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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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.
PSU punts it to BSU
The Broncos will get the ball back with just under 2 minutes left in the first half. They haven’t had much luck through the air so far, but they’ll need to move the ball with some pace here.
50-yard PSU run called back
Kaytron Allen just broke off the biggest run of the game, but it was all for naught after a holding call on one of his offensive linemen.
BSU punts it back
The Broncos can’t do anything on the ensuing possession and give it right back to PSU. For those wondering, Ashton Jeanty has essentially been bottled up so far against a stacked box. He has 12 carries for 37 yards.
Penn State forced to punt
The Broncos are going to have a shot at tying this thing up after a PSU drive fizzled out a deep sack taken by Drew Allar.
They’ll have the ball at their own 39-yard line with just over 5 minutes left in the half.
Touchdown Boise State!
The Broncos are on the board in the Fiesta Bowl! It’s not Ashton Jeanty but Tyler Crowe with a gritty 8-yard run to get into the end zone. What a strong finish by the fullback.
PSU 14, BSU 7
PSU star DE Abdul Carter injured
Abdul Carter is favoring his right shoulder and just went into the medical tent for Penn State.
Ashton Jeanty put the ball on the turf again, but a BSU teammate came up with it and the Broncos are now inside the red zone.
There’s just over 10 minutes left in the first half.
BSU, PSU trade punts
The Broncos will have it back after consecutive drives by the teams went nowhere. PSU tried a trick play on third down but it didn’t have any success.
BSU will start at its own 48-yard line after a solid return by Cooper Jones.
End of 1Q: PSU 14, BSU 0
It was all Penn State in the opening quarter as Drew Allar was dropping dimes and BSU’s offense couldn’t get anything going.
Penn State fumbles it right back!
Two plays later, the Nittany Lions have given it right back to BSU on a fumble by quarterback Drew Allar. The Broncos desperately needed that.
Boise State fumbles it!
Oh my goodness. What a disaster start for Boise! Ashton Jeanty was fighting for extra yards and the ball was popped out of his hands on the sideline and PSU’s Zakee Wheatley made a great play in securing the ball before going out of bounds.
I am stating the obvious here, but this was about the worst way the game could have started for Boise State. This is not a team that’s built to come back from big deficits without Ashton Jeanty breaking 50+-yard runs at will. And Penn State doesn’t give up long runs.
TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE!
What a start for the Nittany Lions! This time Drew Allar found Omari Evans on a deep post route for a 38-yard touchdown. Allar is on the money so far in this one.
PSU 14, BSU 0
BSU forced to punt
The Broncos couldn’t move the ball at all on the ensuing possession and punt it over to Penn State.
The Nittany Lions will have it back with good field position at their own 45.
Touchdown Penn State!
Who else but Tyler Warren to find the end zone first in the Fiesta Bowl? The star tight end found open space in the back corner of the end zone on a deep and Drew Allar put it right on the button for the first TD of the game.
PSU 7, BSU 0
PSU nearing red zone
The Nittany Lions are moving the ball with ease on the ground during their first drive of the game. A long Kaytron Allen run has them on the edge of the red zone.
Michele Paul is the news writer for Stated Podcast. She has written about everything from arts and construction to automotive and travel, as well as real estate and fashion. Michele also writes about her hobbies: cooking, watching movies with her husband and hanging out with her family.
