In its first college football playoff, Penn State is now one win away from going to the big dance.
The third-seeded Nittany Lions defeated No. 6 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, 31-14, on New Year’s Eve to advance to the semifinals.
The Nittany Lions got off to a red-hot start, blocking a Boise State field goal and converting it into a touchdown. Then, after forcing a three-pointer, Drew Allar found Omari Evans on a long touchdown to make the score 14-0. The Broncos would add a touchdown before the half and both offenses stalled for a while. Penn State added a field goal just before the half ended, but on its first drive of the second half, Boise State found the end zone again on a 53-yard catch and run by Matt Lauter.
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Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates his touchdown run with his teammates during the fourth quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona . (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
However, Penn State clicked again as they went on an 11-play drive and went 75 yards, with Allar finding Tyler Warren for the tight end’s second touchdown and regaining a 10-point lead. Maddux Madsen then threw a pick and then, despite forcing a three-pointer, Boise State missed another field goal.
The Lions took the lead, and seven plays later, they led 31-14 with 4:54 left after Nicholas Singleton ran for a 58-yard touchdown. In the effort to pull off a miracle, Madsen threw another interception, nearly freezing the game.
Omari Evans #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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The Nittany Lions offense contained Ashton Jeanty all night; Sure, 108 yards is great, but that was the Heisman Trophy runner-up’s lowest rushing total of the season, while turning the ball over twice and losing one of them. Therefore, his pursuit of Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record fell short by just 24 yards. Entering Tuesday, Jeanty had rushed for at least 127 yards in every game this year.
However, Jeanty’s 2,605 yards on the season are now the second-most in a single season, passing Melvin Gordon and Kevin Smith, who now rank third and fourth, respectively.
Tyler Warren #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with his teammates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Allar finished with 171 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton combined for 221 yards on 29 carries.
Penn State will now face the winner of No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 for a chance to travel to the national championship. Those two will play in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday at 8:45 p.m.
In five playoff games so far, the top seed has won by double digits each time.
