On December 31, the Boise State Broncos (12-1) are gearing up for their fourth appearance in the prestigious Fiesta Bowl, where they will face off against the No. 6-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions (12-2). After earning a first-round bye, Boise State looks to continue its dominant run, while Penn State comes off a commanding 38-10 victory over SMU at home in Happy Valley.
The Fiesta Bowl has become a familiar battleground for Boise State, with an undefeated 3-0 record in the game. Their most iconic moment came in 2007 when they pulled off one of the most thrilling upsets in bowl history against the Oklahoma Sooners. The Broncos led for most of the game, only to see Oklahoma take a 35-28 lead with just a minute remaining. That’s when Boise State unleashed their secret weapon: a series of creative, “gimmick” plays— the Hook and Ladder, Halfback Pass, and Statue of Liberty— to snatch an unforgettable victory.
Boise State vs. Penn State, 2024 Fiesta Bowl: Key Matchup
The spotlight of this year’s Fiesta Bowl will be on Boise State’s sensational running back, Ashton Jeanty, as he faces off against Penn State’s vaunted rushing defense. The Nittany Lions have been exceptional at stopping the run, allowing fewer than 100 yards per game on the ground. However, Jeanty is a force to be reckoned with, having already rushed for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns, and he’s only 131 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders’ legendary single-season rushing record from 1988.
Both teams boast elite defenses, with Penn State returning two interceptions for touchdowns in their win over SMU. But Boise State’s pass rush is just as intimidating, ranking No. 2 in the nation for sacks with nearly four per game. This spells trouble for Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, who has had issues with turnovers this season. Allar threw three interceptions in a tight win over USC and two more in a loss to Oregon in the conference championship.
In contrast, Boise State’s quarterback, Maddux Madsen, has been remarkably consistent, passing for over 2,700 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. Over the past nine games, Madsen has thrown only one interception, helping lead the Broncos to an 11-game winning streak.
The Path to Victory for Boise State
Boise State’s chances hinge on their ability to disrupt Allar and keep the passing game from becoming a factor. If the Broncos can pressure the Nittany Lions’ quarterback into mistakes and force Penn State to become one-dimensional, they could be poised for another memorable Fiesta Bowl victory.
This game is set to be a clash of titans, where Boise State’s defensive power and Jeanty’s record-breaking potential could prove too much for the Nittany Lions. Don’t miss this thrilling showdown as the Broncos aim to add another chapter to their legendary Fiesta Bowl legacy.
