns.
[autotag]Zakee Wheatley[/autotag] was named the most valuable defensive player in the Fiesta Bowl. Wheatley came up with a fumble recovery off of Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the first half, making a terrific play to grab the loose ball in the air before stepping out of bounds. The fumble was forced by linebacker Kobe King. Wheatley picked off a pass by Maddux Madsen in the second half to help Penn State pull away and put the game out of reach against the Broncos. Wheatley also had three tackles in the game.
Warren and Wheatley and the rest of the Nittany Lions will now move on to prepare for the Orange Bowl, the site of one of the semifinal games in the College Football Playoff. Penn State will face the winner of the Super Bowl quarterfinal matchup between SEC champion Georgia and Notre Dame in Miami on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
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