GLENDALE, Ariz. — The defensive unit of Penn State was relentless, effectively shutting down every potential route and securing each ground attempt with formidable force.
Ashton Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, faced stiff competition with Nittany Lions defenders swarming him at every turn. Despite managing to surpass 100 rushing yards, he had to exert considerable effort to achieve that mark.
Drew Allar showcased his talent by throwing three touchdown passes, leading No. 5 Penn State to a 31-14 victory over No. 8 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday night. This win propelled Penn State into the College Football Playoff semifinals.
“We were fully aware of our opponent’s capabilities. We understood the necessity to ensure we had multiple defenders on him every single play, as he has the ability to break free,” remarked Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley, who secured an interception and recovered a fumble during the game. “We executed that plan throughout the entire match.”
With their win against SMU initiating their CFP journey, the Nittany Lions (13-2, CFP No. 6 seed) appeared to be on course for a convincing victory, establishing an early 14-0 lead against Boise State.
However, the Broncos (12-2, CFP No. 3 seed), who have embraced their role as underdogs since their impressive 2007 Fiesta Bowl win, responded effectively. They rallied from the initial setback, narrowing the points gap to 17-14 early in the third quarter, with the momentum seemingly in their favor.
At that point, Penn State regained control of the game. Allar connected for his second touchdown of the evening with John Mackey Award recipient Tyler Warren, followed by a phenomenal 58-yard touchdown run from Nick Singleton, securing their spot in the Jan. 9 Orange Bowl against either No. 2 Georgia or No. 3 Notre Dame.
“We delivered a comprehensive performance,” stated Penn State coach James Franklin. “Our offense, defense, and special teams all worked in harmony, accomplishing remarkable feats together.”
The Nittany Lions dominated the line of scrimmage throughout most of the game, effectively containing Jeanty at every opportunity. The first-team All-America selection found himself limited to a season-low of 104 yards on 30 attempts, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, which is markedly below his season average. Jeanty finished the season 27 yards shy of the NCAA single-season record set by Barry Sanders in 1988.
“They have an excellent defensive line and front seven,” Jeanty remarked. “It wasn’t anything extraordinary on their part. They executed well and tackled efficiently, whereas we fell short of our potential.”
While Penn State’s defense exhibited dominance, their offense, particularly on the ground, was equally impressive. The Nittany Lions accumulated a total of 216 rushing yards, with Kaytron Allen contributing 134 yards and Singleton adding 87 yards. Allar, after experiencing criticism earlier in the season, remained steady, finishing with 171 passing yards on 13 completions out of 25 attempts.
His early performance was particularly sharp, as he linked up with Warren for an 11-yard touchdown catch, followed by a 38-yard touchdown strike to Omari Evans, establishing a two-touchdown advantage.
Boise State’s head coach Spencer Danielson commented on the challenges of trailing 14-0, “That’s a position that nobody wants to find themselves in.”
Consistent with their tenacious spirit, the Broncos fought back, creating opportunities and applying pressure on Allar that curtailed Penn State’s offensive advances. A significant turning point came when Allar fumbled shortly after Jeanty lost possession for the third time this season.
With Jeanty being heavily pursued, Boise State utilized fullback Tyler Crowe, who bulldozed a path for an 8-yard touchdown run, halving the deficit. The comeback seemed feasible when Matt Lauter achieved a 53-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, but Boise State quickly ran out of alternatives thereafter.
Maddux Madsen struggled as he threw three interceptions, and Jonah Dalmas missed his second field goal attempt, ultimately preventing the Broncos from advancing to the CFP semifinals.
“A lot of people counted us out, and we just fell a couple of plays short,” stated Danielson.
Looking ahead, Penn State is slated to face either No. 2 Georgia or No. 3 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9, while Boise State will kick off the 2025 season on August 30 against South Florida.
