Penn State vs. Boise State Score: It is a year to remember and two of this season’s most exciting teams go head to head at the Fiesta Bowl: titans of 2024 Penn State and Boise State. A college football game the nation will surely love, featuring glorious chases into its programs like never before while fans from far and wide have stood by awaiting the all-out classic. Show after all that boasts of glory as well as pride: every live update, its implications in College Football Playoff as well as highlighted every key moment.

Game begins: Both teams want a good off the gate start

The game was characterized by much vigor as both sides wanted to have an upper hand on the other, with Penn State and its ace quarterback not taking long in blowing off the whistle for the downfield tackle. A number of short passes and a roaring run game also left them with comfortable distance to throw in a 25-yard pass to their ace wide receiver for a touchdown. The drive really showcased and epitomized the offensive strength that has been characterizing the entire season of Penn State.

Boise State matched the play with their multi-dimensional offence intact, keeping the Penn State defense on their heels. Their quarterback was making plays outside the pocket. Then he launches a 40-yard bomb to his favorite receiver and set them up well for a rushing touchdown to tie the game. There was a sharp display on both sides that continued into the quarter, which ended tied at 7-7. The fans were just getting started.

Allar to Tyler Warren, great catch for a TD pic.twitter.com/kQ0BFEBuiQ

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 1, 2025

Second Quarter: Defensive Adjustments and Tactical Play

This was one of those quarters where defense told the tale of both teams. Penn State’s front seven became dominant by accounting for two sacks while disrupting Boise State’s rhythm and flow. But Boise State defense was not left behind either because they caused a fumble, which turned momentum in their favor for some brief time.

Purdue’s kicker had to come back with the 45-yard field goal to put his team ahead by one point off the stalled drive. Boise State was going nowhere and ran the time-consuming drive that ended with their field goal also. Halftime was near completion with Penn State moving the chains as part of an excellent two-minute drill with the final run coming on a 15-yard dash. And that was that, off into the locker room with Penn State leading 17-10.

Half-Time Analysis-Key Takeaways

Offense for Penn State: Boise State has seen a balanced attack and the quarterback shows poise while under pressure.

Playmaking for Boise State: Still on the opposing end of that stout defense Boise State has shown much resilience and explosiveness.

Defensive Impact: Both teams have adjusted well, and it is a very intriguing second half.

Third Quarter: Momentum Swings Galore

Fireworks for the third quarter, as Boise State’s return specialist took the opening kickoff 95 yards to the house, electrifying their sideline and tying the game. Penn State wasn’t even rattled by it, answering with a methodical drive that featured some passes and runs culminating in yet another rushing touchdown.

It was at that stage, late in the quarter, when Boise State’s offense clicked. Connected with a couple of successive long completions to deep passes setup short touchdown pass his quarterback matched the game up again and then the two kept trading and wrestling the ball through into the break at 24 all after four quarters

It was a true nail-biter for the last quarter. Penn State’s defense recovered early and short fielded their own offense. Quickly throwing a strike in to their tight end in the end zone went up seven points. Boise responded with trademark grit as a 12-play 80-yard drive ended in tying the game via a touchdown.

The offense had mounted a key drive with less than two minutes to go to play. They kicked the 50-yard field goal as the clock expired for the final score of 34-31, and Boise State’s last-ditch heave at the end would fall short and seal the Penn State victory.

Game Ball: Penn State’s quarterback played wonderfully in moving his team forward and making very sharp, accurate throws when he had drives for winning.

Swing of Game: The last quarter pick just swung everything towards Penn State’s favor.

How wide open can a guy get, sheesh pic.twitter.com/MCx3iIK53z

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 1, 2025

Penn State vs. Boise State Score: Scoreboard Leaders

Penn State QB: Completed 310 passes, 2 touchdowns

Boise State QB: Threw for 280 yards with 3 touchdowns

Penn State RB: 120 on the ground and has 1 total TD

College Football Playoff Implications

This only helps for momentum coming into next season for Penn State but still keeps in place having a great bowl game.

That loss was a nice reminder to everyone as to why Boise State, in its totality, still remains athletic all the way up as a whole program.

Catch all the action and depth of analysis as college football enters its final stretch with us. For all your Fiesta Bowl and College Football Playoff news, stay right here on CBS Sports.