To seize everything you wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?" - Eminem
Mountain West champions. A single loss on the season and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. When the Boise State Broncos take the field in the Fiesta Bowl on December 31, 2024, they certainly do not want to waste their shot.
This New Year's Eve, third seed Boise State (12-1) has a chance to prove the naysayers and detractors wrong. A chance to keep the program's storied Fiesta Bowl tradition alive. Most importantly, an opportunity to win and advance to the CFP semifinals.
On the opposite sidelines is a Penn State Nittany Lions (12-2) team looking to make waves of their own. With the sixth seed, Penn State has one CFP game under their belt, a 38-10 win over the SMU Mustangs in the first round.
This will be the first ever meeting between the two storied programs.
Boise State Broncos
By time kickoff happens on Tuesday, the Broncos will have had nearly four weeks off to recharge and refresh. Consider that a win right off the bat, especially for Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty.
Jeanty, winning awards left and right as the nation's top running back, had a record-setting junior season. And with a fully healthy offensive line in front of him, Jeanty will carry Boise State as far as they can go.
With 2,497 rushing yards, Jeanty is still chasing the single season rushing record set by Barry Sanders. Jeanty added 29 rushing touchdowns, failing to find the end zone in only one game this season. This season, Jeanty has six games with 200+ yards and eight games with at least one carry of 60+ yards.
The junior also added 20 receptions for 116 yards and a score. While not utilized in the passing game as often this season, it is still an aspect I see coming into play against Penn State. Plus, Boise State should have their full crew of running backs available to spell Jeanty as needed.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen is enjoying a fine season (2,714 yards and 22 touchdowns), though at times struggles with completion percentage (62 percent) and locking in on one receiver. However, Madsen has the intangibles needed to lead this Boise State team. Emphasis by Penn State will be on stopping Jeanty and Madsen will need to be at his best.
Madsen takes care of the ball (only three interceptions), and Boise State allowed only 12 sacks all season. The Broncos will be facing one of the better defenses they've seen this season.
There is no real one star among the Boise State wideouts but Cameron Camper is close. Camper leads the team in receptions (55) and yards (837), plus has four touchdowns. Tight end Matt Lauter had a productive season for the Broncos, hauling in 43 catches, 523 yards, and six touchdowns. Add Latrell Caples (34 receptions, 443 yards, five touchdowns) and Boise State has a nice trio at the top.
A second trio is also productive, where Austin Bolt, Prince Strachan, and Chase Penry combined for 49 catches, 610 yards, and five touchdowns.
On defense, Boise State has been short of spectacular in many areas, but overall, is doing the things needed to win. Plus, it is unit that has improved each week and is healthy heading into the Fiesta Bowl.
The secondary, while at times over the season prone to a deep ball or two, has been fantastic in run support and pressure. Ty Benefield leads the team with 73 tackles (plus two interceptions). Seyi Oladipo has 63 tackles, tied with Zion Washington, and added 6.5 sacks. Alexander Teubner, a leader of the unit, is set to return from injury after posting 49 tackles in nine games.
Jayden Virgin-Morgan leads the team with 10 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. Ahmed Hassanein was right there with 8.5 sacks (12.5 tackles for loss), and linebacker Andrew Simpson also contributed 10.5 tackles for loss
Boise State has 51 sacks this season and seven interceptions. The team allows 21.9 points, 115 rushing yards, and 246.9 passing yards per game. On offense, the Broncos put up 39 points, 250.5 rushing yards, and 219.6 passing yards per contest.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State used a game of ball control and an excellent effort on defense in their victory over SMU. Two defensive touchdowns on interception returns by linebackers Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas helped carry the Nittany Lions.
Against SMU, Penn State had three interceptions and held the Mustangs to 58 rushing yards on 36 carries.
In only losing twice, to CFP teams Oregon (45-37) and Ohio State (20-13), Penn State averaged 35.4 points per game while allowing only 15.9. In nine of their 14 games, the Nittany Lions held opponents under 20 points.
Penn State, like Boise State, is powered by a strong ground game. The team ran for 2,817 yards this season, powered by a 1-2 punch of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Singleton averages 6.4 yards per carry, on his way to 928 yards and eight touchdowns. Allen has 892 yards and eight touchdowns. Against SMU, the two totaled 160 rushing yards and three scores.
The two are active in the passing game, combining for 56 receptions this season.
Quarterback Drew Allar is in ways similar to Madsen, with slightly better numbers in multiple categories. Allar completed 68.5 percent of pass attempts, throwing for 3,021 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Allar also ran for six scores and nearly 300 yards.
Allar was 13 of 22 for 126 yards in the first round against the Mustangs.
The key cog in the passing game is elite tight end Tyler Warren. Warren has 92 receptions for 1,095 yards and six touchdowns. Wide receiver Harrison Wallace III is an important piece, too, with 43 receptions for 686 yards and four touchdowns.
Warren and Wallace combined for eight catches and 81 yards against SMU.
The Penn State defense has 36 sacks, 15 interceptions, and five fumble recoveries this season. Safety Jaylen Reed has three interceptions and 84 tackles, with linebacker Kobe King close behind with 80 tackles. Defensive end Abdul Carter leads the team with 11 sacks.
DeLuca and Rojas form a nice duo, combining for six interceptions and 82 tackles.
Prediction
A playmaker on each team's offense. Two stout defenses. This game promises to be one of ball control, with possession taking on extra importance.
Penn State has the "big time" pedigree, with a game already under their belt in the playoffs. Boise State might have some rust after time off, but head coach Spencer Danielson always has the Broncos ready to play, no matter what the situation. Gaffes on special teams played a huge part in Boise State's only loss. In this quarterfinal game, they will redeem themselves and propel the Broncos to victory. Boise State 27 Penn State 24
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