Penn State beats Boise State to advance to CFP semifinals; Ashton Jeanty fails to break rushing record
In its first College Football Playoff game, Penn State is now just one win away from making the big dance.
On New Year’s Eve, the third-seeded Nittany Lions defeated No. 6 Boise State 31-14 in the Fiesta Bowl to advance to the semifinals.
The Nittany Lions got off to a hot start, blocking a Boise State field goal and converting 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 added a touchdown before halftime and both offenses stalled for a while. Penn State scored one more goal before halftime ended, but on its first possession of the second half, Boise State found Daryl again on Matt Lauter’s 53-yard catch-and-run. array area.
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Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona Celebrating a touchdown with teammates in the fourth quarter against the Boise State Broncos. (Christian Peterson/Getty Images)
Penn State was strong again, though, marching 75 yards on 11 plays, with Aral finding tight end Tyler Warren for his second touchdown and regaining a 10-point lead. Maddux Madsen followed with a pick and then, despite forcing a 3-pointer, Boise State missed another field goal.
The Lions took advantage, leading 31-14 seven plays later on Nicholas Singleton’s 58-yard rushing touchdown at 4:54. Madsen performed a miracle and intercepted again, almost icing on the cake.
Omari Evans #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona Celebrating after catching a touchdown catch in the first quarter against the Boise State Broncos. (Christian Peterson/Getty Images)
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The Nittany Lions offense held Ashton Jeanty in check all night long — sure, 108 yards was great, but it was the Heisman Trophy runner-up’s lowest rushing total of the season while losing two ball and lost one of them. Therefore, he is only 24 yards away from chasing Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record. Entering Tuesday, Jeanty had rushed for at least 127 yards in every game this year.
However, Jeanty’s 2,605 yards this season is now the second-most in a single season, as he surpasses Melvin Gordon and Kevin Smith, who rank third and fourth respectively.
Tyler Waugh No. 44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. Tyler Warren celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass in the third quarter against the Boise State Broncos. (Christian Peterson/Getty Images)
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Alar finished with 171 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton combined for 221 yards on 29 carries.
Penn State will face the winner of No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 for a chance to compete in the national championship. These two will play at the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday at 8:45 p.m.
In the five postseason games so far, the higher-seeded team has won by double digits each time.
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