Penn State Defeats Boise State 31-14 in Fiesta Bowl to Advance to CFP Semifinals
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Despite a gritty performance from Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty, No. 5 Penn State’s defense stifled Boise State’s offense while Drew Allar threw three touchdown passes to lead the Nittany Lions to a 31-14 victory in the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday night. The win earned Penn State a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals, where they will face either No. 2 Georgia or No. 3 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on January 9.
Penn State (13-2, CFP No. 6 seed) came out strong, dominating the early stages of the game with a 14-0 lead. The Nittany Lions’ defense, led by a relentless front seven, made life difficult for Jeanty, the nation’s second-leading rusher. Though Jeanty managed to finish with over 100 yards, he was forced to work hard for every yard, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry—half of his season average.
“We knew who we were going against. We knew we had to have hats to the ball every single play because every play he could break one,” said Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley, who had an interception and recovered a fumble. “We did that the whole game.”
Early Momentum Shifted by Allar’s Touchdowns
The Nittany Lions’ offense, which has occasionally been criticized this season, looked sharp early, with Allar throwing for 171 yards on 13-of-25 passing. After establishing a 14-0 lead, Allar connected with tight end Tyler Warren for an 11-yard touchdown and later found Omari Evans for a 38-yard score that pushed Penn State's lead to two touchdowns.
Boise State (12-2, CFP No. 3 seed) wasn't about to back down, though. The Broncos, who are known for their resilience, clawed back into the game in the second quarter and early in the third. Following a fumble by Allar and a turnover by Jeanty, Boise State took advantage of the momentum shift. Tyler Crowe, the Broncos' fullback, powered through Penn State's defense for an 8-yard touchdown run that cut the lead in half.
The Broncos weren't finished there. Matt Lauter caught a 53-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, bringing Boise State to within three points at 17-14. It seemed like the underdogs might have a chance to complete the comeback.
However, that was as close as Boise State would get.
Nick Singleton and the Nittany Lions Seal the Win
With Boise State threatening to take control of the game, Penn State quickly responded. Allar threw his second touchdown pass of the night to Warren, a critical score that pushed the Nittany Lions' lead back to two possessions. But the real backbreaker came shortly after, when sophomore running back Nick Singleton burst through the Boise State defense for a 58-yard touchdown run that made it 31-14 with just under five minutes remaining.
The Nittany Lions' offensive line controlled the game in the second half, allowing Penn State to run for 216 yards on the night. Kaytron Allen led the charge with 134 yards on 22 carries, while Singleton added 87 yards on just 10 attempts.
“We played a complete game,” said Penn State coach James Franklin. “Our offense, defense and special teams, we played complementary football, did some special things.”
Jeanty Battles but Boise State Falls Short
For Boise State, Jeanty never truly found his rhythm against the Nittany Lions' defense. The All-American finished with 104 yards on 30 carries, a far cry from the dominant performances he turned in throughout the regular season. Jeanty, who had been chasing Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record, came up 27 yards short, but he credited Penn State’s defense for its execution.
“They have a great D-line, front seven,” Jeanty said. “It wasn’t really extraordinary. They executed, they tackled and we didn’t play our best.”
The Broncos had opportunities but couldn’t capitalize. Quarterback Maddux Madsen struggled with three interceptions, and kicker Jonah Dalmas missed his second field goal attempt of the game, leaving Boise State with no answers as the game wound down.
“It’s disappointing,” said Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson. “A lot of people counted us out and we came up a couple of plays short.”
Looking Ahead
With the win, Penn State moves on to the CFP semifinals, where they will face either Georgia or Notre Dame, two of the top programs in college football. The Nittany Lions' balance on both sides of the ball, led by their stout defense and powerful running game, makes them a formidable opponent heading into the final four.
For Boise State, the loss marks the end of a strong season that saw the Broncos make a deep playoff run. While they fought valiantly, the turnovers and missed opportunities were too much to overcome in the end.
In the Fiesta Bowl, it was Penn State’s dominance in the trenches and execution on both sides of the ball that earned them a well-deserved win. With a trip to the CFP semifinals on the horizon, the Nittany Lions will look to continue their march toward a potential national title.
Cameron Williams
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Senior Writer
