- Slug: Sports–Fiesta Bowl, 650 words.
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By Saleh Awaad
Cronkite News
GLENDALE – Nearly 38 years ago, Penn State forced Heisman winner Vinny Testaverde to throw five interceptions in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl as the Nittany Lions secured the program’s second national title in five years against the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes.
During Tuesday’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup at State Farm Stadium, Boise State’s offense encountered a similar fate.
Ashton Jeanty, the Broncos’ 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up, put the college football world and NFL teams on notice this season, finishing the year with 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground. However, in No. 3 Boise State’s biggest game of the season, Jeanty struggled to add another dominant game to his resume against a stout Penn State defense, which forced the Broncos into four turnovers in a 31-14 win to secure a spot in the CFP semifinals.
The Nittany Lions (13-2) held Jeanty to his worst game of the season with 104 rushing yards on 30 carries. Twenty of his carries went for three yards or less.
“I think we did corral him (Jeanty). Not ‘sort of,’” Penn State coach James Franklin said postgame. “The other thing that our guys have heard about is the records that he had a chance to break today too. It was a highly motivated group.”
Similar to the 1987 Fiesta Bowl game, Penn State executed a relentless defensive plan that led to Tuesday’s victory. The defense stacked the box against Jeanty to force the Broncos to beat them through the air – which worked relatively well for Boise State until the final quarter, when quarterback Maddux Madsen threw three interceptions.
Despite the absence of top-10 projected NFL Draft pick and star linebacker Abdul Carter through a majority of the game due to an apparent arm injury, the defense remained elite and forced the stops it needed to finish the victory. Penn State allowed only its second 100-yard rusher this season, with USC’s Jo’quavious Marks (111 rushing yards) achieving the feat in October.
In addition to holding Jeanty to his lowest yard total and just his second game of the season without a touchdown, the Nittany Lions also forced him to fumble twice (one recovered).
“They executed, they tackled, we didn’t play our best,” Jeanty said postgame. “I didn’t take care of the ball. So that’s why we weren’t able to get the job done.”
In addition to four turnovers, Boise State missed two field goals, committed 13 penalties and went scoreless in three trips inside of PSU’s 30-yard-line. Despite the miscues, PSU led 24-14 until Nicholas Singleton broke free for a 58-yard touchdown run to put the game away.
While the Broncos (12-2) trailed by two scores early in the first half, they remained in the game until Singleton’s score late in the fourth quarter. They finished the contest with more total yards, first downs, third-down conversions, time of possession and sacks in the 17-point loss.
“Back-to-back Mountain West champs has never happened. They did that. I’m so proud of this team,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said. “Obviously tonight, we didn’t execute the way we needed to win a heavyweight fight like we knew this was going to be. We’ve got to learn and grow from that as a program.”
Penn State star tight end and 2024 Mackey Award Winner Tyler Warren received the Fiesta Bowl’s offensive MVP award for his two-touchdown performance with six catches for 63 yards. Safety Zakee Wheatley was crowned the defensive MVP after securing a crucial fourth-quarter interception and recovering Jeanty’s fumble in the first half.
Remaining undefeated in the Fiesta Bowl, the Nittany Lions continue to dominate in the Valley and do not want this to be the last time.
“8-0 in Fiesta Bowls,” Franklin said. “Penn State loves the Fiesta Bowl. We’ll come (here) every year.”
