GLENDALE, Ariz. — In a highly anticipated matchup, Penn State demonstrated their dominance over Boise State with a decisive 31-14 victory in the Fiesta Bowl, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

The Nittany Lions, ranked No. 6, were fully prepared to contain Ashton Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, and achieved their goal, holding him to a mere 104 yards on 30 carries. Jeanty’s performance, although still impressive by general standards, was a stark contrast to his typical success through the season, where he often exceeded 125 yards per game. With this effort, he finished 27 yards shy of breaking the legendary Barry Sanders’ record for single-season rushing yards set in 1988 with 2,628 yards (AP News)

Despite falling behind early with a 14-0 deficit, the Broncos rallied to narrow the gap to 17-14 in the third quarter, thanks to a strong performance by quarterback Maddux Madsen, who threw for 304 yards and a touchdown. However, Penn State responded effectively, as Drew Allar threw three touchdown passes throughout the game, showcasing his progression and resilience under pressure.

Penn State's running game was another critical factor, with Kaytron Allen rushing for 135 yards, and Nick Singleton making pivotal plays, including a game-sealing 58-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. As Penn State coach James Franklin noted, the team executed a balanced and complementary gameplay, effectively alternating between their powerful running and passing games (USA Today).

The defensive strategy was executed to perfection, as safety Zakee Wheatley stated, “We knew who we were going against. We knew we had to have hats to the ball every single play.” Wheatley contributed to this effort with a critical interception, further diminishing Boise State's momentum.

As the Nittany Lions look forward to the next round of playoffs, they will face the winner of the upcoming Georgia vs. Notre Dame matchup. Franklin expressed excitement about the opportunity ahead, reflecting on the team’s journey this season and their focus on a one-game-at-a-time mentality: “It’s not overly unique, but I’m a big believer in being present” (AP News).

For more details on the game and upcoming matchups, visit the full coverage on AP News and USA Today.