The 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl brought thrilling action to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as the #6 Penn State Nittany Lions faced the #3 Boise State Broncos in the Quarterfinals of the College Football Playoffs. Both teams entered the game with much at stake, including Penn State's elite defense and Boise State's record-breaking running back, Ashton Jeanty. The evening promised a battle of wills, and fans were not disappointed.

The QuarterFinals of the College Football Playoffs kicked off on New Year’s Eve at State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona. The #6 seeded Penn State Nittany Lions took on the 3rd seed, Boise State Broncos, led by the best running back in all of college football, Ashton Jeanty.

Penn State won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. They elected to put their defense on the field and stop Jeanty from getting off to a hot start.

And for the most part of the first drive, the Nittany Lions defense did their job. The Broncos found themselves with a 4th and 2 from the 28 yard line, and opted to go for the field goal. But the 45 yard attempt was missed, wide left by Jonah Dalmas.

Penn State would take over on their own 28 with 10:41 remaining in the opening quarter. And with all of the pre-game hype for the Boise State offensive line and running game, the Nittany Lions came out and enforced their will with the rushing attack, led by Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

After using the rushing attack to get into the red zone, Penn State’s quarterback, Drew Allar found his tight end, Tyler Warren in the back right of the end zone for the 11 yard score. Penn State takes a 7-0 lead over Boise State with 6:40 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Penn State defense continued their dominance in the early frame, forcing a three and out after Dani Dennis-Sutton sacked Maddux Madson on a third and long. Not exactly the start the Broncos were looking to have to begin the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. Penn State would start their drive on their own 45 after a fair catch on the following punt.

On 1st and 10 from the Boise State 38, Allar found Omari Evans for a 38 yard touchdown strike, giving Penn State a 14-0 lead with just under 4 minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

ON the ensuing drive, Penn State forced a fumble by Ashton Jeanty (forced by Kobe King) and the Nittany Lions got the ball back on their own 49 yard line.

But on the second play for the Nittany Lions, Boise State’s defense came up with a big recovery after Allar fumbled for Penn State, Seyi Oladipo recovered the ball.

At the end of the first quarter, it was all Penn State, leading the Boise State Broncos 14-0.

Penn State would force another Boise State punt after another failed third down and long for the Broncos. Penn State would take over on their own 10 yard line to start their drive.

Boise State would force a much needed three and out for Penn State and they got the ball after the punt on their own 48 after a solid 19 yard return by Cooper Jones.

The Broncos made it into the red zone once again, mostly behind their star running back, Ashton Jeanty. On third and two from the 8-yard line, Tyler Crowe would find pay dirt with an 8-yard touchdown run up the middle to cut the Penn State lead in half. The score game Boise State renewed faith with just over 8 minutes remaining in the first quarter.

After a touchback on the ensuing kickoff, Penn State would start their drive on their own 25.

Boise State would force another punt after Penn State’s offense failed to get anything going. The big play on that series for Boise State was a Ahmen Hassanein (12-yard loss).

The Broncos started their next drive on their own 39 yard line. But Penn State would force a quick three and out by Boise State offense. The Nittany Lions would start their next drive on their own 21 with 4:18 remaining in the half.

The Penn State offense found themselves behind the mark multiple times on their next drive due to personal fouls and holding penalties. Boise State would force a punt and get the ball back with just under two minutes remaining in the first half. They would get the ball on their own 25 after a 63 yard punt by Penn State found its way into the end zone.

Penn State would get the ball back with about a minute remaining in the half after keeping the Broncos offense from doing anything with their opportunity. They got the ball on their own 37 yard line after the punt and fair catch.

The Nittany Lions would push the ball down the field and manage a last second field goal attempt by Ryan Barker (40 yards) to take the lead into halftime, 17-7, over the Boise State Broncos.

Penn State will receive the ball to begin the second half.

Needing a strong start to the second half by the Broncos defense, they would force a quick three and out for the Nittany Lions offense. Boise State would get the ball after the punt after a fair catch on their own 16 yard line.

After getting a couple first downs through the air, Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen would find a WIDE OPEN Matt Lauter for the 53 yard touchdown down the left sideline. After the successful PAT, the Broncos would pull to within 17-14 of Penn State with 11:38 remaining in the third quarter.

Penn State would start their next drive on 25 yard line. After an initial first down, they would get a big first down run by Kaytron Allen (23 yards) to put them into Boise State territory to the 43 yard line.

Nittany Lions answered with a big drive, capped off with an Allar to Warren touchdown on a 13-yard strike in the back of the end zone. PSU extended their lead over Boise State 24-14 after a successful PAT.

After a touchback on the kickoff, Boise State started their next drive on their own 25 yard line.

After driving into Penn State territory, Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen would throw an interception (Zakee Wheatley) which was returned by Penn State but a personal foul by the Nittany Lions would start their drive back on their own 7 yard line with 14:48 remaining in the game and a ten point lead.

The Broncos defense would force a quick three and out, and get the ball back after the punt and fair catch on their own 24 yard line.

Down ten points and the clock ticking away, it was imperative that the Broncos get some points on this drive. Unfortunately, after stalling on their drive inside Penn State territory, Boise State would not get any points after a missed 38 yard field goal attempt by Jonah Dalmas. Penn State took over on their own 28 yard line with 9:20 remaining in the game.

Badly needing a quick stop and punt to have a shot at coming back, the Boise State defense failed to stop the Penn State rushing attack. Nicholas Singleton capped off the Penn State drive with a 58 yard touchdown run up the middle (his longest run of the season), giving the Nittany Lions a commanding lead over Boise State 31-14 with 4:54 remaining in the game.

Trying to find some sort of hope, the Boise State offense took the field, but just a few plays into the drive, Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen threw another interception (Zion Tracy), and Penn State took over on the Boise State side of the field on the 45 yard line with just under four minutes remaining.

In a final effort to finish the game strong, Maddux Madsen would put the final nail in his team’s coffin with another interception to essentially end the game and give Penn State the 31-14 win.

The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl showcased the grit and determination of Penn State's defense and the resilience of Boise State's offense. Despite standout moments from Ashton Jeanty, the Nittany Lions emerged victorious, advancing to the semifinals with a commanding 31-14 win. With Notre Dame or Georgia awaiting them, Penn State proved they are a formidable force in this year’s College Football Playoffs.