Penn State punches ticket to CFP semifinals, downs Boise State 31-14
‼️ PSU advances to CFP semifinals
Penn State advanced to its first-ever College Football Playoff semifinal with a 31-14 victory over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday. The Nittany Lions (13-2) stayed perfect at 8-0 all-time in Fiesta Bowl appearances, while handing the Broncos (12-2) their first defeat in four trips to the desert classic.
Penn State raced to an early 14-0 lead behind a pair of Drew Allar touchdown passes, including a deep strike to Omari Evans. Boise State fought back, drawing within three points in the third quarter after tight end Matt Lauter’s 53-yard score. However, Penn State’s defense, led by edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton and an opportunistic secondary, forced four turnovers and consistently harassed Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen.
Tyler Warren hauled in two touchdown receptions, setting a new single-season receptions mark for the Nittany Lions, and running back Nick Singleton iced the game with a 58-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter. Despite Ashton Jeanty’s late push on the ground, Boise State missed two field goals and could not sustain enough drives to keep pace.
With the victory, Penn State heads to the Orange Bowl for its CFP semifinal date, continuing a season in which the Nittany Lions seek their first national championship since 1986.
😧 PSU clinches it with second pick
Penn State intercepts Maddux Madsen on fourth down, taking over deep in Boise State territory. With under four minutes left, the Nittany Lions are set to secure their first-ever trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
🦁 Nitts pull away, Singleton breaks loose
Nick Singleton bursts for a 58-yard touchdown run, pushing Penn State’s lead to 31-14 with under five minutes left. Boise State now faces a daunting climb in the final moments of this CFP quarterfinal.
PENN STATE BREAKS THE GAME OPEN 😳
— ESPN (@espn)
Nicholas Singleton takes it 58 yards to the house 🏠
❌ Another tough miss for Boise State
Ashton Jeanty’s 26-yard run sparked hope, but the Broncos’ field goal sails wide right for their second miss. Penn State still leads 24-14 in the fourth quarter.
👎 Boise State's breakthrough stumped
A potential Boise State touchdown was nullified by a penalty, and then QB Maddux Madsen followed the mess-up with a costly interception on third-and-25. Penn State retains a 24-14 lead and takes over near midfield early in the fourth quarter.
Warren makes PSU history
Tyler Warren’s third quarter touchdown gave him 98 catches for the season, surpassing Allen Robinson’s 2013 record. The senior tight end continues to cement his legacy in the CFP quarterfinal.
Another record for 4⃣4⃣. x
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball)
💥 Nitts strike back
Boise State tallies a fourth sack on Drew Allar, but the Nittany Lions QB responds with a clutch 15-yard scramble and a touchdown pass to Tyler Warren. Penn State goes up 24-14, regaining momentum midway through the third quarter.
TYLER WARREN'S SECOND TD OF THE DAY 😮
— ESPN (@espn)
He extends the lead for the Nittany Lions 🏈
🫡 Broncos back in it
Matt Lauter’s 53-yard touchdown catch — his longest of the season — brings Boise State within three.
WIDE OPEN 🤩
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB)
Maddog hits Lauter for the 53-yard TD |
🤝 PSU leads at halftime
Penn State capped the second quarter by tacking on a 40-yard Ryan Barker field goal, despite Boise State’s claims of a missed false start. The Nittany Lions lead 17-7 behind Drew Allar’s two touchdown passes, offensively outgaining the Broncos 221-147.
Boise State remains within striking distance after an early Penn State surge.
🔵🟠 Broncos break through
Boise State capitalizes in the red zone with a surprise fullback touchdown, cutting Penn State’s lead to 14-7. According to ESPN, the Nittany Lions also lose star DE Abdul Carter to an apparent arm injury.
Make Fullbacks Great Again
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB)
T-Crowe with the 8-yard TD 😤 | |
Trading fumbles, Penn State leads
Ashton Jeanty’s big gain ended in a costly turnover, but the Broncos caught a break when Drew Allar fumbled on the next play. Boise State regains possession, trailing 14-0 as the second quarter begins.
PENN STATE TAKES IT AWAY FROM JEANTY, BUT BOISE STATE GETS IT BACK ON THE ENSUING DRIVE 😱
— ESPN (@espn)
Allar, Nittany Lions roll early
Penn State races to a 14-0 lead behind Drew Allar’s deep dart to Omari Evans and a dominant showing from their 2022 recruiting class. Tyler Warren’s first quarter touchdown ties a career-high for the senior tight end, and the Nittany Lions look in control.
🦁 Nitts strike first
Kaytron Allen sets up Drew Allar’s touchdown pass to Tyler Warren, putting Penn State ahead 7-0. Boise State faces an early deficit with 6:40 left in the first quarter.
DREW ALLAR 🎯 TYLER WARREN
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball)
🫠 Boise State misses early chance
Boise State’s 45-yard field goal goes wide on fourth-and-2, keeping the score tied 0-0. Penn State takes over.
🔥 Flavor Flav spices up Fiesta Bowl
Hip-hop legend Flavor Flav is in the house, sporting his signature clock for this CFP quarterfinal.
You never know who you’ll run into at a CFP game.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel)