Considering Boise State and Penn State are undefeated in the Fiesta Bowl, it almost seems too good to be true from a historical perspective that they are facing each other.
The Broncos, the top Group of Five program this season, have made name for themselves in the national landscape thanks to their performances in Fiesta Bowls. Some of the most memorable games in the history of college football have featured Boise State upsetting some of the most well-known teams in the sport.
“I’m not from Boise, Idaho. I didn’t grow up watching every single game of the Broncos, but I was privy to watch the big ones, the Fiesta Bowls, like the whole nation was. And so those are the moments that you remember,” Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson said. “Obviously it’s a different game now, being that it’s a playoff game, but it’s surreal.”
Here’s a quick look at this year’s Fiesta Bowl as well as Boise State and Penn State’s histories with the game.
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Where To Watch Penn State-Boise State
The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, played between No. 6-ranked Penn State and No. 3-ranked Boise State, will be televised on ESPN.
The game, which is one of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal matchups, is taking place on Dec. 31 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
“Everyone’s goal is to go win a national championship. Now we’re going to focus on our work and what we do,” Danielson said. “That is our focus, is to play our absolute best football on the 31st.”
How Many Fiesta Bowls Has Boise State Played In?
Boise State has played in three Fiesta Bowls before this season. All three of those contests took place in this century – 2007 against Oklahoma, 2010 against TCU, and 2014 against Arizona.
What’s Boise State’s Fiesta Bowl Record?
Boise State is a perfect 3-0 while playing in a Fiesta Bowl. And all three of those were single-possession games.
What’s Penn State’s Fiesta Bowl Record?
Penn State is 7-0 in the Fiesta Bowl. The Nittany Lions won this game in 2017, 1997, 1992, 1987, 1982, 1980, and 1977. Some of those games were played on New Year’s Day, so those years aren’t reflective of the seasons they were played in.
“We don’t get into a whole lot of the history of these games, because I don’t necessarily feel like the time is worth taking away from preparing for the specific opponent that we have this year, which is Boise,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said. “Our guys are very aware of our history here at Penn State, and we spent a lot of time in the offseason talking about those things, or different former players coming back, lettermen to talk to our guys, or guys on our current staff. We don’t spend a whole lot of time talking about those types of things, the history, the tradition or how many times we have played in this game. Just all our energy and focus is this team, playing this opponent, in this second round of the playoffs, the quarterfinals. So that’s really our focus.”
Chris Petersen Fiesta Bowl Appearances
Former Boise State head coach Chris Petersen went a perfect 2-0 in Fiesta Bowls.
His most recent one while at Boise State was during the 2009 season, which ended with a 17-10 victory over No. 3-ranked TCU.
Kellen Moore, the winningest quarterback in the history of college football, led the No. 6-ranked Broncos that season and went 23 of 39 for 211 yards in that game. Doug Martin, one of the best Boise State running backs ever, scored what would be the game-winning touchdown with under eight minutes to play. Tight end Kyle Efaw (four catches for 75 yards) and defensive back Brandyn Thompson (seven tackles and two interceptions with one returned for a touchdown in the first quarter) were the MVPs of the game.
Boise State’s Statue Of Liberty Fiesta Bowl Win
Boise State’s first Fiesta Bowl win, also when Chris Petersen was the head coach, was one for the ages during the 2006 season.
Quarterback Jared Zabransky, who appeared on the cover of NCAA Football 08, was the Offensive Most Valuable Player in the 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl when No. 9-ranked Boise State defeated No. 7 Oklahoma 43-42 in overtime. He threw for 262 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception on 19-of-29 passing.
The game is famous for the hook and lateral at the end of regulation when Zabransky threw to Drisan James, who pitched the ball to Jerard Rabb, who then scored the tying touchdown at the end of regulation. And, of course, it’s also known for the Statue of Liberty play when Zabransky held the ball behind his back and handed it off to Ian Johnson, who then scored the game-winning two-point conversion. The day is also remembered for Johnson proposing to his girlfriend after the game.
Marty Tadman was the defensive MVP of the game. He had two interceptions with one pick-six in the third quarter to go with five tackles.
Bryan Harsin Fiesta Bowl Appearance
Former Broncos head coach Bryan Harsin also led Boise State to a Fiesta Bowl win during the 2014 season. The No. 21-ranked Broncos gained a 14-point halftime lead and held on for a 38-30 victory over No. 12 Arizona.
Boise State wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck (199 yards on 12 catches) was the Offensive MVP and linebacker Tanner Vallejo (14 tackles and 1.5 sacks) was the Defensive MVP.
Jay Ajayi, arguably one of Boise State’s best running backs ever, ran for 134 yards and three touchdowns. Broncos QB Grant Hedrick threw for 309 yards, one touchdown, and one INT while completing 24 of 34 passes.
Chris Petersen’s Record At Boise State
Petersen went 92-12 as the head coach at Boise State from 2006-13. That includes two wins in the Fiesta Bowl and a 5-2 record in bowl games.
Where Is Chris Petersen Now?
Chris Petersen is currently a college football analyst for FOX.
After leaving Boise State, he was the head coach at Washington from 2014-19. He went 81-55 while there with a 2-4 record in bowl games.
Bryan Harsin’s Record At Boise State
Harsin went 69-19 over seven seasons at Boise State. He was 3-2 in bowl games.
Danielson said he greatly appreciates the history that Boise State head coaches in the past have been a part of.
“The first time I ever watched Boise State play was in a Fiesta Bowl,” Danielson said. “I’m sure I’m not alone, unless someone was born and raised in this area. I’m sure a lot of people came to know about the Broncos through watching one of those Fiesta Bowl wins.”
Where Is Bryan Harsin Now?
Harsin was recently hired to be Cal’s offensive coordinator.
Harsin left Boise State to become the head coach at Auburn. He went 9-12 while there.
