Penn State Advances to College Football Playoff Semifinals

In the College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl, No. 6 Penn State defeated No. 3 Boise State 31-14, overcoming an early 14-point deficit. Penn State's head coach James Franklin praised his team's defensive performance, particularly against Boise State's standout running back Ashton Jeanty, who finished with 104 yards, falling short of breaking Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record. Boise State's head coach Spencer Danielson expressed pride in his team's resilience throughout the season, which marked their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Despite the loss, Jeanty's remarkable season included 2,601 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns, earning him a Heisman Trophy runner-up spot. The victory propels Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they will face either No. 2 Georgia or No. 7 Notre Dame. This matchup highlighted the contrasting trajectories of both programs, with Penn State advancing and Boise State reflecting on a historic yet challenging season.