In the first College Football Playoff, Penn State is now one win away from the big dance.
The third-seeded Nittany Lions dropped out No. 6 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, 31-14, on New Year’s Eve to advance to the semifinals.
The Nittany Lions got off to a red-hot start, blocking a Boise State field goal and turning it into a touchdown. Then, after forcing a three-and-out, Drew Allar found Omari Evans on a long touchdown to make it 14-0. The Broncos would add a touchdown before halftime, and both offenses hung around for a while. Penn State added a field goal just before the half ended, but on their first drive of the second half, Boise State found the end zone again with a 53-yard catch and run by Matt Lauter.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates his touchdown run with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Penn State clicked again, however, as they went on an 11-play drive, covering 75 yards, with Allar finding Tyler Warren for the tight end’s second touchdown and regaining a 10-point lead. Maddux Madsen then threw a pick and Boise State, despite forcing a three-and-out, missed another field goal.
The Lions took advantage and seven plays later they led 31-14 with 4:54 to go after Nicholas Singleton rushed for a 58-yard touchdown. In the attempt to pull off a miracle, Madsen threw another interception, nearly putting a stop to the ball game.
Omari Evans #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Nittany Lions’ offense contained Ashton Jeanty all night – sure, 108 yards is very good, but that was the Heisman Trophy runner-up’s lowest rushing total of the season, while fumbling twice and there one lost. For example, his pursuit of Barry Sanders’ rushing record in one season fell just 24 yards short. Entering Tuesday, Jeanty had rushed for at least 127 yards in every game this year.
However, Jeanty’s 2,605 yards on the season are now the second-highest in a single season, as he surpassed Melvin Gordon and Kevin Smith, who now rank third and fourth respectively.
Tyler Warren #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with teammates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Boise State Broncos in the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Allar finished with 171 passing yards and his three touchdowns, while Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton combined for 221 yards on 29 carries.
Penn State will now face the winner of No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame Orange bowl on Jan. 9 for a chance to win a trip to the national championship. Those two will play in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday at 8:45 p.m
In the five playoff games so far, the higher seed has won by double digits each time.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports reporting on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
