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Nittany Lions aim to advance to CFP semis

Photo courtesy of PENN STATE ATHLETICS
Head coach James Franklin wipes off the 2017 Fiesta Bowl trophy after Penn State beat Washington.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Penn State Nittany Lions have been to the desert many times before … to the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, that is.

The Nittany Lions have won a total of seven Fiesta Bowl games – the most of any school – and are looking to make it eight when they face Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on New Year’s Eve.

The winner of the game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., faces the Sugar Bowl winner of Georgia-Notre Dame in the semifinals.

According to Penn State, players were off until Christmas night, spending much of the holidays with their families. Nittany Lion head coach James Franklin and his staff decided to spend time at the football facilities in Happy Valley.

Teams often highlight the bowl experience with the amenities each city has to offer. Franklin acknowledges Phoenix is a “phenomenal town,” but he is intent on the Nittany Lions (12-2) staying focused on Boise State (12-1).

This is a business trip for us,” Franklin said. “It’s not like we’ll be out shopping or going to restaurants. We’ll enjoy the weather. I’ll tell you that, from what I understand, it’s about 70 degrees. So, I think today in State College, it’s about 72 degrees,” he joked.

The game has practically featured a new sponsor each time the Nittany Lions have visited: Sunkist, IBM, Tostitos, Vizio, BattleFrog and PlayStation have all lent their support over the years.

There’s no joking when recapping the Nittany Lions’ previous seven trips to the Fiesta Bowl:

1977: Penn State 42,

Arizona State 30

It was the only time Penn State and Arizona State have played and also just the seventh Fiesta Bowl overall. The Fiesta Bowl was once an annual Christmas Day tradition, being played on the 25th every year from 1976 to 1979. The Nittany Lions came in as a touchdown favorite and looked like it early on, leading 14-0 after the first quarter. Arizona State fought back and trailed just 17-14 at the half. An 18-yard TD run by Penn State’s Steve Geise marked six of the seven total third quarter points, and the Nittany Lions went into the last 15 minutes up 10. In a wild fourth quarter, Penn State outscored Arizona State 18-16, sealing the win.

1980: Penn State 31, Ohio State 19

The 1980 season was a bounce back year for Penn State. The Nittany Lions went 10-2 and finished No. 8 in the country, capping it off with a win over Earle Bruce’s Buckeyes. Curt Warner — who would soon be a Penn State legend — ran the first play from scrimmage for a 64-yard touchdown and ended up being the game’s offensive MVP, gaining 156 yards on 18 carries.

1981/82: Penn State 26, USC 10

The 1981 Nittany Lions reached No. 1 before a QB – who wanted to go to Penn State but didn’t because legendary Joe Paterno wanted him to play linebacker – derailed that perfect season. His name was Jim Kelly, and he led unranked Miami to a 17-14 win. Two weeks later, Penn State lost again in a showdown with Bear Bryant and No. 6 Alabama, knocking Penn State out of the national title hunt. Penn State spoiled in-state rival Pitt’s perfect season and had momentum going into the game against Marcus Allen and USC in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State bottled up Allen, the Heisman Trophy winner who ran the ball 30 times for 85 yards, and coasted to a win.

1986/87: Penn State 14, Miami 10

If you’re a Penn State fan who doesn’t know about this game, that’s your problem.

1991/92: Penn State 42, Tennessee 17

This was a laugher as the Nittany Lions bulldozed Tennessee by four touchdowns to finish 11-2 and No. 3 in the country. Offensive MVP O.J. McDuffie stole the show, with 149 all-purpose yards. Tennessee led 17-7 in the third quarter, but a TD catch by redshirt freshman tight end Kyle Brady rallied Penn State to a 21-17 lead. In total, the Nittany Lions scored five touchdowns in less than eight minutes to seal the deal.

1996/97: PSU 38, Texas 15

Like its previous Fiesta Bowl win, Penn State found itself trailing in the second half. But the Nittany Lions scored 21 third-quarter points, going into the fourth quarter up 28-15. Another 10 points made it look like a blowout. This game featured Penn State receiver Chafie Fields going 85 yards on a double reverse to put Penn State at the Texas 1-yard line, with running back Anthony Cleary punching it in one play later.

2017: PSU 35, Washington 28

Played on Dec. 30, 2017, Saquon Barkley delivered in his last dance at Penn State. Barkley ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, the most notable run being a 92-yard touchdown that put the Nittany Lions up by three scores in the second quarter. Washington hung around, cutting the deficit to a score with 6:52 left in the game, but that’s as close as Washington got. Penn State gave Franklin his first New Year’s Six Bowl win. Almost six years later, Washington joined the Big Ten.

Penn State-Boise State is scheduled to kickoff at 7:30 tonight on ESPN.

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