The final college football game of 2024 will determine the first semifinal participant in the College Football Playoff.
Date: Dec. 31 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN | Line: Penn State -11 | Total: 54
The Nittany Lions dominated SMU in the first round of the playoff with three first-half interceptions, two of them returned for touchdowns. The Broncos are the Mountain West Conference champions and enter the game on an 11-game win streak. Their only loss of the season came to Oregon in Week 2.
It’s unlikely that Boise State is going to turn the ball over like SMU did in the first round, but it still has a tall task in moving the ball against PSU. The Nittany Lions have allowed just 1,405 rushing yards all season and opponents are averaging 3.1 yards a carry. Boise State averages 6.8 yards a carry as a team. It’s trite to say that slowing down Jeanty is imperative for Penn State, but it’s also the truth. Maddux Madsen has played well in 2024, but forcing him to win the game is Penn State’s best option.
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Touchdown Penn State!
Well so much for that. Nicholas Singleton just broke through the line for a 58-yard rushing touchdown that’ll serve as a dagger in this game.
PSU 31, BSU 14
PSU draining clock
The Nittany Lions are milking the clock now with a two-possession lead.
We’re inside the 5-minute mark now.
Boise State misses another FG
The Broncos couldn’t do much with it once they got inside the red zone and settled for another field goal attempt by Jonah Dalmas, who missed this one from 38 yards.
What a brutal mistake in a tight game.
BSU nearing red zone
The Broncos are closing in on the red zone as the game inches toward the 10-minute mark.
Jeanty breaks off 26-yard run
The Broncos were facing a third-and-21 deep in their own territory and Ashton Jeanty came through with a 26-yard run to keep the drive alive.
PSU punts it back
The Nittany Lions opted for a play-action pass on third-and-1 and the pass fell incomplete. The Broncos will have the ball back with just over 13 minutes left in the game.
Interception Penn State!
BSU QB Maddux Madsen didn’t see Zakee Wheatley playing centerfield and the safety comes down with the interception for the Nits as the fourth quarter gets underway.
End of 3Q: PSU 24, BSU 14
The Broncos had a touchdown called back moments ago and the third quarter will end with BSU on the edge of field goal range.
BSU on the march
The Broncos are now over midfield as time ticks away in the third quarter. Ashton Jeanty has still been kept under wraps by PSU’s defense, but QB Maddux Madsen is making the necessary throws to move the sticks.
Tyler Warren is simply unstoppable
Penn State’s offense has been at its best throwing to Warren or simply running the football. Boise State has gotten some good pressure against Drew Allar when bringing extra defenders, but Penn State is mauling Boise up front when its moving linemen down the field. The Broncos are not out of this game, but they are going to need to stop the run …. and also Warren.
Touchdown Penn State!
It’s Tyler Warren AGAIN! Drew Allar seemed to just throw it up in the end zone and the big-bodied tight end comes down with it for the score. What a clutch throw and grab by the duo on third-and-long.
PSU 24, BSU 14
Drew Allar scrambles for key first down
The Nittany Lions were facing a third-and-14 when Allar scrambled out of the pocket and found space enough to run for a first down. Clutch run by the QB.
PSU is inside the red zone now.
PSU on the march
The Nittany Lions are past midfield already after a 23-yard run by Kaytron Allen on third-and-short.
TOUCHDOWN BOISE STATE!
The Broncos are alive! Penn State just seemed to lose Matt Lauter in coverage and the tight end breaks away for a 53-yard catch-and-run touchdown.
Game on in Tempe!
PSU 17, BSU 14
Penn State punts it
The Broncos will have the ball after a quick three-and-out by PSU to come out of the break.
We are back for the second half of the Fiesta Bowl.
Penn State will have the ball at its own 25-yard line.
Halftime: PSU 17, BSU 7
The Nittany Lions will go into halftime with a 10-point lead after Ryan Barker hit a 40-yard field goal to end the second quarter.
PSU will get the ball first when we come back from the break.
A 10-point deficit at halftime is pretty dang good for Boise State after the way this game started. Though the Broncos can feel like they’ve wasted plenty of opportunities to tie the game — and Penn State can feel like it should have put this one away.
PSU drive saved by penalty
The Nittany Lions didn’t convert on fourth-and-long, but it didn’t matter after a BSU penalty gave them a free set of downs.
There’s less than 30 seconds left in the half.
BSU punts it back
The Broncos can’t do anything with their possession and give it right back to PSU. There’s a minute left in the half.
