The final college football game of 2024 will determine the first semifinal participant in the College Football Playoff.
Date: Dec. 31 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN | Line: Penn State -11 | Total: 54
The Nittany Lions dominated SMU in the first round of the playoff with three first-half interceptions, two of them returned for touchdowns. The Broncos are the Mountain West Conference champions and enter the game on an 11-game win streak. Their only loss of the season came to Oregon in Week 2.
It’s unlikely that Boise State is going to turn the ball over like SMU did in the first round, but it still has a tall task in moving the ball against PSU. The Nittany Lions have allowed just 1,405 rushing yards all season and opponents are averaging 3.1 yards a carry. Boise State averages 6.8 yards a carry as a team. It’s trite to say that slowing down Jeanty is imperative for Penn State, but it’s also the truth. Maddux Madsen has played well in 2024, but forcing him to win the game is Penn State’s best option.
Live13 updates
BSU forced to punt
The Broncos couldn’t move the ball at all on the ensuing possession and punt it over to Penn State.
The Nittany Lions will have it back with good field position at their own 45.
Touchdown Penn State!
Who else but Tyler Warren to find the end zone first in the Fiesta Bowl? The star tight end found open space in the back corner of the end zone on a deep and Drew Allar put it right on the button for the first TD of the game.
PSU 7, BSU 0
PSU nearing red zone
The Nittany Lions are moving the ball with ease on the ground during their first drive of the game. A long Kaytron Allen run has them on the edge of the red zone.
PSU blocks BSU field goal
Boise State’s drive fizzled out just inside the 30-yard line and kicker Jonah Dalmas’ 45-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
Boise State on the march
The Broncos are out over midfield already after two quick first downs. Penn State is stacking the box in an effort to slow down star RB Ashton Jeanty and QB Maddux Madsen is finding his mark downfield.
Boise State will start with the ball
We are underway in the Fiesta Bowl!
An unfortunate moment as the Boise State team ran onto the field:
What the College Football Playoff bracket looks like
The first College Football Playoff quarterfinal is the last game of 2024. (Hassan Ahmad/Yahoo Sports)
College Football Playoff players to watch, key to the Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 3 Boise State
Click the photo above to read the story. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Viewer’s guide to the new College Football Playoff
Click the photo above to read the story. (Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports)
Four Verts, CFP edition: NFL Draft’s best overall prospect might be Ashton Jeanty, plus under-the-radar players
Click the photo above to read the story. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Good evening folks and welcome to our live tracker for the first College Football Playoff quarterfinal game between Boise State and Penn State!
We still have about 45 minutes until kickoff, so here’s some light reading material to get you ready for the action.
