Penn State advanced to its first-ever College Football Playoff semifinal with a 31-14 victory over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday. The Nittany Lions (13-2) stayed perfect at 8-0 all-time in Fiesta Bowl appearances, while handing the Broncos (12-2) their first defeat in four trips to the desert classic.
Penn State raced to an early 14-0 lead behind a pair of Drew Allar touchdown passes, including a deep strike to Omari Evans. Boise State fought back, drawing within three points in the third quarter after tight end Matt Lauter’s 53-yard score. However, Penn State’s defense, led by edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton and an opportunistic secondary, forced four turnovers and consistently harassed Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen.
Tyler Warren hauled in two touchdown receptions, setting a new single-season receptions mark for the Nittany Lions, and running back Nick Singleton iced the game with a 58-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter. Despite Ashton Jeanty’s late push on the ground, Boise State missed two field goals and could not sustain enough drives to keep pace.
With the victory, Penn State heads to the Orange Bowl for its CFP semifinal date, continuing a season in which the Nittany Lions seek their first national championship since 1986.
Bill ConnellyJan 21, 2025, 05:14 PM ETCloseBill Connelly is a staff writer for ESPN.com.Despite losing to Michigan at the end of the regular season, Ohio State
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