In its first ever college football playoffs, Penn State is now one win away from going to the big dance.
The third-seeded Nittany Lions shut out No. 3 6 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl 31-14 on New Year’s Eve to advance to the semifinals.
The Nittany Lions are off to a hot start. He blocked a Boise State field goal and turned it into a touchdown. Then, after forcing a three and out, Drew Allar found Omari. Evans scored a long touchdown to make it 14-0. The Broncos would add a touchdown before halftime. And with both offenses stalled for a while, Penn State added a field goal before the end of the first half. 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 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)
However, Penn State clicked again as they drove 11 plays and went 75 yards, with Allar finding Tyler Warren for a second touchdown in the final moments and taking a 10-point lead. Maddux Madsen then threw the pick. Despite forcing a three-and-out, Boise State missed another field goal.
The Lions took advantage and seven plays later, they led 31-14 with 4:54 remaining after Nicholas Singleton ran for a 58-yard touchdown. On a miraculous attempt, Madsen threw another interception. All of this except the ball game.
Omari Evans #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after scoring 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 held Ashton Jeanty up all night – sure, 108 yards was great, but that was the Heisman Trophy runner-up’s lowest performance all season while fumbling twice and losing one of them. So Barry Sanders’ pursuit of the single-season rushing record is down to just 24 yards. Entering Tuesday, Jeanty has rushed for at least 127 yards in every game this year.
However, Jeanty’s 2,605 yards this season are the second-most in a single season. As he overtakes Melvin Gordon and Kevin Smith, who are now third and fourth respectively.
Tyler Warren #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with teammates after scoring 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, State. Arizona (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Allar finished with 171 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. 1 2 Georgia and No. 2 7 Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl on January 1, 9 with a chance to earn a trip to the national championship. The two will play in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday at 8:45 p.m.
In five playoff games so far The higher-ranked team wins double-digit prizes each time.
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