7:30 p.m. | ESPN
State Farm Stadium Glendale, Arizona
Penn State Nittany Lions notes
NO. 6 SEED PENN STATE BATTLES NO. 3 SEED BOISE STATE IN VRBO FIESTA BOWL
• OPENING KICK:
No. 6 seed Penn State takes on No. 3 seed Boise State in a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal game in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Tuesday, December 31. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. • SERIES HISTORY: Penn State meets Boise State for the first time in program history. The Nittany Lions are 5-0 against current members of the Mountain West. Penn State’s last matchup against a Mountain West member was a 37-21 win over San Diego State in 2015. • FRANKLIN COLLECTS 100TH WIN AT PENN STATE: In the Nittany Lions’ 38-10 win over SMU, head coach James Franklin earned his 100th win at Penn State. Franklin achieved 100 wins in 141 games at Penn State. He is one of seven current FBS coaches with 100+ wins at their current school, joining Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz (204), Clemson’s Dabo Swinney (179), Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy (169), Utah’s Kyle Whittingham (167), Air Force’s Troy Calhoun (135) and Georgia’s Kirby Smart (104). Among current FBS coaches with 100+ wins at their current school, Franklin was the third-fastest to 100 wins behind only Smart (117) and Swinney (129). • PICK-SIXES: The Penn State defense tallied three interceptions against SMU, returning two for touchdowns. Dominic DeLuca picked off a pass in the first quarter and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown, his second career pick-six. He added an interception in the second quarter to become the 15th Nittany Lion to record two interceptions in a bowl/CFP game. In the second quarter, Tony Rojas intercepted a pass and took it back 59 yards for a score. Rojas’ 59-yard return is Penn State’s longest interception return for a touchdown in a bowl/CFP game. Penn State returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the same game for the first time since 1998 vs. Michigan State. • THE OPPOSITION: Boise State is the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff and earned a first-round bye into the VRBO Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos are 12-1 overall and won the Mountain West. In the Mountain West Championship Game, Boise State collected a 21-7 win over UNLV. Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty rushed for 209 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown run.
SCOUTING THE BRONCOS
• Boise State is 12-1 overall and went 7-0 in the Mountain West. • The Broncos entered the College Football Playoffs at No. 9 in the CFP rankings and as the No. 3 seed in the bracket. • Boise State defeated UNLV, 21-7, in the Mountain West Championship game. • In the MWC Championship, RB Ashton Jeanty rushed for 209 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown. • On offense, Boise State ranks third in the nation in scoring (39.1), sixth in total offense (470.2) and fifth in rushing offense (250.5). • Jeanty was recognized as a Unanimous Consensus All-American, the first in Boise State history. He was also the winner of the Maxwell Award and finished as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. • Jeanty’s 2,497 rushing yards this season are fourth in FBS single-season history. He owns 29 rushing touchdowns, tying first in the country, and leads the nation in all-purpose yards (2,613). • He has tallied 1,889 yards after contact and forced 143 missed tackles. • Boise State’s defense sits 36th in the country in scoring defense (21.9) and 61st in total defense (361.9). • The Broncos rank second in the nation in sacks per game (3.92). • Edge Jayden Virgin-Morgan leads Boise State with 15.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
LAST FIESTA BOWL NO. 9 PENN STATE WINS FIESTA BOWL, 35-28
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley eclipsed 400 yards of total offense and became the school’s all-time bowl game passing leader to lead the No. 9 Nittany Lions past No. 11 Washington (10-3), 35-28, in the 2017 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl in University of Phoenix Stadium. Penn State improved to 7-0 all-time in the Fiesta Bowl to finish the 2017 season 11-2. It marked the first time since the 2008 and 2009 seasons that the Nittany Lions posted back-to-back 11-win seasons. McSorley led a Penn State offense that totaled 545 yards of offense, as he completed 32-of-42 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing 12 times for 60 yards. McSorley was particularly strong on third downs, completing 12-of-12 passing attempts for 194 yards and two touchdowns, resulting in 11 of Penn State’s 13 third down conversions. McSorley completed passes to nine different receivers, with DaeSean Hamilton catching five passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns to lead the group. McSorley was named the game’s offensive MVP, while safety Marcus Allen was named the defensive MVP. Allen had a team-high six solo tackles, and tied for the team lead with seven total tackles. Running back Saquon Barkley also had a record-breaking performance, setting a Fiesta Bowl and Penn State bowl record with a 92-yard touchdown run, also tying Penn State’s all-time longest run record. He finished with 137 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while also catching a team-high seven receptions and totaling 38 yards receiving. Penn State led the game from its opening possession until the end, with Washington getting no closer than a touchdown. The Nittany Lions’ 35 points scored snapped Washington’s 26-game streak of holding opponents to less than 30 points. Washington entered the game with the leading FBS rushing defense at 92.3 yards per game and had allowed just one play of more than 40 yards on the season, however Penn State rushed for 203 yards and had two plays go for more than 40 yards.
PENN STATE EARNS 55TH POSTSEASON APPEARANCE
• Penn State is making its 55th postseason appearance, including bowl and CFP appearances, ranking ninth all-time. • Head Coach James Franklin has guided his teams to a postseason appearance 13 times (3 at Vanderbilt; 10 at Penn State). • Penn State’s 32 postseason victories (bowl and CFP) are fourth nationally and lead all Big Ten schools. • The Nittany Lions’ 61.1 winning percentage in postseason games (bowl and CFP, 32-20-2 record) is No. 8 nationally among teams with at least 20 bowl appearances. • Penn State has played in 16 different bowl games and has played in each of the New Year’s Six bowls. • Penn State made its first postseason appearance in 1923 when it traveled across the country to face USC in the Rose Bowl Game to cap off the 1922 season.
PENN STATE IN THE FIESTA BOWL
• Penn State has a 7-0 record in seven previous appearances in the Fiesta Bowl. • Penn State participated in the seventh (1977; Arizona State), 10th (1980; Ohio State), 11th (1982; USC), 16th (1987; Miami), 21st (1992; Tennessee), 26th (1997; Texas) and 47th (2017; Washington) editions of the game. • Penn State’s seven appearances in the Fiesta Bowl are the most of any bowl in program history. • Only Ohio State (9; 5-4) has appeared in the Fiesta Bowl more than Penn State, while Arizona State (5-1) and Nebraska (2-4) have six appearances. • The 1977 Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State was the only bowl game Penn State played against a Big Ten team. Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993. • The 1982 Fiesta Bowl played between Penn State and USC was the first played on New Year’s Day. • The Nittany Lions won their second National Championship against Miami (Fla.) in one of the most memorable National Championship games ever at the 1987 Fiesta Bowl. The No. 2 Nittany Lions intercepted Heisman winner Vinny Testaverde five times to earn their second 12-0 season. • The 2017 Fiesta Bowl against Washington featured a 92-yard touchdown run by Saquon Barkley and 342 passing yards and two touchdowns by Trace McSorley as the Nittany Lions never trailed in the game.
IN THE CFP RANKINGS
• Penn State opened the 2024 College Football Playoff rankings at No. 6 and was ranked No. 4 in the December 8 poll. • Penn State is one of six FBS teams who have appeared in each of the last 18 CFP rankings. • With appearances in the last 18 CFP rankings, Penn State is tied for the fifth-longest active streak among FBS teams. • The Nittany Lions have appeared in the CFP rankings 42 times since the College Football Playoff was introduced in 2014. • Penn State has ranked among the CFP Top 10 on 26 occasions. • Penn State has finished in the CFP Top 12 seven times, ranking fourth-most among FBS teams and second among Big Ten teams.
THREE-STRAIGHT 10 WIN SEASONS
• In 2024, Penn State tallied 12 wins in a season for the fourth time in program history, joining 1973, 1986 and 1994. • The Nittany Lions won 12 games in a season for the first time under James Franklin. • In 2024, Penn State reached 11 wins in a season for the 20th time in program history and 11 regular season wins for the seventh time. • The Nittany Lions won 11 games in a season for the fifth time under Franklin (2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024). • PSU is one of six FBS programs with 11 wins in at least five of the last nine seasons, joining Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and Oklahoma. • Penn State won eight Big Ten games in a season for the third time in program history. • PSU has won 33 games over the last three seasons (2022, 2023, 2024). It marks the fourth time in program history that Penn State has won 33 or more games, joining 1971-73 (33). • Penn State joins Georgia (39), Michigan (35), Ohio State (33) and Oregon (35) among FBS teams with 33+ wins over the last three seasons. Alabama (32) could also reach 33+ wins over the last three seasons. • In 2024, PSU earned 10 wins and five road wins in a season for the ninth time in program history. • The Nittany Lions won at least 10 games in back-to-back seasons for the 13th time in program history and won at least 10 games in three-straight seasons for the fourth time in program history, first time as a Big Ten member, and first time since 1980-82. • Penn State joins Georgia, Ohio, Ohio State and Oregon as the only FBS teams who posted 10+ win seasons in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Alabama (9) won 10+ games in 2022 and 2023 and could join the list in 2024. • The Nittany Lions reached 10 wins for the sixth time since 2016. • Penn State is one of nine FBS teams with at least 10 wins in at least six of the last nine seasons, joining Alabama (8), Boise State (6), Clemson (8), Georgia (7), Michigan (6), Notre Dame (7), Ohio State (8) and Oklahoma (6).
LIONS UNDER THE LIGHTS
• With the Nittany Lions battling Illinois and Wisconsin on NBC Saturday night and Washington on Peacock, the 2024 season marks the 24th-straight with at least one regular-season night game on the schedule. • Penn State is 65-33 at night all-time. The figure breaks down to 23-11 at home, 30-14 on the road and 12-7 in neutral site games. Penn State is 1-1 at regular season neutral sites, 11-6 in bowl games and 1-0 in conference championship games. • In 2019, Penn State played its most regular season night games in program history with four primetime tilts. • On Oct. 12, 2013, the Lions claimed the then-longest game in Big Ten history when they edged Michigan under the lights, 43- 40, in four overtimes in front of a sellout Beaver Stadium crowd of 107,844 on Homecoming.
Boise State Broncos Notes
OPENING KICKOFF
1 For the first time in program history, the No. 3 seed Boise State Broncos will play in the College Football Playoff as they will take on No. 6 seed Penn State for the first time with the CFP Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 5:30 p.m. MT. The game can be watched on ESPN and heard on the Bronco Radio Network.
2 While the Broncos will be making their inaugural appearance in the CFP, they are no stranger to the Fiesta Bowl as they are 3-0 all-time in the bowl game. A perfect record that began with the greatest college football game of this century — a 43-42 overtime victory against No. 7 Oklahoma on Jan. 1, 2007 — Boise State also beat #4 TCU, 17-10, in the Jan. 4, 2010, Fiesta Bowl and #10 Arizona, 38-30, in the Dec. 31, 2014, edition. Penn State, meanwhile, is 7-0 all-time in Fiesta Bowls.
3 Boise State, back-to-back Mountain West champions for the first time in program history, enters the CFP quarterfinal game ranked No. 9 in the final CFP rankings of the 2024 regular season and as the No. 3 seed thanks to being the third-highest ranked conference champion. The Broncos are riding an 11-game winning streak, which is tied for the second-longest active winning streak in FBS (leader: Oregon, 14 games; other: Notre Dame, 11 games).
4 Boise State is led by running back Ashton Jeanty, who is 131 yards away from tying Barry Sanders for the single season rushing record in an FBS season. Jeanty is the first Bronco to be named a unanimous All-American as well as win the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award. He was the second Boise State player to become a Heisman finalist as he was runner-up to Travis Hunter in what was the closest Heisman vote since 2009.
5 While Boise State boasts the third-best scoring offense in the country, its defense has steadily improved over the course of the season. The Broncos are averaging 16.0 points allowed in their last five games and have surrendered only five touchdowns in the last 14 quarters
DID YOU KNOW?
Boise State defines success: • Six losing seasons in the last 80 years (since WWII) • 11 losing seasons in program history (in 88 seasons) • Went from 1947 to 1985 without a losing season.
A WIN WOULD…
• Improve Boise State’s record in Fiesta Bowls to 4-0. • Extend Boise State’s winning streak to 12 games. The Broncos’ 11-game winning streak entering the CFP Quarterfinals is tied for the second-longest active streak in FBS. • Give Boise State its most wins in a season since 2009 when it went 14-0. • Be Boise State’s first win over a member of the Big Ten Conference at the time of competition. The Broncos are 0-2 in such games entering the Fiesta Bowl.
WHAT’S THE RUSH?
Boise State, which owns the fifth-best rushing offense in the country (250.5 ypg), has run for 200+ yards in 10 games this season. It marks the third straight season in which the Broncos have at least seven 200-yard rushing games in a single season. This number leads the Mountain West and is the most in the Broncos’ FBS era (since 1996).
PUT THE BALL DOWN
Boise State’s run game has been one of the best in the country when facing ranked opponents. The Broncos are one of six teams to average over 200 rushing yards per game against AP-ranked opponents (minimum two games). Boise State averages 207.0 rushing yards per game when playing ranked opponents, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
ESTABLISHING THE RUN GAME
The current average of 250.5 rushing yards per game is the highest average in the program’s FBS era (since 1996), with the next-closest being 229.8 yards per game, achieved in 2004. The Broncos rank second in the FBS in yards per carry, averaging 6.32. This year, the Broncos have 14 individual 100-yard rushing performances, a single-season program record. The previous record of 11 was set in 2014.
GROUND GAME
Boise State’s total of 3,257 rushing yards is the highest single-season number of the program’s FBS era (since 1996), passing last year’s total of 3,008. The Blue and Orange have 42 rushing touchdowns this season, the team’s most in a regular season since the 2004 Broncos had 46.
IN TOTALITY
While the Boise State offense has been churning in the run game, it also ranks among the best in total offense as the Broncos are sixth in the nation with 470.2 yards per game. Boise State has four games of 500+ total yards this season, which already equals its total from the last two seasons combined and are its most in a season since 2013 (4). The program’s FBS record for most 500-yard games of total offense during a season is six set in 1996.
OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHT
Boise State ranks third nationally with 39.1 points per game, the most since 2011, when the Broncos averaged 44.2. Boise State has scored 508 points this season, matching the total of the 2015 squad. In addition to being sixth in the country in total offense, Boise State is sixth in the country in yards per play (6.83) and seventh in total yards (6,112). The Broncos are one of eight FBS teams to eclipse 6,000 total yards this season.
UNDER PRESSURE
Boise State’s pass rushers have been incredibly effective in reaching the quarterback this season. According to Pro Football Focus Ultimate, the Broncos have 250 total pressures, which combines sacks, hits and hurries. This ranks them fourth in the FBS. There are 17 Broncos with multiple pressures and 23 Broncos with at least one. Ahmed Hassanein has a team-high 60, ranking fourth in the country. He also has 17 quarterback hits, ranking third in the nation.
BRONCOS IN THE BACKFIELD
Boise State continues to wreak havoc in opponents’ backfields, ranking second in the nation with 51 sacks. The 51 total sacks are the most in the Broncos’ FBS era, which began in 1996. Leading the attack for the Broncos are Jayden Virgin-Morgan (10.0) and Ahmed Hassanein (8.5). Virgin-Morgan is tied for 13th in the country and Hassanein is tied for 20th. The Broncos also have 104 tackles for loss, third-most in the country. Virgin-Morgan also leads the way in TFLs, ranking 14th-nationally with 15.5.
LONG DRIVES
Boise State turned in a 90+ yard touchdown drive in three straight games, which was its longest such streak since 2016 when it did so in four-straight games (Oct. 7 at New Mexico, Oct. 15 at Colorado State, Oct. 20 vs. BYU, Oct. 29 at Wyoming).
BEND, DON’T BREAK
Boise State’s defense has allowed 21 or fewer points in five-straight games, a mark it has not achieved since 2017, when it also had a five-game streak of allowing 21 or fewer points. The 2012 unit limited opponents to 21 or less in eight-straight games. During the current stretch, the Broncos have allowed 10 touchdowns while scoring 19. Boise State has climbed to second in the conference and 36th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 21.9 points per game.
ANCHORING THE TRENCHES
Kage Casey is one of the nation’s top offensive linemen, earning a PFF overall grade of 85.0 that ranks fourth among FBS left tackles who have played over 700 snaps. The redshirt sophomore has not allowed a sack all season and has played a team-high 867 offensive snaps.
MORE EFFICIENCY FROM MADDOG
Maddux Madsen currently ranks second in the MW in passing efficiency (143.6) and has thrown 22 touchdowns to only three interceptions, the best ratio among FBS quarterbacks with at least 20 touchdown passes. Since 2000, only 42 quarterbacks have a TD:INT ratio of 7:1 or better. Alex Smith (Utah, 2004) is the lone MW quarterback on the list. The only Boise State player on the list is Kellen Moore, who achieved the feat in 2009. In MW games, Madsen had 12 touchdowns and one interception, making him the only player in the country with 12+ touchdowns and one interception in conference play. His career record as a starting quarterback is 13-1.
GET THE BALL OUT
Boise State has recovered eight fumbles this season, including two or more in three different games. The Broncos are first in the conference and 14th in the country with 13 fumbles forced.
LAUTER CONTINUES TO PRODUCE
Matt Lauter had five receptions for 62 yards against UNLV, bringing his season totals to 43 catches for 523 yards. He is the first Boise State tight end since Jeb Putzier (2001) to register 40+ catches and 500+ receiving yards.
CONTROLLING THE CLOCK
The Broncos have mastered controlling the clock in the fourth quarter as of late. They have totaled possession in the fourth quarter for 105:41 this season, or 54% of the possible time. Since the Oct. 25 win at UNLV, in which the Broncos ended the game with a 14-play, 8:07 drive, Boise State has held the ball for nearly 60% of the possible time in the fourth quarter.
GOING FOR IT – PART I
Boise State was 0-for-2 on fourth down attempts in the first three games of the season, but since converting the lone fourth down in the win against Washington State on Sept. 28, the Broncos have converted 15-of-19 fourth downs. Against San Diego State on Nov. 1, Boise State was 2-for2 on fourth down attempts. Boise State, which is 15-for-21 on fourth downs this season, has its most fourth down conversions in a season since 2015 (17-for-27).
GOING FOR IT – PART II
The Broncos are 11th in the nation in fourth down conversion rate this season (71.4%). The Broncos have scored in 12 of their 15 drives with a fourth-down conversion (11 TDs, 1 FG), with two drives that did not feature a score being drives that ended in kneel-downs to end their respective games (Oct. 25 at UNLV, Oct. 5 vs. Utah State). The other was a drive that resulted in a punt in the third quarter at Hawai’i on Oct. 12.
