2024 Fiesta Bowl (December)
{{Short description|College Football Playoff Quarterfinal bowl game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}{{Infobox NCAA football yearly game
| game_name = Fiesta Bowl
| subheader = College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
54th Fiesta Bowl
| title_sponsor = Vrbo
| image = 2024 Fiesta Bowl IMG 1517.jpg
| caption =
| date_game_played = December 31
| year_game_played = 2024
| football_season = 2024
| stadium = State Farm Stadium
| city = Glendale, Arizona
| visitor_school = Pennsylvania State
| visitor_name_short = Penn State
| visitor_nickname = Nittany Lions
| visitor_record = 12–2
| visitor_conference = Big Ten
| visitor_rank_AP = 5
| visitor_rank_coaches = 5
| visitor_rank_CFP = 4
| visitor_coach = James Franklin
| visitor_1q = 14
| visitor_2q = 3
| visitor_3q = 7
| visitor_4q = 7
| home_school = Boise State University
| home_name_short = Boise State
| home_nickname = Broncos
| home_record = 12–1
| home_conference = Mountain West
| home_rank_AP = 8
| home_rank_coaches = 8
| home_rank_CFP = 9
| home_coach = Spencer Danielson
| home_1q = 0
| home_2q = 7
| home_3q = 7
| home_4q = 0
| MVP = Off.:Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
Def.:Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State){{cite news |url=https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/penn-state-safety-zakee-wheatley-tight-end-tyler-warren-earn-mvp-honors-at-2024-fiesta-bowl/ |title=Zakee Wheatley and Tyler Warren take home MVP honors in Fiesta Bowl following Penn State's win over Boise State |first=Ryan |last=Snyder |website=on3.com |date=January 1, 2025 |accessdate=January 1, 2025}}
| odds = Penn State by 11.5
| anthem =Valley Youth Theatre Choir
| halftime =Penn State Blue Band
Blue Thunder Marching Band
| referee = Steve Marlowe (SEC){{cite web|url=https://www.footballzebras.com/2024/12/2024-25-bowl-officiating-assignments/|title=2024-25 bowl officiating assignments|website=footballzebras.com|first=Ben|last=Austro|date=December 9, 2024|access-date=December 10, 2024}}
| attendance = 63,854
| payout =
| us_network = ESPN
| us_announcers = Bob Wischusen (play-by-play)
Louis Riddick (analyst)
Kris Budden (sideline)
Tom Luginbill (sideline)
| ratings =
| intl_network =
| intl_announcers =
| different_previous = 2024 (Jan.)
}}
The 2024 Fiesta Bowl was a college football bowl game that was played on December 31, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The 54th annual Fiesta Bowl featured Boise State and Penn State, and was one of the 2024–25 bowl games concluding the 2024 FBS football season. It was also one of the College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal games, beginning at approximately 5:30 p.m. MST and airing on ESPN.{{cite web |last1=Cobb |first1=David |title=2024-25 college football bowl schedule, games, dates, locations, kickoff times, TV channels |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2024-25-college-football-bowl-schedule-games-dates-locations-kickoff-times-tv-channels/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=28 June 2024}}{{cite web |title=College Football Playoff announces Fiesta Bowl kickoff time for 2024 quarterfinals |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/3548696/college-football-playoff-schedule-2024-fiesta-bowl-kickoff-time-set/ |website=Arizona Sports |access-date=28 June 2024}} Sponsored by online vacation rental marketplace Vrbo, the game was officially known as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
Background
The 2024 Fiesta Bowl was the first-ever quarterfinal game for the College Football Playoff (CFP).{{cite web |first=Bailey|last=Leasure|title=No. 3 seed Boise State selected to play in Fiesta Bowl in CFP quarterfinal|url=https://arizonasports.com/story/3566924/boise-state-fiesta-bowl-cfp/|website=ArizonaSports.com|date=December 8, 2024|access-date=December 9, 2024}} Boise State, being the ninth-ranked team in the final CFP rankings and winning their conference championship game, received a bye in the CFP's new 12-team format and was selected to play in the bowl game as the third seed in the CFP playoff. The playoff's 11th seed, SMU (ranked 10th in the final CFP poll), and sixth seed, Penn State (ranked fourth in the final CFP poll), met on December 21 for the other spot in the Fiesta Bowl,{{cite web|first=Shaun|last=Goodwin|title=What to know about Penn State, SMU. The Broncos will face one of them in Fiesta Bowl|url=https://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/college/mountain-west/boise-state-university/boise-state-football/article296772294.html|website=Idaho Statesman|date=December 8, 2024|access-date=December 9, 2024}} with Penn State winning by a score of 38–10.{{cite news |url=https://www.ncaa.com/live-updates/football/fbs/penn-state-controls-smu-wins-38-10-cfp-first-round-matchup |title=Penn State controls SMU, wins 38-10 in CFP first round matchup |website=NCAA.com |date=December 21, 2024 |accessdate=December 21, 2024}}
This was the first-ever meeting between the Nittany Lions and the Broncos.{{cite web |title=Boise State Broncos vs. Penn State Nittany Lions football series history |url=https://www.winsipedia.com/boise-state/vs/penn-state |accessdate=December 9, 2024 |website=winsipedia.com}} Penn State defeated Boise State and advanced to the semifinal round at the Orange Bowl, to face the winner of the Sugar Bowl.{{cite web |title=CFP_2024-25_STANDARDIZED_BRACKET 12.08.24 KC-NEW|url=https://collegefootballplayoff.com/documents/2024/12/8/CFP_2024-25_STANDARDIZED_BRACKET_12.08.24_KC-NEW.pdf|website=collegefootballplayoff.com |access-date=December 9, 2024}}
{{3TeamBracket
| RD1=First round
| RD2=Fiesta Bowl
|RD1-seed1 = 11
|RD1-team1 = SMU
|RD1-score1 = 10
|RD1-seed2 = 6
|RD1-team2 = Penn State
|RD1-score2 = 38
|RD2-seed1 = 3
|RD2-team1 = Boise State
|RD2-score1 =14
|RD2-seed2 = 6
|RD2-team2 = Penn State
|RD2-score2 =31
}}
Teams
This was the first meeting between Penn State and Boise State. Both teams had previously appeared in multiple Fiesta Bowls, with undefeated records: Boise State was 3–0 in prior appearances, most recently the December 2014 edition,{{cite web |first=Jenna|last=Ortiz|title=Boise State selected to play in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl with potential Penn State matchup next|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/2024/12/08/boise-state-vrbo-fiesta-bowl-cfp/76850990007/|website=The Arizona Republic|date=December 8, 2024|access-date=December 9, 2024}} while Penn State was 7–0 in prior appearances, most recently the December 2017 edition.
=Boise State Broncos=
{{main|2024 Boise State Broncos football team}}
Boise State earned a first-round bye in the playoff as the Mountain West Conference champions. The Broncos entered with a 12–1 record (7–0 in conference); their only loss was to Oregon on September 7.{{cite web |first1=Shaun|last1=Goodwin|first2=Jim|last2=Keyser|title=Boise State has Mountain West title, playoff berth...|url=https://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/college/mountain-west/boise-state-university/boise-state-football/article296710084.html|website=Idaho Statesman|date=December 7, 2024|access-date=December 9, 2024}}
=Penn State Nittany Lions=
{{main|2024 Penn State Nittany Lions football team}}
Penn State compiled an 11–1 record (8–1 in conference) during the regular season, losing only to Ohio State. The Nittany Lions qualified for the Big Ten Championship Game, which they fell to top-ranked Oregon 45–37. Penn State was then selected to compete in the CFP playoff; ranked fourth in the final CFP rankings, they received the sixth seed in the playoff bracket. Facing SMU in a first-round game, Penn State took a 28–0 lead into halftime en route to a 38–10 victory.{{cite news |url=https://gopsusports.com/news/2024/12/21/no-6-seed-penn-state-football-advances-to-cfp-quarterfinal-with-38-10-win-over-no-11-seed-smu |title=No. 6 Seed Penn State Football Advances to CFP Quarterfinal with 38-10 Win Over No. 11 Seed SMU |website=gopsusports.com |date=December 21, 2024 |accessdate=December 21, 2024}} The Nittany Lions entered the Fiesta Bowl with a 12–2 record.
Game summary
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle= background:#EE3A43; color:#FFFFFF; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFE11A|2px}}; text-align:center;
|state=autocollapse
|bg=#fff
|bg2=#eee
|title=College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
|date=Tuesday, December 31, 2024
|time=5:40 p.m. MST
|road= No. 4 Penn State
|R1=14|R2=3|R3=7|R4=7
|home= No. 9 Boise State
|H1=0|H2=7|H3=7|H4=0
|stadium= State Farm Stadium • Glendale, Arizona
|attendance= 63,854
|weather=n/a (retractable roof closed)
|referee=Steve Marlowe
|TV=ESPN
|TVAnnouncers=Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), Kris Budden and Tom Luginbill (sideline)
|reference=[https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401677181 ESPN Box score]
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart |VisitorName=Penn State |HomeName=Boise State |state=}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=1
| Time=6:40
| Team=Penn State
| DrivePlays=9
| DriveLength=72
| DriveTime=4:01
| Type=RecTD
| Receiver=Tyler Warren
| QB=Drew Allar
| yards=11
| Kicker=Ryan Barker
| kickresult=good
| Visitor=7
| Home=0
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=1
| Time=3:35
| Team=Penn State
| DrivePlays=4
| DriveLength=56
| DriveTime=1:21
| Type=RecTD
| Receiver=Omari Evans
| QB=Drew Allar
| yards=38
| Kicker=Ryan Barker
| kickresult=good
| Visitor=14
| Home=0
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=2
| Time=8:41
| Team=Boise State
| DrivePlays=8
| DriveLength=52
| DriveTime=4:21
| Type=RushTD
| Runner=Tyler Crowe
| yards=8
| Kicker=Jonah Dalmas
| kickresult=good
| Visitor=14
| Home=7
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=2
| Time=0:00
| Team=Penn State
| DrivePlays=9
| DriveLength=41
| DriveTime=1:01
| Type=FG
| yards=40
| Kicker=Ryan Barker
| Visitor=17
| Home=7
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=3
| Time=11:38
| Team=Boise State
| DrivePlays=5
| DriveLength=83
| DriveTime=2:28
| Type=RecTD
| Receiver=Matt Lauter
| QB=Maddux Madsen
| yards=53
| Kicker=Jonah Dalmas
| kickresult=good
| Visitor=17
| Home=14
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=3
| Time=7:22
| Team=Penn State
| DrivePlays=11
| DriveLength=75
| DriveTime=4:16
| Type=RecTD
| Receiver=Tyler Warren
| QB=Drew Allar
| yards=13
| Kicker=Ryan Barker
| kickresult=good
| Visitor=24
| Home=14
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=4
| Time=4:54
| Team=Penn State
| DrivePlays=7
| DriveLength=79
| DriveTime=4:26
| Type=RushTD
| Runner=Nicholas Singleton
| yards=58
| Kicker=Ryan Barker
| kickresult=good
| Visitor=31
| Home=14
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd |Visitor=31|Home=14}}
=Statistics=
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
| class="wikitable"
|+Team statistical comparison{{cite web |title=(6) Penn State vs. (3) Boise State - Stat feed |url=https://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=560442 |website=Statbroadcast.com |access-date=January 1, 2025 |date=December 31, 2024}} | ||
| Statistic
!style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Penn State Nittany Lions|color=white}}"|Penn State !style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Boise State Broncos|color=white}}"|Boise State | ||
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 21 | 25 |
| First downs rushing | 10 | 7 |
| First downs passing | 8 | 14 |
| First downs penalty | 3 | 4 |
| Third down efficiency | 5–13 | 8–15 |
| Fourth down efficiency | 0–0 | 0–1 |
| Total plays–net yards | 66–387 | 75–412 |
| Rushing attempts–net yards | 41–216 | 40–108 |
| Yards per rush | 5.3 | 2.7 |
| Yards passing | 171 | 304 |
| Pass completions–attempts | 13–25 | 23–35 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 3 |
| Punt returns–total yards | 0–0 | 1–19 |
| Kickoff returns–total yards | 0–0 | 2–30 |
| Punts–average yardage | 6–47.2 | 4–40.8 |
| Fumbles–lost | 1–1 | 2–1 |
| Penalties–yards | 10–98 | 13–90 |
| Time of possession | 25:56 | 34:04 |
{{col-3}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Penn State statistics{{cite web |title=Penn State vs. Boise State (Dec 31, 2024) - Play-by-play |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay/_/gameId/401677181 |website=ESPN |access-date=January 1, 2025 |language=en |date=December 31, 2024}} | |||
| colspan="6" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Penn State Nittany Lions|color=white}}"|Nittany Lions passing | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| scope="col"|
!scope="col"|{{abbr|C–A|Completions–Attempts}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|TD–INT|Passing touchdowns–Interceptions thrown}} | |||
| Drew Allar | 13–25 | 171 | 3–0 |
| colspan="6" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Penn State Nittany Lions|color=white}}"|Nittany Lions rushing | |||
| scope="col"|
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Car|Carries}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | |||
| Kaytron Allen | 17 | 134 | 0 |
| Nicholas Singleton | 12 | 87 | 1 |
| TEAM | 1 | −1 | 0 |
| Drew Allar | 11 | −4 | 0 |
| colspan="6" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Penn State Nittany Lions|color=white}}"|Nittany Lions receiving | |||
| scope="col"|
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} | |||
| Tyler Warren | 6 | 63 | 2 |
| Omari Evans | 2 | 55 | 1 |
| Harrison Wallace III | 3 | 37 | 0 |
| Luke Reynolds | 2 | 16 | 0 |
{{col-3}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" | |||
| colspan="6" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Boise State Broncos|color=white}}"|Broncos passing | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| scope="col"|
!scope="col"|{{abbr|C–A|Completions–Attempts}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|TD–INT|Passing touchdowns–Interceptions thrown}} | |||
| Maddux Madsen | 23–35 | 304 | 1–3 |
| colspan="6" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Boise State Broncos|color=white}}"|Broncos rushing | |||
| scope="col"|
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Car|Carries}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | |||
| Ashton Jeanty | 30 | 104 | 0 |
| Tyler Crowe | 1 | 8 | 1 |
| Jambres Dubar | 2 | −1 | 0 |
| Maddux Madsen | 7 | −3 | 0 |
| colspan="6" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Boise State Broncos|color=white}}"|Broncos receiving | |||
| scope="col"|
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !scope="col"|{{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} | |||
| Matt Lauter | 4 | 96 | 1 |
| Cameron Camper | 3 | 66 | 0 |
| Prince Strachan | 4 | 40 | 0 |
| Latrell Caples | 4 | 30 | 0 |
| Matt Wagner | 2 | 24 | 0 |
| Ashton Jeanty | 3 | 22 | 0 |
| Austin Bolt | 2 | 14 | 0 |
| Ben Ford | 1 | 12 | 0 |
{{col-end}}
{{clear}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- Game statistics at [http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/index.html?id=560442 statbroadcast.com]
{{2024 bowl game navbox}}
{{Fiesta Bowl navbox}}
{{College Football Playoff navbox}}
{{Boise State Broncos bowl game navbox}}
{{Penn State Nittany Lions bowl game navbox}}
Category:Boise State Broncos football bowl games