Penn State vs. Boise State highlights: Nittany Lions win Fiesta Bowl reach CFP semifinals
Penn State entered the quarterfinal round the most successful team in Fiesta Bowl history, and it continued on New Year’s Eve.
The Nittany Lions used a fast start and fended off a Boise State comeback attempt to win 31-14 and advance to the College Football Playoff semifinal.
The Penn State offense was clicking out of the gate with two touchdown scores to start with a 14-0 lead. Boise State would add some scores that would make it as close as a three-point game in the third quarter, but the Broncos never had a chance to take the lead in the final 15 minutes to pull off another Fiesta Bowl stunner.
The matchup of the game was Ashton Jeanty vs. the stout Penn State defense, and while the Heisman Trophy runner-up ran for 104 yards, he was contained for the majority of the game that limited Boise State’s offensive capabilities. He had entered the night with at least 125 rushing yards in every game this season.
The win now moves Penn State to 8-0 in the Fiesta Bowl, the most wins in the bowl game’s 54-year history. With defeats of Southern Methodist and Boise State, the Nittany Lions will continue their first playoff run into the semifinals. They’ll be heading to the Orange Bowl, where they will face the winner of Georgia and Notre Dame for a spot in the national championship game.
BOWL GAME SCHEDULE: The entire postseason lineup through College Football Playoff
Fiesta Bowl highlights: Penn State defeats Boise State in College Football Playoff game
Penn State gets interception to likely end game
It doesn’t appear a Boise State comeback will be happening after another interception.
Maddux Madsen had his fourth down pass intercepted by Penn State’s Zion Tracy with less than four minutes to go. The third Boise State turnover of the night sets Penn State up at the Bronco 47-yard line.
Penn State 31, Boise State 14: Big touchdown run increase lead
Penn State is close to moving toward the College Football Playoff semifinal. The Nittany Lions lead by three-scores with less than five minutes to go.
The Nittany Lions capitalized on a missed Boise State field goal with Nicholas Singleton breaking through the line for a 58-yard touchdown run. The drive took nearly five minutes, and time is about to run out for the Broncos.
Boise State misses field goal
It remains a two-score game with more than nine minutes left after Boise State missed another field goal attempt.
Needing points, the Broncos got all the way down to the Penn State 21-yard line before facing a long fourth down. They sent the kicking unit out, but Jonah Dalmas was unable to hook the 38-yard attempt, just missing it to the right. It was his second miss of the game, and it remains a 24-14 Penn State lead.
Abdul Carter injury update
If Penn State advances past Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, the Nittany Lions might have to do so without their best defensive player.
In the second quarter of the Fiesta Bowl, star Penn State defensive end Adbul Carter went down with an apparent upper-body injury following an incompletion on third down. Carter would exit the game at that moment.
He returned briefly in the first half, but then left the game again. — John Leuzzi
Penn State gets interception
What could’ve been a Boise State touchdown turned into a Penn State interception.
After a Bronco touchdown was called back due to a flag, Maddux Madsen tried to find Cameron Camper but it was instead intercepted by Zakee Wheatley, giving the Nittany Lions the ball back with a chance to put this game out of reach.
End of third quarter: Penn State 24, Boise State 14
Both teams added a touchdown in the third quarter and it's a 10-point game heading into the final quarter.
However, it could be a three-point game after Boise State had a touchdown taken off the board. Maddux Madsen found Prince Strachan for a 20-yard touchdown pass, but a hands to the face flag was called on offensive lineman Hall Schmidt. It backed up the Broncos 15 yards and they face a long way to get a first down to start the fourth quarter.
Penn State 24, Boise State 14: Tyler Warren make incredible touchdown catch
Just throw it to Penn State’s Tyler Warren and he’ll make a play.
Penn State responded with a touchdown by the star tight end to get the lead back to 10-points, and he did it in spectacular fashion. On a third-and-11 from the Boise State 13-yard line, the Broncos brought a blitz to pressure Drew Allar.
Allar then tossed it back in the end zone and Warren hauled it in over Boise State’s Ty Benefield for the score. It was Warren’s second touchdown catch of the night, and he has six catches for 63 yards.
The catch was also Warren’s 98th of the season, which set the Penn State single-season reception record.
Penn State 17, Boise State 14: Big touchdown pass for Broncos
What a start to the second half for Boise State, who have closed the deficit to three points.
After the defense forced a three-and-out to start the third quarter, Boise State ran a beautiful play action and quarterback Maddux Madsen found a wide-open Matt Mauter, who basically jogged his way to the end zone for a 53-yard touchdown pass.
Madsen threw for 87 yards on the touchdown drive.
Penn State goes three-and-out to start second half
It wasn’t the ideal start to the third quarter for Penn State with a quick punt.
Drew Allar has gone a bit cold with six straight incomplete passes after starting 10-for-13.
Halftime: Penn State 17, Boise State 7
After Penn State dominated the first quarter, Boise State’s defense tightened up while the offense got on the scoreboard and the Nittany Lions lead by 10-points at the midway point.
Boise State fullback Tyler Crowe was the one who provided the Broncos their first score of the game, and after four consecutive punts, the Nittany Lions added a field goal as the clock expired on the second quarter.
Drew Allar has played a solid game at quarterback for Penn State with a 10-for-17 mark with 14 yards and two touchdowns. His go-to man, tight end Tyler Warren, has four catches for 45 yards and a score.
Meanwhile, Ashton Jeanty has had some solid plays, but has mostly been contained by Penn State. He has 13 rushes for 39 yards with a fumble and two receptions for 43 yards. Penalties were an issue in the second quarter — each with four.
“We just got to clean up the penalties,” said Penn State head coach James Franklin.
The Nittany Lions will start the second half with the ball and a chance to extend the lead.
Penn State 17, Boise State 7: Nittany Lions score field goal before halftime
It’s a two-score game at the break with Penn State adding three points before the second quarter ended.
The Nittany Lions were able to get into Boise State territory, and on a fourth-and-long play, Boise State’s Davon Banks was called for pass interference to extend the drive and move Penn State in more comfortable field goal territory. Drew Allar took some shots toward the end zone that were unsuccessful, and kicker Ryan Barker had no issues with a 40-yard field goal.
Defense starting to take control
Neither offense has been able to do much late in the second quarter with four straight drives ending in punts.
In the last four drives, both teams have combined for only 30 yards.
Penn State 14, Boise State 7: Broncos respond
Boise State is finally on the board after an eight play, 52-yard drive got the Broncos into the end zone.
Ashton Jeanty had been largely kept in check in the first quarter, but a mixture of runs and using him in the passing game got Boise State in the red zone. His teammates carried the load the rest of the way, capped off with fullback Tyler Crowe bulldozing his way past the goal line.
End of first quarter: Penn State 14, Boise State 0
It’s been all Penn State so far with a 14-0 lead after the first 15 minutes.
After preventing Boise State from scoring on its first two drives, Penn State easily marched right down the field on its first two possessions, both capped off by touchdown passes from Drew Allar.
The focus of the night has been whether Ashton Jeanty can break through a stout Nittany Lion defense, and it’s been a tough start for the runner-up to the Heisman Trophy so far. He has eight carries for 20 yards and a fumble.
Penn State has outgained Boise State 174-79.
Drew Allar fumbles
Just when Penn State was going for the early kill, it gives the ball right back to Boise State.
Two plays after recovering an Ashton Jeanty fumble, Drew Allar couldn’t hold onto the ball on a read option and Boise State's Seyi Oladipo quickly recovered it.
Ashton Jeanty fumbles
Things are going from bad to worse quickly for Boise State after its Heisman Trophy runner-up fumbled.
Ashton Jeanty bounced outside toward the out of bounds like, and just before he stepped out, Penn State’s Kobe King punched the ball out and his teammate Zakee Wheatley recovered the ball before stepping out of bounds. The Nittany Lions will now start at their own 49-yard line.
Penn State 14, Boise State 0: Drew Allar throws another touchdown pass
The Penn State offense cannot be stopped early with a two-touchdown lead in the first quarter.
On the fourth play of the Nittany Lions’ second drive of the night, Drew Allar found Omari Evans running down the field and placed it perfectly in his receiver’s hands in the end zone for a 38-yard score.
Allar is 3-for-4 with 55 yards and two touchdown passes already.
Penn State 7, Boise State 0: Nittany Lions march right down the field
There were no problems for Penn State on its opening drive, going 72-yards down the field on nine plays for the first touchdown of the game.
The running attack of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton did most of the damage to get in the red zone. Then Drew Allar placed the ball perfectly to Tyler Warren in the back of the end zone, and the do-it-all tight end was able to keep a foot in bounds for the 11-yard touchdown strike.
The leading receiver for Penn State, Warren scored his 12th touchdown of the season.
Boise State misses field goal
The Broncos had the chance to score on the opening drive of the game, but a field goal went wide left.
Maddux Madsen’s arm was able to get Boise State into the Penn State side of the field, and it stalled at the 28-yard line. Boise State coach Spencer Danielson sent the field goal unit, and kicker Jonah Dalmas didn’t come close to making it near the goal post.
Barry Sanders wishes Boise State's Ashton Jeanty good luck on breaking rushing record
By the end of the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Barry Sanders might no longer hold the NCAA single-season rushing record.
And the former Oklahoma State running back seems excited at the possibility. — John Leuzzi
When is the Fiesta Bowl between Penn State and Boise State?
The Fiesta Bowl game CFP quarterfinal between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Boise State Broncos kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
How to watch Penn State and Boise State in Fiesta Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Boise State Broncos will be televised nationally on ESPN with an alternative broadcast on ESPN2.
Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.
Watch Penn State take on Boise State with a Fubo subscription
Why is Boise State wearing road uniforms at Fiesta Bowl?
Boise State football looks to extend its historic season with its first ever College Football Playoff victory on Tuesday, in the Fiesta Bowl against No. 6 Penn State.
And it will look to do so with a traditional look.
Prior to kickoff at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the 3-seeded Broncos unveiled their uniform for Tuesday night's game: the uniform they have worn for each of their Fiesta Bowl appearances: white jersey top, orange pants and blue helmet. — John Leuzzi
Penn State vs. Boise State: Fiesta Bowl odds
The Penn State Nittany Lions are favorites to defeat the Boise State Broncos, according to BetMGM.
Odds as of Monday, Dec. 31
- Spread: Penn State (-11.5)
- Moneyline: Penn State (-500); Boise State (+375)
- Over/under: 54.5
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl predictions: Penn State vs. Boise State
Paste BN: Penn State over No. 3 Boise State
Paul Myerberg writes: "Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty will enter the quarterfinals 131 yards shy of Barry Sanders’ single-season record of 2,628 rushing yards. He’ll face a brick wall in Penn State, which ranks ninth in yards allowed on the ground per game and third in rushing touchdowns allowed. Any chance the Broncos have of advancing to the semifinals demands another big game from Jeanty, and it’s hard to say for certain he’ll find creases against the Nittany Lions’ front. If Penn State can slow him down, that would put all the pressure Boise State quarterback Maddux Madden and his receivers to execute at a level not been seen this season."
ESPN: Penn State 35, Boise State 31
Adam Rittenberg writes: "The teams will trade scores most of the way, but Penn State quarterback Drew Allar delivers two late touchdown passes, the last to All-America tight end Tyler Warren. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki channels former Boise State coach Chris Petersen and makes the playcalls that will leave everyone buzzing as the Lions march on to the national semifinals."
NBC Sports: Boise State
Eric Froton writes: “Boise State has scored 20+ points in every game this season with the exception of a 17-13 land war against Wyoming. Penn State has allowed 20+ points five times this season to teams such as Oregon, Minnesota, Ohio State, USC and Bowling Green. I think Boise State can generate enough offense to clear their 19.5 points team total line.”
Bowl game picks
Here are Paste BN Sports’ expert picks for all of the college football bowl games.
Penn State vs. Boise State all-time record
The Penn State Nittany Lions and Boise State Broncos have not faced off in their history.
Penn State comes in with a 12-2 record and a second-place finish in the Big Ten. The Broncos claimed a Mountain West title behind a 12-1 record.
College Football Playoff bracket: CFP schedule
The first round of the College Football Playoff concluded with all four home teams winning.
FRIDAY, DEC. 20
SATURDAY, DEC. 21
- Game 2: No. 6 Penn State def. No. 11 SMU, 38-10
- Game 3: No. 5 Texas def. No. 12 Clemson, 38-24
- Game 4: No. 8 Ohio State def. No. 9 Tennessee, 42-17
CFP quarterfinals schedule
The four quarterfinal games will be played on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, with one game on Dec. 31 and three on Jan. 1. All games will be televised by ESPN.
All times Eastern
TUESDAY, DEC. 31
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. Penn State, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1
- Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. Texas, 1 p.m. (ESPN)
- Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. Ohio State, 5 p.m. (ESPN)
- Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. Notre Dame, 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)
CFP semifinals schedule
The semifinal games will be played on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10. Both games will be televised by ESPN.
All times Eastern
THURSDAY, JAN. 9
- Orange Bowl: Fiesta Bowl winner vs. Sugar Bowl winner, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
FRIDAY, JAN. 10
- Cotton Bowl: Peach Bowl winner vs. Rose Bowl winner, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
CFP national championship game schedule
MONDAY, JAN. 20
- Game: Orange Bowl winner vs. Cotton Bowl winner
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
CFP rankings
- Oregon (Big Ten champion, No. 1 seed)*
- Georgia (SEC champion, No. 2 seed)*
- Texas (No. 5 seed)
- Penn State (No. 6 seed)
- Notre Dame (No. 7 seed)
- Ohio State (No. 8 seed)
- Tennessee (No. 9 seed)
- Indiana (No. 10 seed)
- Boise State (MWC champion, No. 3 seed)*
- SMU (No. 11 seed)
- Alabama
- Arizona State (Big 12 champion, No. 4 seed)*
- Miami
- Mississippi
- South Carolina
- Clemson (ACC champion, No. 12 seed)**
*first-round bye; **automatic bid
Penn State vs. Boise State: Keys to the game
Penn State’s defense made a statement in a 38-10 win against SMU in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.
The offense was relegated to backup status as the Nittany Lions scored twice on interception returns and set up another short field that led to a touchdown late in the first half. Ahead 28-0 at the break, Penn State cruised into the quarterfinals against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.
This same defense is the reason why the Nittany Lions are favored to advance into the national semifinals and potentially capture the program’s first national championship since 1986. — Paul Myerberg
College football bowl game schedule: Entire postseason lineup
College football bowl season began Dec. 14 and will run through Jan. 20 with the College Football Playoff championship game in Atlanta. Click here for the schedule of all upcoming bowls, including the College Football Playoff, and the results of already completed games.
Bowl seasons change: What to do about college football's postseason?
The timing is good to think about changes. In 2026, when all the current agreements expire, the College Football Playoff is likely to expand to 14 teams. That will undoubtedly have a downstream impact on the bowls, of which there are currently 35 outside of those tied to the playoff.
The reality check here is bowl season, for all its problems, is inexorably linked to ESPN’s December programming schedule. In fact, ESPN owns and operates 17 of those games itself and has broadcast agreements with nearly all of the others. Good luck convincing college football's most important business partner that bowl games are no longer worthwhile when they’re filling television windows over the holidays that generate more viewers than the NBA, college basketball or NHL regular-season games that would likely take their place. — Dan Wolken
College football 2024 season predictions
The experts at Paste BN Sports offered predictions for the 2024 season before it started, including which 12 teams would make the College Football Playoff.
- Scooby Axson: Ohio State
- Jordan Mendoza: Oregon
- Paul Myerberg: Georgia
- Erick Smith: Georgia
- Eddie Timanus: Ohio State
- Dan Wolken: Ohio State
College football bowl game rankings: 35 matchups from best to worst
We’ll begin with a couple of stipulations. First, we’ll operate under the assumption that all the first-round playoff games, as well as the quarterfinal and semifinal bowl contests, will be appointment viewing anyway, so they won’t be included in this exercise. We’ll also add that while some matchups look attractive in terms of records and rankings, whether the games will turn out to be good hinges upon which key players actually show up. We also recognize that your interest in a particular game might differ based upon your rooting interest.
We try to put these in order of what we think will have the highest entertainment value, but circumstances can change before the games kick off. Click here for our watchability rankings for all 35 non-playoff bowls. — Eddie Timanus
How many teams are in the College Football Playoff 2024?
In the 2024-25 season, 12 teams will qualify for the College Football Playoff. The top five conference champions will earn automatic bids, with the top four earning a first-round bye. The remaining seven highest-ranked teams will complete the 12-team field.
The uncertain future of the college football bowl system
For an industry that has gone out of its way over many decades to accommodate the bowl industry, even cutting them in on the spoils of the College Football Playoff, there’s been a disturbance in the force.
Though everyone knew a decade ago that creating the CFP would change the nature of and interest in college football’s larger postseason, the bowls were still considered untouchable. Despite a financial model that ensured most schools lost money on bowls, schools and conferences dutifully participated in them, believing in their necessity as a reward for players, a vehicle for coaches to squeeze in extra practices and a marketing tool for the university. — Dan Wolken
College football, CFP games and NIL impact
If players are employees, then they’ll negotiate College Football Playoff bonuses for each round completed. Not unlike the NFL and its playoff bonus structure.
You can’t ask players to play more games (to increase your bottom dollar with booming media rights deals), and not give them a bonus structure for those extra games. I’ll say this again because it’s getting lost in the greedy players narrative: Penn State and Texas could play 17 games this season.
That, everyone, is insanity for two rosters that aren’t yet paid directly to play. A majority of the players on those rosters make little to nothing in NIL deals. — Matt Hayes
College football players drivven by money bother you? Get over it
How does College Football Playoff format work?
The 12 participating teams in the College Football Playoff bracket are the five conference champions ranked highest by the CFP selection committee, and the next seven highest-ranked teams.
The four highest-ranked conference champions are seeded one through four and received a first-round bye. The fifth conference champion is seeded where it was ranked among the top 12 teams, or at No. 12 if it is outside the top 12 in the CFP rankings. Non-conference champions ranked in the top four will be seeded beginning at No. 5.
"Because of this," the CFP warns on its website, "the seeding, 1 through 12, could look different than the final rankings."
For the first round, the higher-ranked team in each pairing (5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, 8 vs. 9) will serve as host on campus. The winners advance to the quarterfinals and match up with the corresponding top-four conference champion based on seeding. Quarterfinal games will played at the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The semifinals – played at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl Classic – will take place Jan. 9-10.
The two semifinal winners will play for the national championship Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. — Mark Giannotto
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