Everywhere Ashton Jeanty turned on Tuesday night, he was met by a sea of blue and white. The Heisman Trophy runner-up still managed to grind out over 100 yards, but Penn State’s stifling defense ensured every step was hard-earned. Behind quarterback Drew Allar’s three touchdown passes and a dominant performance at the line of scrimmage, the No. 5 Nittany Lions defeated No. 8 Boise State 31-14 in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, earning a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The victory propels Penn State (13-2, CFP No. 6 seed) to its first CFP semifinal appearance, where they will face either No. 2 Georgia or No. 3 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on January 9.
The Nittany Lions built their success around controlling both sides of the ball. Their offensive line paved the way for a bruising 216-yard rushing performance, led by Kaytron Allen’s 134 yards and Nick Singleton’s 87 yards, which included a game-sealing 58-yard touchdown run.
On defense, Penn State bottled up Jeanty, who entered the game on the verge of NCAA history. The first-team All-American fell just 27 yards short of Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record, finishing with a season-low 104 yards on 30 carries, far below his 7.0-yard season average.
“Our goal was to make him work for every yard,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said. “He’s a phenomenal back, but we were disciplined, physical, and relentless.”
The Nittany Lions wasted no time establishing control, with Allar throwing a pair of first-quarter touchdown passes. He found Tyler Warren, the John Mackey Award winner, for an 11-yard score and later hit Omari Evans in stride for a 38-yard touchdown to put Penn State up 14-0.
But Boise State (12-2, CFP No. 3 seed) showed the resilience that has long defined its program. The Broncos stormed back, cutting the lead to 17-14 early in the third quarter. An 8-yard bulldozing touchdown run by fullback Tyler Crowe and a 53-yard touchdown catch by Matt Lauter gave Boise State momentum.
The Broncos’ hopes were undone, however, by turnovers and missed opportunities. Quarterback Maddux Madsen threw three interceptions, and kicker Jonah Dalmas missed two field goals.
Penn State responded to Boise State’s rally with poise. Allar connected with Warren for a second touchdown, this time a 15-yarder, to extend the lead to 24-14 late in the third quarter. Moments later, Singleton broke free for his electrifying 58-yard touchdown run, putting the game out of reach.
Allar, who faced criticism throughout the season for inconsistent play, finished with 171 yards on 13-of-25 passing, delivering one of his most efficient performances of the year.
“I’ve had ups and downs, but my teammates and coaches always believed in me,” Allar said. “This is a special team, and we’re not done yet.”
Despite the loss, Boise State’s season was a testament to the program’s continued ability to punch above its weight. The Broncos, known for their Cinderella runs, played with heart but could not overcome Penn State’s superior depth and physicality.
Jeanty’s fumble in the third quarter—just his third of the season—proved costly, as the Nittany Lions turned the ensuing possession into points. The star running back reflected on his season, which came agonizingly close to breaking one of college football’s most hallowed records.
“I gave it everything I had,” Jeanty said. “It’s disappointing to fall short, but I’m proud of what we accomplished as a team.”
Penn State advances to face the winner of Georgia and Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, while Boise State will look to regroup before opening the 2025 season against South Florida on August 30.
For the Nittany Lions, the journey continues as they seek their first national title since 1986. Franklin and his team know the road ahead will only get tougher, but Tuesday’s victory was a statement: Penn State belongs on college football’s biggest stage.
