STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, defeating SMU 38-10 in the opening round of the College Football Playoff (CFP). The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions (12-2) overwhelmed the Mustangs (11-3) with a defensive showcase, including two pick-sixes from Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas. With the win, Penn State advances to face fourth-seeded Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
Dominant Defensive Performance Leads to Win
The Nittany Lions’ defense was the story of the day, forcing three turnovers from SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings. The first blow came early in the second quarter when DeLuca intercepted a misthrown pass by Jennings, racing 23 yards to the end zone for the opening score. Later, Rojas intercepted a desperate throw from Jennings, returning it 59 yards for another touchdown, pushing Penn State to a commanding 14-0 lead.
The Beaver Stadium crowd of over 106,000 fans, braving frigid temperatures in the low 20s, erupted as the Penn State defense continued to dominate. SMU, which had been high-flying throughout the season, couldn’t recover from the early turnovers and mistakes.
Offense Capitalizes on Mistakes
With a strong defensive foundation, Penn State’s offense quickly found its rhythm. Running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen each scored touchdowns, with Allen finishing a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a 25-yard dash to make it 21-0. Singleton added a 1-yard touchdown run before halftime to push the lead to 28-0.
Quarterback Drew Allar, who completed 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards, played every meaningful snap after backup Beau Pribula entered the transfer portal earlier in the week. Allar efficiently managed the game, allowing the Nittany Lions to maintain control throughout.
SMU’s Struggles and Missed Opportunities
Jennings, who had been a standout during SMU’s undefeated regular season, struggled against Penn State’s pressure. Despite finishing 20-of-36 for 195 yards and a late touchdown, he also threw three interceptions, including two costly ones for touchdowns. His missed opportunity on SMU’s opening drive, when he failed to connect with a wide-open tight end Matthew Hibner in the end zone, set the tone for the rest of the game.
For SMU, this loss was a disappointing end to a historic season, with the Mustangs failing to validate their CFP selection over teams like Alabama and Miami. The Mustangs’ hopes of a comeback, similar to their thrilling performance in the ACC Championship Game against Clemson, never materialized.
Looking Ahead: Boise State Awaits
With the win, Penn State will now face a formidable Boise State team in the CFP quarterfinals. The Fiesta Bowl, set for December 31, will be a high-stakes showdown in the desert as the Nittany Lions look to continue their championship run.
Takeaways from the Game:
- SMU: The Mustangs failed to live up to expectations after a remarkable season. Their inability to capitalize on key opportunities and their turnover-prone performance left them with little chance against the powerful Penn State defense.
- Penn State: The Nittany Lions bounced back from a less-than-ideal showing in the Big Ten title game against Oregon. Their dominant defense and efficient offense set the stage for a challenging contest against Boise State in the upcoming Fiesta Bowl.
For more insights into the College Football Playoff and upcoming matchups, visit CFP Official Site and Boise State Football.
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