Penn State vs Boise State live score updates, highlights, how to ...

The first berth to the College Football Playoff semifinals was secured in The Valley at the Fiesta Bowl.

And it belongs to No. 6 Penn State.

James Franklin and the Nittany Lions defeated No. 3 Boise State 31-14 Tuesday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona — adding another piece of history to their first College Football Playoff appearance in program history. 

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Though it wasn’t the cleanest or smoothest night for the Nittany Lions’ offense, Drew Allar and Co. still made Boise State pay throughout the game. 

That was especially true late in the fourth quarter, as running back Nick Singleton broke off from the Nittany Lions’ 42-yard line for a 58-yard rushing touchdown to seal the win for Penn State.

Another key part of Penn State’s offense was once again star tight end Tyler Warren. The John Mackey Award winner finished with 63 receiving yards and two touchdowns on six receptions on the night, with one of those touchdowns coming on a catch that he had to jump well into the air to reel in.

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Arguably the biggest challenge of the night for Penn State’s defense was dealing with Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty. The Nittany Lions met the challenge, as they held the Heisman Trophy runner-up to just 104 yards on the evening. Penn State’s handling of Jeanty also meant the Broncos running back did not tie or break Barry Sanders’ NCAA single-season rushing record. 

The Nittany Lions will now remain on the road and travel to Miami Gardens, Florida for the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 9. Penn State will play the winner of No. 2 Georgia-No. 7 Notre Dame in the CFP semifinals. 

With that, follow along for a recap of updates, scores and highlights from the Fiesta Bowl between the Nittany Lions and Broncos:

REQUIRED READING: Easy draw for Penn State football in CFP? So what: Why this team can win it all

Penn State vs Boise State score updates

This section will be updated when the game begins.

Next stop: Orange Bowl.

Penn State takes over in the second half to come out with the 31-14 win over Boise State in the CFP quarterfinals. The Nittany Lions improve to 8-0 in the Fiesta Bowl.

Nick Singleton may have provided the dagger Penn State needed in the form of a 58-yard touchdown run, his longest of the year. Nice read by the running back and even better blocking to open up the running lane. That gives Penn State a 31-14 lead with 4:54 remaining.

Boise State advances all the way to the Penn State 11-yard line, but a sack on Madsen by Amin Vanover knocks the Broncos back to the Penn State 28-yard line for a 17-yard loss. Following two ensuing incompletions, the Broncos trot out kicker Jonah Dalmas to attempt a 38-yard field goal. He misses it just wide right, and Penn State's lead remains 24-14 with 9:20 remaining. A Nittany Lions score might seal this.

The Nittany Lions' defense comes up with their second turnover of the night, as Zakee Wheatley intercepts Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen and returns it 28-yard to the Penn State 41-yard line.

However, Wheatley's return was erased due to a personal foul penalty from Dani Dennis-Sutton. Costly moment for Penn State, who continues to hurt itself with self-inflicted penalties. Penn State starts at its 26-yard line.

Penn State responds back by pushing its lead back to 10 points on a 13-yard touchdown between Drew Allar and Tyler Warren in the back of the end zone.

Real impressive catch by the John Mackey Award winner, who now has 63 receiving yards and two touchdowns on six receptions on the night.

Boise State still has no answer for Kaytron Allen.

In a moment where a spark is needed for the Penn State offense, Allen bounces out to the left side and breaks through a tackle for a 23-yard gain to give the Nittany Lions a first-and-10 at the Broncos' 43-yard line.

Boise State is back in the game, as quarterback Maddux Madsen sees Matt Lauter wide open down the left sideline for a 53-yard touchdown pass.

A costly miscommunication for Penn State's defense brings the Nittany Lions' lead to 17-14 with 11:38 remaining in the third quarter.

Drew Allar can't exactly place a third-and-6 throw into the hands of Tyler Warren, as the ball pops out of tight ends' hands. Penn State gives Boise State the ball back with a 54-yard punt from Riley Thompson.

First half: Penn State 17, Boise State 7

The Nittany Lions take a 17-7 lead into the locker room at the Fiesta Bowl against the Broncos after Penn State kicker Ryan Barker hits the 40-yard field goal. Big play of the drive came on a first-and-10 pass to the left sideline that was reeled in by wide receiver Omari Evans for a 17-yard gain.

Penn State is one half away from advancing to its first ever CFP semifinals.

Penn State continues to shoot itself in the foot with a holding penalty, as a hold and face mask on offensive lineman Sal Wormley erase a 50-yard carry from Kaytron Allen and an 11-yard carry from Nick Singleton. It would have been a first-and-10 in the red zone for Penn State if Wormley didn't get called for the hold on Allen's carry.

Though Penn State got help from Boise State to extend its drive, the Nittany Lions don't help themselves out as they are called for two false start penalties and a 12-yard sack on Drew Allar.

The Nittany Lions defense heads back out on the field looking to make a stop. Penn State leads 14-7 with 5:14 remaining in the second quarter.

Penn State is bailed out of a third-and-8 incompletion, as Boise State's Ty Benefield is called for a hold in the Broncos' secondary. 

The drive continues for the Nittany Lions, who now have a first-and-10 at their 37-yard line.

The Broncos are on the board, as full back Tyler Crowe pushes through Penn State's defensive line for the 8-yard rushing touchdown. Penn State heads back out on offense with a 14-7 lead in the second quarter.

Allar and Co. try to break out a trick play on third-and-3 from the 17-yard line, but it gets snuffed out quickly. The Nittany Lions punt the ball 58 yards, but an 18-yard return gives the Broncos the ball great field position near midfield. Defense will need to stand strong again here.

The Nittany Lions bow up on defense, allowing only 17 yards before forcing a punt to get the ball back. They'll take over at their 10-yard line.

A poor handoff between Allar and Nick Singleton on the zone read results in the ball hitting the turf, and Boise State was perfectly positioned to jump on it. The Broncos will take over at their own 35-yard line.

Just as it looked Jeanty was getting going with some nice runs, he fumbles the ball on a tackle by Kobe King. The ball pops out, right into the waiting hands of Zakee Wheatley along the sideline. Penn State gets the ball back with great field position!

Penn State wastes no time on its second drive, driving 56 yards in four plays for another touchdown. It's punctuated with a 38-yard touchdown connection from Allar to Omari Evans, who got behind the defender and made a beautiful over-the-shoulder catch. Nittany Lions lead 14-0 with 3:35 left to play in the first quarter.

It's a three-and-out for Boise State, as Dani Dennis-Sutton sacks Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen for a 4-yard loss. Nittany Lions will start at their 45-yard line after a fair catch from Zion Tracy.

The Nittany Lions take advantage of good field position by moving down the field for an opening-drive touchdown. Penn State's score came on an 11-yard touchdown pass to the back of the end zone, from Drew Allar to Tyler Warren.

Boise State had no answer for Penn State's running game with Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton on the nine-play drive, as both combined for 55 rushing yards. Penn State leads 7-0 in the first quarter of the Fiesta Bowl!

Facing a fourth-and-2 at the Penn State 28-yard line, Boise State opts to take the points instead of rolling the dice on fourth down. However, the Broncos' 45-yard field goal attempt from Jonah Dalmas is blocked by Penn State's special teams unit. Nittany Lions get the ball at their 28-yard line.

The Nittany Lions win the coin toss and defer the kickoff to the second half. We are underway in the Fiesta Bowl!

Just a few minutes away from kick off in The Valley between Penn State and Boise State! The Nittany Lions are looking to keep their perfect 7-0 record in the Fiesta Bowl alive.

It appears that Penn State will wear its home blue uniform for Tuesday's CFP quarterfinals game against Boise State.

Hip-hop artist Flavor Flav is in attendance at State Farm Stadium for Tuesday's CFP quarterfinals matchup between Penn State and Boise State, and it looks like he may be rooting for the Nittany Lions.

"This is Flavor Flav with the heavy plate and I just can't wait to get back to Penn State," Flavor Flav, who was the hype man for the U.S. men's and women's water polo team at the Paris Olympics, said in the video.

Drew Allar appears to be locked in for Tuesday's Fiesta Bowl vs. Boise State, as the Nittany Lions and him get off the bus and walk into State Farm Stadium. Allar finished 13 of 22 passing for 127 yards in Penn State's CFP first-round win over No. 11 SMU.

James Franklin has arrived at State Farm Stadium for Tuesday's Fiesta Bowl vs. Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Franklin is 3-2 in New Year's Six bowls in his 11 seasons at Penn State.

The Nittany Lions enter Tuesday's game against Boise State with a 7-0 record in Fiesta Bowl, which is the most wins for Penn State in a New Year's Six bowl game.

Here's a full list of scores of past Fiesta Bowl games that Penn State has competed in:

• 1977: Penn State 42, Arizona State 30
• 1980: Penn State 31, Ohio State 19
• 1982: Penn State 26, USC 10
• 1987: Penn State 14, Miami 10
• 1992: Penn State 42, Tennessee 17
• 1997: Penn State 38, Texas 15
• 2017: Penn State 35, Washington 28

Penn State vs Boise State time today

• Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)

What channel is Penn State vs Boise State game on today?

Penn State vs. Boise State will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Bob Wischusen, Louis Riddick and Kris Budden will be on the call. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a cable login) and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial to new subscriber

Penn State vs Boise State history

• Series record: N/A

Penn State and Boise State have never played before, with Tuesday's meeting being the first between the two programs. The Nittany Lions are 5-0 all time vs. current Mountain West Conference opponents.

REQUIRED READING: Who needs offense? Not Penn State football in CFP as defense outscores SMU

Penn State vs Boise State predictions

• CBS Sports: 7 of 7 writers pick Penn State straight up | 4 of 7 pick Penn State (-11)
• Fox Sports: Penn State 32, Boise State 23

Penn State vs Boise State betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 30

• Spread: Penn State (-11)
• Over/under: 52.5 points
• Moneyline: Penn State (-450) | Boise State (+350)

Penn State vs Boise State injury updates

This section will be updated.

Penn State vs Boise State weather update

According to hourly forecasts for Glendale, Arizona from The Weather Channel, temperatures will be between 60 and 63 degrees around kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. There will be zero chance of precipitation, with winds blowing between 1-2 mph.

State Farm Stadium is an indoor stadium and therefore will not be affected by outside weather.

Penn State football 2024 schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 31: at West Virginia (W, 34-12)
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Bowling Green (W, 34-27 win)
• Saturday, Sept. 14: BYE
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Kent State (W, 56-0)
• Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. No. 21 Illinois (W, 21-7) *
• Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. UCLA (W, 27-11) *
• Saturday, Oct. 12: at USC (W, 33-30) (OT) *
• Saturday, Oct. 19: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 26: at Wisconsin (W, 28-13) *
• Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. No. 4 Ohio State (L, 20-13) *
• Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Washington (W, 35-6) *
• Saturday, Nov. 16: at Purdue (W, 49-10) *
• Saturday, Nov. 23: at Minnesota (W, 26-25) *
• Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Maryland (W, 44-7) *
• Saturday, Dec. 7: vs. No. 1 Oregon (Big Ten championship) (L, 45-37)
• Saturday, Dec. 21: vs. No. 11 SMU (CFP first round) ** (W, 38-10)
• Tuesday, Dec. 31: vs. No. 3 Boise State (CFP quarterfinals) **
• Record: 12-2, 8-1 Big Ten

* Denotes Big Ten game

** Denotes CFP bracket seeding

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Boise State football 2024 schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 31: at Georgia Southern (W, 56-45)
• Saturday, Sept. 7: at No. 7 Oregon (L, 37-34)
• Saturday, Sept. 14: BYE
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Portland State (W, 56-14)
• Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. Washington State (W, 45-24)
• Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. Utah State * (W, 62-30)
• Saturday, Oct. 12: at Hawaii * (W, 28-7)
• Saturday, Oct. 19: BYE
• Friday, Oct. 25: at UNLV * (W, 29-24)
• Friday, Nov. 1: vs. San Diego State * (W, 56-24)
• Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Nevada * (W, 28-21)
• Saturday, Nov. 16: at San Jose State * (W, 42-21)
• Saturday, Nov. 23: at Wyoming * (W, 17-13)
• Friday, Nov. 29: vs. Oregon State (W, 34-18)
• Friday, Dec. 6 (Mountain West championship game): vs. No. 20 UNLV (W, 21-7)
• Tuesday, Dec. 31: vs. No. 6 Penn State (CFP quarterfinals) **
• Record: 12-1, 8-0 Mountain West

* Denotes Mountain West game

** Denotes CFP ranking

Penn State football news

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