Penn State eliminated Boise State to advance to CFP semifinals; Ashton Jeanty arrives at the entry point for the fastest record
In its first College Football Playoff game, Penn State is now one win away from going to the big dance.
The third-ranked Nittany Lions closed out the 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 start, 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 the two offenses stalled for a moment. Penn State added a field goal just before the end of the half, but on their first drive of the second half, Boise State regained the end zone 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)
Penn State clicked again, though, as they went on an 11-play drive and went 75 yards, where Allar found Tyler Warren for a tight second touchdown and regained the 10-point lead. Maddux Madsen then threw a pick and, despite forcing a 3-out, Boise State missed another field goal.
The Lions took advantage, and after seven plays, they led 31-14 with 4:54 left after Nicholas Singleton’s 58-yard touchdown run. In an attempt at a miracle, Madsen threw another shutout, without a ball game.
Omari Evans #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown in 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)
SOUTH CAROLINA’S SHANE BEAMER PARTED FROM SECOND CITRUS COACH FOLLOWING POST-INJURY LAUGHTER.
The Nittany Lions offense contained Ashton Jeanty all night – sure, 108 yards is great, but that was the Heisman Trophy runner’s lowest rushing total of the season while he fumbled twice and lost one of them. Thus, his rushing single-season rushing record by Barry Sanders fell just 24 yards short. Entering Tuesday, Jeanty had rushed for at least 127 yards in every game this year.
Jeanty’s 2,605 yards this season, however, are now 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 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 three touchdowns, while Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton combined for 221 yards on 29 carries.
Penn State will now face the winner of the No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 to get a chance at a trip to the national championship. The two will play in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday at 8:45 p.m
In the five playoff games so far, the top seed has won by double digits each time.
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