Penn State dialed up another win in the desert to move to 8-0 in the Fiesta Bowl and advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals with a 31-17 win over Boise State Tuesday night.
PSU got the ball rolling in a big way scoring on its first two possessions while thwarting anything Boise State tried to do.
It was not a completely flawless night for Penn State. Abdul Carter, Jaylen Reed and Dani Dennis-Sutton all left the game at different points with injuries.
More from the game …
SMOTHERING DEFENSE
Ashton Jeanty has been known for his yards after contact and ability to rush the football. Against the Penn State front, Jeanty had nothing going for him, often getting hit in the backfield by multiple Penn State defenders.
To Penn Stateโs credit, it was smothering in the running game and had its best performance tackling on the season.
Jeanty finished with 104 yards on 30 carries for a 3.4 yard per carry average, but the defensive front played a superb game without Carter for most of it to limit Jeanty’s damage.
In the secondary, Zakee Wheatley had an interception, fumble recovery and three tackles in the game.
DIALING IT DEEP
Penn State fell in love with the deep ball early in the contest and at times it paid off, especially on a 38-yard touchdown reception by Omari Evans.
Drew Allar strike to Omari Evans
Boise is in trouble pic.twitter.com/3Frbof6GKD
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They had plenty of opportunities and Allar put a lot of balls where they needed to be, but they were either dropped, well-defended or called back. His two touchdowns to Tyler Warren were absolute dimes and put in perfect spots, as was his touchdown to Evans.
Penn State was the better team along the perimeter, but it was even better team between the tackles.
RUN, RUN
Jeanty is the best running back in the country but the best running back duo belongs to Penn State in Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton.
Allen and Singleton averaged 7.9 and 7.3 yards per carry respectively with Allen running for 134 yards on the night. Singleton added 87 yards and a touchdown.
Penn State rushed for 216 total yards and dominated in the trenches throughout the contest.
BONUS: SURVIVE AND ADVANCE
Allar played a solid game as did Boise State’s Maddux Madsen, who ultimately fell short in the game. Allar tossed 171 yards and three touchdowns and could have had many more had a few things bounced his way.
Regardless, Allar and his Penn State teammates live to play another day and will be playing in the Orange Bowl next Thursday against the winner of Notre Dame and Georgia.
It was far from pretty and could’ve gotten out of hand early in the contest, but Boise State made it difficult and was in it for most of the game.
The hope for Penn State is that it can be close to full strength in the Orange Bowl. It will have nine days to rest and prepare.
