Link To Youtube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/live/G8JL6ldee-Y?si=NEQ9rrOP9v_gg5Id
Link To Audio Episode: https://www.feotbpod.org/episodes/season/2/
Fiesta Bowl Recap: Boise State vs. Penn State
The move to a 12-team College Football Playoff bracket promised more competition, but the adjustment period has left some fans wanting. Last week’s home wins and lopsided scores frustrated viewers, reminding us that talent and depth reign supreme in football—perhaps even more than in college basketball.
In our preview blog yesterday, we predicted this matchup would heavily favor the Nittany Lions, and unfortunately for Boise State fans, the game’s outcome unfolded even faster than anticipated. Penn State wasted no time asserting dominance, with Tyler Warren continuing his incredible season by catching an 11-yard touchdown from Drew Allar.
Ashton Jeanty, the heart of Boise State’s offense, tried to respond, but his fumble set up Penn State’s offense with a short field. Two plays later, Allar connected with Omari Evans for a 38-yard touchdown. By the end of the first quarter, Penn State had gained over 100 yards on 13 plays in just five minutes, taking a commanding lead.
Boise State showed grit, responding with a nearly 10-yard fullback dive for a touchdown to cut the lead in half. Both defenses tightened up for the remainder of the half. Abdul Carter and the Penn State defense held Jeanty in check with an 8-man defensive front, while Penn State’s offense added a field goal, taking a 17-7 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the break, Boise staged another rally with an 83-yard drive capped off by a 53-yard TD pass from Maddux Madsen to Matt Lauter. At 17-14, the Broncos had a chance—if they could get a defensive stop.
But depth became the deciding factor. Penn State’s talent advantage wore Boise down. Allar and Warren connected for their second touchdown from 13 yards out. Nicolas Singleton delivered the final blow late in the fourth quarter, breaking free for a 58-yard touchdown run. The game ended with Penn State victorious, 31-14.
Key Takeaways
Boise’s Struggles: Ashton Jeanty, Boise’s star running back, posted 104 yards on 30 carries but was held to just 3.5 yards per attempt. The Penn State defense’s scheme forced Boise to rely on Madsen, who couldn’t rise to the occasion.
Penn State’s Promise and Flaws: Drew Allar finished with three touchdowns and no turnovers, and Tyler Warren further cemented his status as one of the nation’s top players. However, Penn State’s performance questions their readiness to contend for a title.
The Nittany Lions have talent, but to avoid elimination in the semifinals, they must maximize their potential in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for our continued coverage of the College Football Playoff as we break down the matchups ahead!
