Penn State beats Boise State to advance to CFP semifinals; Ashton Jeanty is short of the speed record
In his first college football playoff appearance, Penn State now he’s one win away from going to the big dance.
The third-seeded Nittany Lions shut down No. 6 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, 31-14, on New Year’s Eve to advance to the semifinals.
The Nittany Lions caught fire, blocking a Boise State field goal and turning it into a touchdown. Then, after forcing a three-and-out, Drew Allar found Omari Evans for a long touchdown to make it 14-0. The Broncos would add a touchdown before halftime, and both offenses stalled for a while. Penn State added a field goal just before halftime, but on its first drive of the second half, Boise State found the end zone again with 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 with 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)
Penn State clicked again, though, after going on an 11-play drive to go 75 yards and Allar found tight end Tyler Warren for the second touchdown to restore the lead to 10 points. Maddux Madsen then threw a fumble and then, despite forcing a three-and-out, Boise State missed another field goal.
The Lions took advantage and seven plays later led 31-14 with 4:54 left after Nicholas Singleton scampered for a 58-yard touchdown. In an attempted miracle, Madsen threw another interception, nearly iceing the game.
Omari Evans #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after catching a touchdown pass 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 held Ashton Jeanty all night — sure, 108 yards is very good, but it was a season-low rushing total for the Heisman Trophy runner-up, as he fumbled twice and lost one of them. Therefore, his pursuit of Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record fell just 24 yards short. Entering Tuesday, Jeanty had rushed for at least 127 yards in every game this year.
However, Jeanty’s 2,605 yards in a season are now the second most in a single season, as he has surpassed Melvin Gordon and Kevin Smith, who now rank third and fourth.
Tyler Warren #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass 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)
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Allar finished with 171 passing yards and his 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 at Orange Bowl Jan. 9 for a chance to travel to the state championships. The two will play in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday at 8:45 p.m
In the past five playoff games, the higher seed has won by double digits each time.
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