HIGHLIGHTS: Penn State wins Fiesta Bowl, punches ticket to College Football Playoff Semifinal

For the eighth time in program history, Penn State football has won the Fiesta Bowl. For the first time in program history, the Nittany Lions punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff Semifinal with a dramatic 31-14 win over the Boise State Broncos. Although not the Nittany Lions’ best performance of the year, and without defensive star Abdul Carter, the Blue and White ultimately found enough plays in critical moments to keep their season alive.

Runaway start stalled by sloppy second quarter

Seizing the momentum off a missed Bronco field goal, the Penn State offense came out like a well-oiled machine with a nine-play, 72-yard touchdown drive on its first possession. The Nittany Lion front leaned on the Boise State defensive line, with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton combining for 55 yards on the drive. But much as it has all year long, the series was sealed when Drew Allar dropped a perfect pass into the corner of the end zone for the waiting arms of Tyler Warren.

DREW ALLAR AND TYLER WARREN GET PENN STATE ON THE BOARD FIRST‼️ pic.twitter.com/R4cCIwK4yO

— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2025

Then Nittany Lion defense then pinned its ears back and attacked the Bronco backfield. Dani Dennis-Sutton led the charge, with a tackle for loss and sack on the next possession to put the Boise State offense on its heels. It didn’t take long for Drew Allar to flash his arm talent, uncorking a 38-yard bomb to Omari Evans four plays into the Nittany Lions’ next drive to put Penn State football up 14-0.

Drew Allar throws the Deep Post to Omari Evans vs Cover 4 Quarters Defense! I talked about this all week on the show! pic.twitter.com/5xlpNCcbpG

— LandonTengwall (@landon_tengwall) January 1, 2025

After forcing two pick-sixes against SMU, the Penn State defense showed up early again with a Kobe King forced fumble on Heisman Runner-Up Ashton Jeanty. But after connecting with Harrison Wallace III 20 yards down field, Allar gave the ball right back to the Broncos after fumbling an exchange with Nicholas Singleton on the second play of the series. But neither turnover turned into points, sending us into the second quarter with a 14-0 ball game.

The Broncos landed their first counterpunch in the second frame with an eight-play, 52-yard scoring drive, capped by a Tyler Crowe rushing touchdown. The Nittany Lions were able to keep Boise State from inflicting any further damage in the first half, but were only able to add a field goal to their lead, heading into the locker room up 17-7.

However, perhaps the most substantial development for James Franklin and Penn State football over the final eight minutes of the first half took place on the sideline. Star edge rusher Abdul Carter went to the injury tent midway through the second quarter. He later emerged, but ultimately did not return during the first half.

© Alex Disabella / Basic Blues Nation, 2024.

Defense, running game seals Penn State football’s path to the Orange Bowl

While it was Penn State football that started the first half hot, it was Boise State who flipped the script out of halftime. After forcing a Nittany Lion three-and-out to open the third quarter, Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen found a wide-open Matt Lauter for a 53-yard touchdown to make it a 17-14 game.

But after taking several knock-out blows, the Penn State offense got off the mat to deliver one of its own. The Nittany Lions responded with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to go back up by ten. Using a pair of conversions on third and long, Allar connected with Warren for his second touchdown grab of the evening to cap the series. His 98th catch of the year, Warren surpassed Allen Robinson’s 2013 record for the most single-season receptions in Penn State football history.

© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

But as it has almost all season long, the Nittany Lion defense showed up when it was needed most. With Boise State chewing up over 7:30 of game clock, Penn State came up with another critical turnover – a Zakee Wheatley interception with the Broncos facing 3rd and 25. However, Wheatley’s second interception of the season did not produce fruit, as the offense would quickly go three and out.

While it may not have been the most efficient effort, the Penn State defense again found a way to make a stand. After stringing together a 12-play, 55-yard drive, the Nittany Lions again forced the Boise State field goal unit on to the field goal team on to the field. And once again, the Broncos’ Jonah Dalmas was off the mark, keeping the margin at ten with nine minutes to play.

After flirting with it the entire second half, it was finally time for Penn State football to lean on the run. The Nittany Lions ground out a 79-yard touchdown drive, with Nicholas Singleton sealing the deal with a 58-yard dash to the end zone. A dominant rushing effort, both Singleton and Allen went over the 1,000-yard mark on the season.

PENN STATE BREAKS THE GAME OPEN 😳

Nicholas Singleton takes it 58 yards to the house 🏠 pic.twitter.com/bE4KuTM77T

— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2025

Backs against the wall, the Penn State defense was able to force one more mistake from the Broncos, as Zion Tracy picked off Madsen to seal the win for the Nittany Lions.

© Alex Disabella / Basic Blues Nation, 2024.

Final Stats

Penn State:

• Total yards – 388
• Rushing yards – 217
• Passing yards – 171
• Average yards per play – 6

Individual leaders:

• Passing – Drew Allar: 13-25, 171 yards, 3 touchdowns
• Rushing – Kaytron Allen: 17 attempts, 134 yards
• Receiving – Tyler Warren: 6 receptions, 63 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Tackles – Jaylen Reed: 8 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL

Boise State:

• Total yards – 412
• Rushing yards – 108
• Passing yards – 304
• Average yards per play – 5.5

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