GLENDALE, Ariz. — After a spectacular 31-14 victory against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, Penn State head coach James Franklin radiated positivity during his postgame press conference. With this win, the Nittany Lions secured a slot in the College Football Playoff semifinals, marking a significant milestone for the program.

Franklin began by acknowledging the talent of Boise State, stating, “I want to give Boise a ton of credit. They’re a really, really good football team, and Coach Spencer Danielson has done phenomenal work with them. Their running back, Ashton Jeanty, is particularly impressive, and we’ve talked about him a lot.” He expressed pride in his own team's performance, emphasizing the complete execution in offense, defense, and special teams.

“This season has been about creating moments and opportunities. I’m thrilled that our players found a way to win against a quality opponent,” Franklin said.

Highlighting team achievements,

Franklin noted, “We achieved 13 wins for the first time in program history. Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton both surpassed 1,000 yards this season—a first since joining the Big Ten. Our consistency and maturity is commendable; we’re 8-0 in Fiesta Bowl appearances, and clearly, Penn State has a love for this bowl.”

Key Performances by the Running Backs

Franklin continued by lauding the contributions of his running backs. “While everyone wants to focus on them, football starts in the trenches. Our offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage, which is crucial for our running game.” Franklin noted that Allen’s physicality and Singleton’s explosive speed make them a strong complementary duo, enhancing the effectiveness of their plays.

Defense Shines Against Boise State's Star