Penn State vs. Boise State: Time, TV channel, College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Game Preview

The Broncos and Nittany Lions quarterfinal matchup will feature three first-team All-Americans, tied for the most in a quarterfinal game.

With several big names on the field, here’s a rundown of the players who will control the fate of their respective teams with their performances.

Boise State

Offense: running back Ashton Jeanty

Whenever a player is mentioned in the same conversation as an NFL Hall of Fame running back, there’s nothing more to say.

The Heisman finalist was nearly unstoppable during the regular season, finishing with 2,613 all-purpose yards and 30 total touchdowns. Even more impressive, Jeanty’s 2,497 rushing yards are the fourth-most in FBS single-season history.

He needs 132 rushing yards to break Barry Sanders’ all-time record (2,628) set in 1988. There is no doubt that the Broncos’ offense runs through the winner of the Doak Walker and Maxwell awards.

Ashton Jeanty was 131 rushing yards shy of the ALL-TIME FBS rushing record set by Barry Sanders.

Let’s remember that Ashton Jeanty was benched for 8 full quarters because Boise State dominated its opponents.

You better believe I would have shattered that record. pic.twitter.com/gYL2bEkSg7

—Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) December 9, 2024

Defense: Edge Jayden Virgin-Morgan

The Broncos have four players with five or more sacks this season, and leading the way is Virgin-Morgan with 10 with 15.5 tackles for loss, also a team-high.

Although the offense receives the most attention, the defense ranks second in the country with 51 sacks. The unit took on UNLV tremendously, forcing two turnovers in the second, one in the red zone and another at the Boise State 21-yard line. The Virgin-Morgan defense had a sack in the conference championship victory.

The Nittany Lions have a top-20 rushing attack in the country and can do a lot of damage through the air, making Boise State’s defensive line even more important.

State of Pennsylvania

Offense: Tight end Tyler Warren

Penn State has multiple weapons for quarterback Drew Allar to use on offense, whether on the ground or through the air.

One player who has made an impact on both fronts is Warren.

The Mackey Award winner has been the best tight end in all of college football this year, leading Penn State in receptions (92) and receiving yards (1,095), a Big Ten single-season record for a tight end.

Warren had a quiet game in the first round against SMU with just four receptions for 33 yards, but keep an eye on the first-team All-American.

Defense: defensive end Abdul Carter

The Nittany Lions’ other first-team All-American, a unanimous one at that, Carter has been a force to be reckoned with all season long.

He racked up 11 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss, ranking in the top 10 in the country in both categories and second in the latter statistic. Carter was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, winner of the Ted Hendricks Award and finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Lombardi Award. He had two tackles for loss and a sack against SMU.

It’s been impressive how strong Penn State’s defense has looked all season, and it’s even more incredible to lead the pack like Carter.

The best of the best

B1G Defensive Player of the Year #Are unknown @1NCRDB1 pic.twitter.com/geJtHrLfNB

– Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 3, 2024