Fiesta Bowl Penn State vs. Boise State game info
- Game day: Tuesday, December 31, 2024
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Stadium: State Farm Stadium
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: Watch LIVE with Fubo!
Fiesta Bowl Showdown: Penn State and Boise State Battle for CFP Glory
The stage is set in Glendale, Arizona, as the No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions (12-2) face off against the No. 8 Boise State Broncos (12-1) in the Fiesta Bowl, the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff.
Kickoff at State Farm Stadium is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Both teams arrive with impressive résumés and unblemished histories at the Fiesta Bowl.
Penn State holds the record for the most Fiesta Bowl wins with a perfect 7-0 mark. Boise State, the bowl’s Cinderella, boasts a 3-0 record, highlighted by their iconic 2007 upset over Oklahoma.
Photo Courtesy of Boise State Athletics
Interesting Facts
Boise State enters the Fiesta Bowl on an 11-game winning streak, having claimed back-to-back Mountain West Conference championships for the first time in program history. Their only loss this season came by a narrow three points to top-ranked Oregon.
Penn State, meanwhile, boasts a perfect 5-0 record against current members of the Mountain West Conference.
The Nittany Lions are coming off an impressive performance against SMU, where they intercepted three passes, including two returned for touchdowns.
Photo Courtesy Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Broncos feature the nation’s third-best scoring offense, averaging 39.1 points per game, while Penn State’s defense is one of the stingiest, allowing just 15.9 points per game.
Both teams excel at getting to the quarterback, with Boise State ranking second in the nation with 3.92 sacks per game and Penn State not far behind at fifth with 2.57 sacks per contest.
It’s a clash of high-powered offenses and fierce defenses in what promises to be a thrilling Fiesta Bowl.
Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.comPennLive
What’s at Stake?
A coveted spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals is up for grabs in this inaugural year of the expanded 12-team format.
Boise State, led by Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty, earned a bye into the quarterfinals and now returns to the Fiesta Bowl.
The Broncos first captured national attention on this stage with their iconic 2007 upset victory.
Penn State, meanwhile, shook off its “big-game” doubts with a commanding 38-10 win over SMU in the opening round. The Nittany Lions are determined to build on that momentum and take another step toward a historic playoff run.
Penn State’s Path to History
The Nittany Lions are fresh off a 38-10 victory over SMU. This win marked James Franklin’s 100th career victory at Penn State and his first College Football Playoff triumph.
Despite a modest day from quarterback Drew Allar (127 yards on 13-of-22 passing), the Lions leaned on their ground game.
Nicholas Singleton carried the ball 14 times for 90 yards and a touchdown, while Harrison Wallace III contributed four receptions for 48 yards.
A win against Boise State would give Penn State its first-ever 13-win season, adding another milestone to its storied program, which includes 919 victories, two national titles, and 44 consensus All-Americans.
Boise State: The Underdog’s Underdog
The Broncos enter the Fiesta Bowl following a gritty 21-7 win over UNLV.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen led the way with 158 yards passing and two total touchdowns. In comparison, Ashton Jeanty delivered a dominant performance on the ground with 209 rushing yards and a touchdown on 32 carries.
Boise State hasn’t won 13 games in a season since 2009, when they finished 14-0, capped by a Fiesta Bowl victory over TCU.
To set a new school record for wins, the Broncos must do the improbable: win the national title.
Fiesta Bowl Preview: Penn State vs. Boise State
Fans can expect an electrifying clash as Penn State and Boise State bring their undefeated Fiesta Bowl histories to Glendale, Arizona, for a College Football Playoff quarterfinal showdown.
Penn State’s powerful defense and balanced offense, led by Nicholas Singleton and Donovan Allar, aim to secure the program’s first-ever 13-win season.
Meanwhile, Boise State’s Cinderella story continues with a dynamic rushing attack fueled by Ashton Jeanty, fresh off a 200-yard performance.
Both teams are fast-paced and gritty, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle with a semifinal spot on the line.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET—don’t miss this thrilling New Year’s Eve showdown!
First-Ever Meeting and High Stakes
This is the first time Penn State and Boise State have met on the football field.
The winner of this historic matchup will advance to the Orange Bowl semifinal to face the victor of the Sugar Bowl clash between No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame.
Photo Courtesy of Boise State Athletics
Key Matchup
Penn State’s defense vs. Ashton Jeanty. The Nittany Lions boast a fierce defense, ranking in the top 10 nationally in total defense (4th), scoring defense (6th), and run defense (7th).
However, they haven’t faced a player like Jeanty. The junior running back, a powerful and explosive force, rushed for 2,497 yards this season—more than 115 FBS teams—and is just 132 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders’ long-standing single-season record. Penn State’s defense must be at its best, wrapping up tackles and containing Jeanty, who set an NCAA record with 143 missed tackles forced and ran for 1,889 yards after contact.
Players to Watch
Boise State: QB Maddux Madsen. With Penn State focused on stopping Jeanty, Madsen must step up to keep the Broncos in the game.
The 5-foot-10 sophomore threw for 2,714 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just three interceptions this season, and his ability to make plays will be crucial for Boise State’s upset hopes.
Penn State: TE Tyler Warren. After an impressive 2023 season, Warren has put himself on the radar as a top NFL prospect, possibly the first tight end off the board. The second-team AP All-American and John Mackey Award winner caught 92 passes for 1,095 yards and six touchdowns, making him a key target for the Nittany Lions’ offense.
Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images / Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
What to Watch For
- Tempo and Defense: Boise State’s run-heavy offense, led by Jeanty, will face a stout Penn State defense known for its physicality and discipline.
- Milestone Moments: Will Penn State notch its first 13-win season, or will Boise State continue its Fiesta Bowl magic?
- Coaching Impact: James Franklin’s steady hand versus Andy Avalos’ underdog mindset promises a tactical chess match.
Game Details
- Date: Tuesday, December 31
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- TV: ESPN (Live stream on Fubo)
As two of college football’s finest programs take the field, the Fiesta Bowl promises to deliver a thrilling start to the New Year and a stepping stone toward the ultimate prize—a national championship.
We know one thing for certain, “State” team will come out victorious and one to the next college playoff round! 🙂
