The much-anticipated college football matchup between No. 6 Penn State and No. 3 Boise State at the 2024 Fiesta Bowl turned out to be as exhilarating as fans hoped. Played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on New Year's Eve, this playoff quarterfinal determined who would advance to the semifinals of the inaugural expanded College Football Playoff.
Penn State, which came off a solid 38-10 victory over SMU, was marked as the favorite with an 11-point spread over the Broncos. The Nittany Lions showcased their elite gameplay early on, with quarterback Drew Allar leading the charge. Early scores from Allar to Tyler Warren, and another touchdown strike to Omari Evans secured the Nittany Lions' lead, putting Boise State on the defensive foot from the start.
By the close of the first quarter, Penn State had established a 14-point lead, showcasing its dominance through strategic offensive plays. To make matters worse for Boise State, they couldn't capitalize on opportunities, including missing a 45-yard field goal attempt with their kicker, Jonah Dalmas, stalling their momentum.
The Broncos finally broke through the Nittany Lions' defense midway through the second quarter, as fullback Tyler Crowe powered through for an 8-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 14-7. Nevertheless, Penn State responded effectively, extending their lead just before halftime. Kicker Ryan Barker hit a 40-yard field goal, bringing the score to 17-7 at the break.
Turning points defined the second half. Boise State's Maddux Madsen connected with Matt Lauter for what looked like a significant touchdown, only to see it called back due to penalties. Such missed opportunities compounded the earlier errors, as the Broncos struggled against the fierce Nittany Lions defense, which intercepted Madsen twice during the game, including one from safety Zakee Wheatley.
On the other side, Penn State took full advantage of its opportunities. Following a missed field goal by Boise State, Nick Singleton broke off for an electrifying 58-yard touchdown run, effectively sealing the game with just under five minutes remaining. This brought the score to 31-14, leaving Boise State with little chance to mount any serious comeback.
The game concluded with the Nittany Lions progressing to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Their comprehensive performance underscored their strength as they move forward, driven by star players like Allar, Singleton, and Warren, each making impactful plays throughout the night. The Nittany Lions aim to build on this success as they prepare for the next round, staking their claim as one of the fiercest contenders for the national title. Meanwhile, the Broncos will reflect on missed opportunities and look to regroup as they finish their season with pride.