Both Penn State and Boise State entered the Fiesta Bowl undefeated in this particular bowl, with a combined record of 10-0.  Penn State won the 1986 National Championship there.  Boise State won perhaps the biggest game of the program’s history (to this point) by beating Oklahoma there.  In this year’s Fiesta Bowl, Penn State runs over Boise State 31-14 to advance to the College Football Playoffs (CFP) Semifinals.

Similar to how Penn State jumped ahead early last week in the Round One win over SMU, the Nittany Lions again dominated early in the Fiesta Bowl.  Penn State built a 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.  However, the game was far from over.  Penn State let Boise State back in the game, got too cute with play calling, and let the Broncos stick around before finally putting the game away.  Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty did show his impressive skills for Boise State in this game, but ironically Penn State’s running game proved to be the difference.  Despite playing most of the game without stalwart Abdul Carter, Penn State’s defense controlled Boise State’s offense.

Key Takeaways: Penn State Runs Over Boise State to Advance to CFP Semifinals

The Fiesta Bowl showcased two of the game’s biggest stars.  Boise State’s Jeanty came into the Fiesta Bowl 132 yards away from breaking the single-season rushing record, held by Barry Sanders.  On the Penn State side, defensive end Carter headlined coordinator Tom Allen’s defense.  Carter does not lack in either talent or confidence.  The Fiesta Bowl was expected to be a showdown of these stars.  However, neither of these players had as much of an impact on the outcome as expected.  Jeanty was bottled up by Penn State’s defense for most of the game, while Carter was injured in the first half and did not return.

In-Game Over-Adjustments

Penn State’s coaching staff has been good at making necessary in-game adjustments.  However, in the Fiesta Bowl, the Penn State staff over-adjusted.  On offense, the Nittany Lions curiously veered from their bread and butter, despite the running game working time and time again.  On defense, Penn State watched Boise State reorient to a passing attack with some success while shutting down Jeanty.

Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has been creative all season.  In the Fiesta Bowl, the running game worked, driven primarily by Kaytron Allen‘s power running style.  However, Penn State mixed in more passes than needed.  Boise State’s pass rush is one of the nation’s best.  In the Fiesta Bowl, quarterback Drew Allar frequently scrambled, and dove forward leading with his shoulder.  After Beau Pribula left the program, eventually transferring to Missouri, Allar’s backup is true freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer.  The risk in Allar’s scrambles is obvious.  Fortunately for Penn State, Mackey Award winner and Offensive Player of the Game Tyler Warren remained a focal point through the game.  When looking to eat clock in the fourth quarter, Penn State went back to the run.  Nick Singleton produced a 58-yard touchdown run to effectively end the game.

On the defensive side, Penn State was almost solely focused on stopping Jeanty.  However, that focus on the run, as well as the loss of Carter to injury, led Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson and offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to let quarterback Maddux Madsen loose.  Madsen was very accurate and kept his team in the game until the fourth quarter.  The pass rush clearly struggled without Carter, though Defensive Player of the Game Zakee Wheatley came through with a huge interception early in the fourth quarter to bail out the pass rush a bit.

Jeanty Bottled Up by Penn State’s Defense

There was never any doubt that Boise State was going to feature Jeanty in their offense.  However, something happened in the Fiesta Bowl.  Franklin spoke before the game about neutralizing Jeanty, saying Penn State needed to “overload the box with numbers and gang tackle.” Jeanty was effectively neutralized and forced Danielson and Koetter to find offense elsewhere.

Jeanty came into the game with the single-season rushing record within reach, which he did not achieve.  After accumulating 344 carries entering this game, he had three weeks off and commented that he felt fresh and well-rested.  However, he looked more rusty than well-rested.  Most glaring for Boise State, Jeanty fumbled only twice for the season coming in but fumbled twice in the first half of the Fiesta Bowl.

Jeanty finished with 104 yards on 30 carries with no touchdowns.  His highlight was a 26-yard run on 3rd-and-21.  Given Penn State’s focus on shutting down Jeanty and the absence of Carter due to injury, Boise State opened up the passing game.  Despite that, Jeanty still produced over 100 yards and ran hard all game.  As evidence, there were multiple Penn State defenders who either hobbled off the field or were injured.  However, in the end, Penn State emerged victorious, and as Franklin said after the game “We did a tremendous job against one of the best running backs in the history of college football.”

By the Numbers: Penn State Runs Over Boise State to Advance to CFP Semifinals

Offense

Passing: Penn State threw for 171 yards, compared to 304 for Boise State.  Drew Allar completed 13 of 25 for 171 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions.  For Boise State, Madsen completed 23 of 35 for 304 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions.

Rushing: Penn State had 216 yards, compared to 108 yards for Boise State.  Allen led Penn State, and all players, with 134 rushing yards on 17 carries.  Singleton added 87 yards on 12 carries, adding a touchdown.  Boise State was led by Jeanty, who had 104 yards on 30 carries.  Tyler Crowe rushed one time, which was an eight-yard touchdown.

Receiving: Warren led Penn State with 63 yards on six catches with two touchdowns.  Omari Evans added two receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown.  For Boise State, Matt Lauter led the team with a game-high 96 yards on four receptions with a touchdown.  Cameron Camper had three catches for 66 yards.

Defense/Special Teams

Defense: Kobe King and Jaylen Reed had eight tackles each to lead Penn State.  Reed, Amin Vanover, and Dani Dennis-Sutton each had a sack.  Additionally, Wheatley, Zion Tracey, and Tyrece Mills had an interception each, while Wheatley also recovered a fumble.  Ty Benefield led Boise State with a game-high nine tackles, while Alexander Teubner and Ahmed Hassanein had a sack each.  Marco Notarainni, Andrew Simpson, Max Stege, and Michael Callahan each had a half-sack.  Boise State’s fumble recovery was by Seyi Oladipo.

Special Teams: For Penn State, Ryan Barker converted his only field goal attempt.  He converted all four of his extra-point attempts.  Riley Thompson punted six times, averaging 47.2 yards per punt.  For Boise State, Jonah Dalmas missed both of his field goal attempts, but successfully converted both of his extra-point tries.  James Ferguson-Reynolds punted four times, averaging 40.8 yards per punt.

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Sixth-seed (fourth-ranked) Penn State faces 3rd-seed (9^th-ranked) Boise State in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoffs (CFP).  The game will take place at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.  It follows Penn State’s first-round historic win over SMU.  Boise State will make its CFP debut after a first-round bye.

Penn State is riding the momentum of winning the first-ever playoff game at Beaver Stadium.  As games move to neutral sites, if there is any bowl where the Nittany Lions would feel at home, the Fiesta Bowl is it.  This will be Penn State’s eighth appearance in the Fiesta Bowl, coming in with a record of 7-0.  Penn State clinched the 1986 National Championship there.  Boise State is also undefeated at the Fiesta Bowl, coming in with a record of 3-0, highlighted by the Broncos win over Oklahoma in 2006 to finish a 13-0 season.  The Broncos are the last non-Power Five conference team to win the Fiesta.  No matter who wins this game, history will be made in Glendale, Arizona on New Year’s Eve.

If Penn State’s round one victory over SMU is any indication, this quarterfinal will be played and coached very aggressively.  Penn State head coach James Franklin alluded to this in his Monday press conference.  He talked about the “chess match” between the coaching staff to maximize the impact of each team’s star players, who are consequently the key players to watch for this game.

#6 Penn State (12-2) Takes on #3 Boise State (12-1): CFP Quarterfinals

When & Where: Tuesday, December 31^st, 7:30 pm ET, at Glendale, Arizona (State Farm Stadium)

Last Game’s Results: Penn State defeated SMU 38-10 at home in the first round of the CFP.  Boise State was last in action at home in the Mountain West Conference championship game.  The Broncos defeated #19 UNLV by the score of 21-7.

Last Season’s Results: Penn State finished ranked #13 after a 10-3 season that ended with a Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss.  Boise State finished with a record of 8-6, in a season that ended with a Mountain West Conference championship, but a 35-22 loss to UCLA in the LA Bowl.

Series History: The CFP Quarterfinals will be the first time Penn State and Boise State face off.

Penn State vs. Boise State Preview: Key Players to Watch

Penn State Defensive End Abdul Carter

When analyzing the Penn State defense, it is obvious that defensive end Abdul Carter is one of the most talented players on the field.  In fact, recently he has clearly been the best player on the field.

This season is Carter’s first at defensive end, following a move from linebacker.  As a leader of the defense, he retained the highly coveted and respected uniform number 11. Carter’s year started rocky, failing to make as much of an impact as expected early in the season.  However, through the year, quiet games became impact games.  Penalties against Carter became penalties drawn by quarter.  He finished 2024 as the Big Ten conference leader in tackles for loss by a longshot and enters this game with 21.5.  This is a nod to the impact Carter has had on the running game.  He has also produced 11 sacks on the season, an ode to his obvious impact on the passing game as well.

Carter can impact both the opponent’s rushing attack and passing game.  Additionally, he is a focal point for the other team’s offensive coaches to gameplan around.  His ability to affect the game directly and open up lanes for teammates to have their own impact makes Carter a player to watch in the CFP quarterfinals.

Boise State Running Back Ashton Jeanty

There are few players in college football as electrifying as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.  To call Jeanty an anomaly is an understatement.  He is a combination of speed, power, and strong running and pass-catching ability.  Jeanty was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy this year and would have won it in most other years.  As Franklin commented about Boise State’s offense, “It all starts and revolves around Jeanty.”

The statistics that Jeanty put together this season are off the charts.  He has led the nation by running for 2,497 yards (and tied for the lead with 29 touchdowns).  Omarion Hampton of UNC, who will be competing in the Fenway Bowl, was second with 1,660 yards.  Perhaps more impressive, Jeanty has about 1,300 yards after contact.  Franklin called it a ridiculous stat and noted that Jeanty has “More yards after contact than most of the elite running backs in college football have in general.”  This is in stark contrast to the two-headed running back monster that Penn State boasts with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.  Jeanty also gets involved in the passing game, with 20 receptions and a touchdown.

Boise State’s offense goes through Jeanty.  Everyone knows that, but no one has been able to stop it, as his yards after contact attest to.  He has had 30 or more carries in seven of his last eight games.  Franklin said on Monday “He’s a beast in terms of his production on the field, and his durability.”  Jeanty’s ability to continue to carry the load for the Boise State offense, against a tough Penn State defense, makes him a player to watch in the CFP quarterfinals.

The post Penn State Faces Boise State in CFP Quarterfinals appeared first on Last Word on College Football.

The Arizona Bowl created a great environment for the fans in attendance. With Snoop Dogg on the mic and so many events, this was one big party. However, once the game started, the party was clearly over for the Colorado State Rams. Things went south after scoring a field goal on their first drive. Despite having plenty of starters playing, they were thoroughly outclassed by the RedHawks. With a final score of 43-17, the route was on in the second half. Getting as bad as 29-3, the Rams were their own worst enemy. With countless turnovers and failed fourth downs, the Rams looked unprepared for this bowl game. However, despite the blowout, the atmosphere of the game was a huge success. In brief, this was a great time for all the fans, Snoop Dogg should be proud of his Arizona Bowl and his impact.

Miami (OH) Downs Colorado State 43-17

Miscues for the Rams

After their first drive, the Rams looked shell-shocked. The next three drives resulted in a turnover. Unfortunately, their fifth drive of the game was a turnover on downs. Luckily for them, the defense was standing tall, and the halftime score was only 9-3. Coming out of the half, things didn’t improve for this offense. The first two drives out of the gate were a fumble and a turnover on downs. A potent offense all season, this was an embarrassingly bad performance. Head Coach Jay Norvell did not appear to have his squad ready to go in their first bowl game of his tenure. Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi did throw for 321 yards, but he had two costly interceptions. Spacing the ball out, no single receiver had a big impact on the outcome.

Ending on a High Note

For the Miami (OH) RedHawks, the Arizona Bowl was a great way to end a successful season in the MAC Conference. After recovering from a 1-4 start, Miami (OH) went on a run. The RedHawks finished the regular season with an 8-4 record. Unfortunately, they came up short in the MAC championship. So, this was a much-needed morale boost to end the year.

Quarterback Brett Gabbert finished with 184 yards through the air. In addition, he scored a rushing touchdown in his farewell game. After an up-and-down career, he will forever be remembered by RedHawks fans for his grit and longevity. Senior running back Kevin Davis had quite the game on the ground. Entering this matchup, he only had 183 yards on the season. However, he burst onto the scene with 148 yards rushing and two touchdowns. A real statement win for Chuck Martin, the RedHawks proved that they are in the top class of Group of Five teams.

Unprepared?

Unfortunately, the Colorado State Rams seemed unprepared early on. That is a reflection of the coaching staff.  They limped to the finish line and lost two of the last three. This was expected to be a close game, but there were too many miscues. Colorado State was able to move the ball early. However, they kept shooting themselves in the foot. Despite the stingy first half, the Rams’ defense was blown apart in the second half. The Rams have plenty of returning production, all hope is not lost. This was a harsh ending to an otherwise impressive season for Norvell and his group. They should be ready to go next season, as they make another push towards the Mountain West Championship.

Making a Statement

As discussed above, the RedHawks made a real statement in the Arizona Bowl. Written off after getting dismantled in the MAC Championship, they could have easily packed up shop. A real testament to the culture of this program, they came to play in the final game of their season. Even after the loss of receiver Reggie Virgil to the transfer portal, the passing game was working all day long. With Gabbert spreading the ball out, eight different players caught a pass. This was a RedHawks team with high expectations for this season, and they were punched in the mouth early. After their 1-4 record they finished 8-1 down the stretch. With Gabbert moving on after a prolific career, the next season will look much different. However, RedHawks fans have learned to trust Martin, and they know they will be competitive again next year.

Final Thoughts

Boy, was this prediction wrong. Two solid eight-win teams, of course, it was expected for this one to be much closer. Despite scoring first, the Rams were embarrassed off the field by the RedHawks. This was a game of two programs looking to end on a high note. Each with a disappointing loss at the end of the year, the cultures of both programs were tested.

It is safe to say that Miami (OH) showed no signs of quitting. Putting up nearly 50 points, this was an impressive bounce back after their MAC Championship loss. In a competitive first half, the Rams made too many mistakes to compete in the game. This unique environment was a nice atmosphere for everyone involved. Certainly, a success for Snoop Dogg, look for him to continue to be the partner for this bowl game. Above all, congratulations to the Miami (OH) RedHawks for an impressive 9-4 season.

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Taking place on Saturday, the Arizona Bowl provides college football fans with a unique matchup. The Miami Ohio RedHawks find themselves taking on the Colorado State Rams. Starting at 4:30 pm Eastern, this bowl game is flying a bit under the radar. However, to the die-hard football fans, this game is worth watching. Pitting two eight-win teams against each other, this should be a hard-fought football game. Both teams suffered disappointment at the end of their seasons and will be eager to end on a high note. The RedHawks are currently sitting at 2.5-point favorites, proving that oddsmakers view this as a close game. With so many games on Saturday, many are unfortunately not paying attention to this one. If fans want a close game between two tough Group of Five teams, they should tune in.

Arizona Bowl Preview: Underrated Matchup

Unique Venue

Everything about the Arizona Bowl showcases an atmosphere like no other game. Taking place in sunny Tucson, fans should be greeted by beautiful weather. Considering the Winter weather in much of the country, this could be a welcomed sight. Not only is the venue unique but many fans will be surprised by the game’s new, full name. This isn’t just the Arizona Bowl; it is the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl. Hosting a pep rally the day before, this is an all-weekend event. With a festival tailgate taking place on the day of the game, fans will be hard-pressed to find a venue quite like this. Partnering with Snoop Dogg’s drink, this will be the first time that an alcohol brand is sponsoring a bowl game. This whole weekend should be a fun time for the fans, as they gear up for an underrated game.

Veteran Quarterbacks

Moving on to the actual game, this bowl features two high-end quarterbacks. For the RedHawks, they will be led by senior Brett Gabbert. Having quite a career at Miami (OH), he will be hoping to finish on top. In his senior campaign, Gabbert threw for 21 touchdowns and over 2700 yards. Despite the eight wins, this season was not smooth sailing. Starting 1-4, the team rallied behind Gabbert and rattled off seven straight wins. Making the MAC Championship, the RedHawks eventually fell short to the Ohio Bobcats. For the Colorado State Rams, they are led by sophomore Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. Throwing for over 2400 yards and 13 touchdowns, the numbers are not eye-popping. However, he is incredibly efficient and helps run the offense smoothly. Starting the season 2-3, they also got hot late, finishing the year with an 8-4 record.

Respected Coaches

Both squads are led by well-known and respected coaches. The RedHawks are led by head coach Chuck Martin, who has been in charge since 2014. A long tenure, Martin has now led the RedHawks to four straight bowl games. Highlighted by an 11-win season in 2023, he has been keeping this program relevant in the MAC conference. Under his helm, Miami has won 6 or more games every season since 2017 (excluding the shortened COVID year). Looking for his ninth win, Martin has led his team to an impressive turnaround after the slow start. For the Rams, they are led by the upstart Jay Norvell. Formerly the head coach at Nevada, Norvell transitioned to Colorado State in 2022. Finding success with the Wolf Pack, he struggled early on with the Rams. This is the first season under his tenure that they have been bowl-eligible.

Weapons on Weapons

Starting with the Rams, they have plenty of talented players surrounding Fowler-Nicolosi. Running back Avery Morrow finds himself 44 yards away from a thousand yards on the ground. Rushing for 10 touchdowns, he should be in line to have a big day. Unfortunately for the Rams, their best receiver suffered a season-ending injury earlier in the season. With no true number-one target, plenty of players have stepped up. Fowler-Nicolosi will have the chance to spread the ball out evenly, making this offense even harder to defend. For the RedHawks, they have their 1,000-yard rusher in running back Keyon Mozee. A well-balanced offense, they have had success throughout the season. They will, however, be without top receiver Reggie Virgil, as he entered the transfer portal, committing to Texas Tech. Both offenses have their fair share of skill players, but the loss of Virgil will be pivotal.

Final Thoughts

The Arizona Bowl pits two teams that have had successful seasons with disappointing endings. Colorado State fans were certainly underwhelmed when the Rams blew their chances at the Mountain West Championship. Needing to win their last two, the Rams fell short against the 6-6 Fresno State Bulldogs. The late comeback was not enough, and due to the loss, the Rams were jumped in the standings by UNLV. With Colorado State and Miami (OH) both coming up short, each team should come in motivated. Both squads have shown flashes of great football but have also proven to be vulnerable. This should be a hard-fought close game, as both teams are littered with veterans. With Jay Norvell building something special, despite being slight underdogs, I’m leaning on the side of the Rams. Look for Fowler-Nicolosi to have a big day, with the Rams winning by a late field goal.

Prediction: Colorado State 27 Miami (OH) 24

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College football’s bowl season continues on and San Jose State and South Florida get to travel out to the islands of Hawai’i to face off for just the second time in history. Some teams win before even playing and USF and San Jose State did just that with the trip to Hawai’i. In that lone previous matchup, South Florida traveled to San Jose State in 2017 and came away with a 42-22 win. This year, the Spartans are 7-5 coming into this one and the Bulls are 6-6.

The Hawai’i Bowl Features South Florida and San Jose State

How We Got Here

San Jose State had a solid season and kicked it all off with a trio of wins. The first trip-up of the year came in a barn-burner loss to Washington State, 54-52 in overtime. After that emotional loss, the Spartans traded wins and losses over the next six weeks before running into the top two Mountain West programs. The season concluded with a close 34-31 win over the ACC’s Stanford Cardinal. This is San Jose State’s second consecutive Hawai’i Bowl appearance and it is coming off a loss against Coastal Carolina.

Meanwhile, the Bulls have been hit or miss this year. They were gifted a difficult schedule with both Alabama and Miami (FL) on the docket. As a result, South Florida started off 2-4 with wins over Bethune-Cookman (FCS) and Southern Miss and dropped matchups with Alabama, Miami (FL), Tulane, and Memphis. However, the Bulls responded and finished strong by winning four of the final six. This is the first time USF will get to play in the Hawai’i Bowl.

When San Jose State Has the Ball

The downside of bowls taking a back seat to the CFP is that stars may transfer or opt out to prepare for the NFL Draft. San Jose State has a superstar receiver named Nick Nash. He led the country in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. However, he has opted out. The Spartans’ next leading receiver set to take over in this one is Justin Lockhart who is on the precipice of his own 1,000-yard season. The offense is led by Walker Eget after taking over mid-season. Eget led the MWC in yards per attempt and completion. In 11 appearances, he threw for 2,224 yards and 11 touchdowns but did turn the ball over plenty with nine interceptions and three lost fumbles.

Defensively, the Bulls have struggled. Their secondary finished the regular season by allowing 278.7 yards per game, good for seventh-worst in the FBS. The diamond in the rough is linebacker Mac Harris and his 78 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. His job has been made easier with the play of defensive lineman Decarius Hawthorne in front of him. The pair combined for 20 tackles for loss, six-and-a-half sacks, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a defensive score.

When South Florida Has the Ball

The Spartans were not the only ones to make a quarterback change. To start the year, Byrum Brown led the way but was lost due to injury. Thus, Bryce Archie took over and passed for 1,697 yards and nine touchdowns. To take the pressure off, USF has a three-headed rushing attack with three players logging at least 70 carries on the year: Kelley Joiner, Jr., Nay’quan Wright, and Taron Keith. Joiner leads the way with 766 yards and 11 touchdowns while leading the American Athletic Conference with seven yards per carry. The offensive unit is pretty hot and cold. The Bulls ran for over 300 yards just as many times as it was held to under 63 (four times).

San Jose State’s defense is about as middle of the pack as it can be. The Spartans are also led by their own star linebacker, Jordan Pollard. The junior amassed 110 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups, and an interception on the year. He was named as a First-Team All-MWC player for the first time this year. It’s possible to move the ball on this unit, however. San Jose State allowed at least 338 total yards in 10 of 12 games.

It’s football in paradise!

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The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl was generally boring until the end. Northern Illinois played catch-up all game but came out on top at the end of the second overtime. The Huskies beat the Bulldogs 28-20 to secure the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl victory. Head coach Thomas Hammock was showered in french fries to symbolize the mascot of the bowl. The potato. Despite playing from behind all game and needing two overtime segments to win, Northern Illinois ended the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl leading in almost all categories. Let’s take a look at what happened.

The Huskies Survived the Bulldogs 28-20

When previewing this contest we outlined that the team that overcame transfers would win. Well, Northern Illinois had to overcome more than transfers to win the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. A very slow start, scoring lulls, and two overtime segments headlined this win for the Huskies. By just the stats a first look would think this was a riveting affair, but that is far from the case. However, it is still important to look at. The Huskies totaled 368 yards and 24 first downs, controlled the ball for 39 minutes and 14 seconds, and had one turnover. Despite leading for most of the game, Fresno State totaled 328 yards and 17 first downs, only had the ball for 20 minutes and 46 seconds, and also had one turnover.

All Eyes on the Quarterbacks

Coming into this game it was a tale of two quarterbacks and most didn’t know who would start for the Bulldogs. Northern Illinois lost its starter before the game to the transfer portal but had a backup who played this season. Josh Holst finished the day going 18 for 30 and throwing 182 yards. He also had two touchdowns and one interception. His interception in the first quarter led to Fresno State’s first touchdown of the day three plays later. It took until the third quarter for Holst to throw the first touchdown and the second came to tie the game during the first overtime. He didn’t throw the winning touchdown in the second overtime, but he did catch the two-point conversion to seal the deal. Wide receiver George Dimopoulos threw the touchdown pass to put Northern Illinois on top in the second overtime. He then threw another pass to his quarterback, Holst, for the two-point conversion. The freshman came into the bowl game with just six receptions. In addition, this is only the fifth game he appeared in this season. Dimopoulos didn’t have a reception in this contest, but he was integral in this win.

Fresno State’s quarterback was generally unknown entering this contest. The Bulldogs had two available options, both barely playing throughout the season. Joshua Wood and Jayden Mandal played in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Wood took the majority of the snaps, finishing the day with 180 passing yards and two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. He averaged just under eight yards per pass and kept his stat sheet clean of turnovers. Mandal wasn’t as lucky. He only attempted six passes and threw the team’s interception. This interception resulted in a tying field goal for the Huskies in the third quarter.

Kicking Woes

Both teams struggled in the kicking game during the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, but Fresno State didn’t make a single attempt. The Bulldogs’ kicker, Dylan Lynch went zero-for-three on field goal attempts during this contest. Points that would have likely put this game out of the Huskies’ reach. However, he did make both extra-point attempts. The first two misses in the first quarter were both above 40 yards. The final miss in the fourth quarter was from 35 yards. Against the loss to UCLA in November, Lynch made both attempts over 40 yards so these attempts weren’t wishful thinking.

Toward the end of the fourth quarter, Norther Illinois had the ball and was driving downfield. The drive stalled and Coach Hammock decided to try a field goal to go up 17-13. Kanon Woodill had made both field goal attempts so far. The first from 29 yards and the second from 34. This final try would have been a 35-yard field goal. Woodill missed and gave the ball back to the Bulldogs. He also went two-for-two on extra points. Both kickers could have completed the game for their respective teams. Instead, the bowl game went into two overtimes and needed a sack from Huskies’ safety, Jordan Hansen to end the game.

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The Northern Illinois Huskies (7-5) take on the Fresno State Bulldogs (6-6) on Monday, December 23rd at 3:30 PM ET in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Both teams have lost key players to the transfer portal, mainly on the offensive side of the ball. In addition, the Huskies and the Bulldogs have had two very different seasons to get to this bowl game. This is a rematch of the 2010 bowl game in Boise that saw the Huskies win 40-17.

Transfers Out Highlight the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Key Offensive Player Departed

Like many other teams that made bowl games this season, key players have left for the transfer portal to find new homes for the 2025 season. Northern Illinois finished the season 7-5 after a huge upset win over Notre Dame early in the season. The quarterback play of Ethan Hampton kept the Huskies within reach during each of their five losses this season. Northern Illinois’ largest loss margin was 11 points to Miami (OH) in mid-November. Hampton entered the transfer portal at the end of the season and will suit up for Illinois in 2025.

On Monday, Josh Holst will take over for Hampton in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The redshirt freshman played in six games this season and threw for 411 yards. He has zero touchdown passes and one interception. While he doesn’t have a touchdown through the air yet this season, he did rush for one score and a total of 165 yards. That is more rushing yards than Hampton on 20 fewer carries. Holst is going to be a player to watch in this contest.

Stability is Key for Northern Illinois

Holst will have to lean on his legs and his running backs against Fresno State. Northern Illinois’ leading receiver also entered the transfer portal and won’t be available for this contest. Trayvon Rudolph tallied a team-leading 392 receiving yards this season. Holst will still have the second-leading receiver, Cam Thompson. The sophomore led the receivers this season with three receiving touchdowns and in yards per catch with 14. Finally, Holst will have his rushers for this one. Gavin Williams and Antario Brown are expected to suit up. The two combined for 1,308 rushing yards this season and 10 total touchdowns. Overall, Holst has the bulk of his offense at his disposal.

Lucky for Northern Illinois, all but one player that is expected to suit up for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl has at least one start this season.

Fresno State Offense at a Great Disadvantage

The Bulldogs have their head coach for the 2025 season. Matt Entz was named the leader of this squad for next year. The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will be the final game for interim head coach Tim Skipper. Like Northern Illinois, Fresno State is without its starting quarterback for this game. Mikey Keene entered the transfer portal after the regular season along with two of the top three receivers. Unlike the Huskies, the Bulldogs’ next two quarterbacks haven’t seen much playing time in 2024. Joshua Wood and Jayden Mandal combined for eight pass attempts this season and only three completions.

Whoever gets the start in this contest will have their work cut out for them. Especially without Jalen Moss and Raylen Sharpe to throw to. Interestingly enough, leading receiver Mac Dalena is expected to suit up. Even though he is leaving for the NFL after this season, all signs point to Dalena playing at least some of this contest. If he plays, Dalena will help these inexperienced quarterbacks face a tough, and mostly intact, Huskies defense. The running backs for the Bulldogs are playing, however, they haven’t been overly effective this season. That shows in Keene’s passing numbers for 2024. Elijah Gilliam may not have much production on the ground by way of yards and yards per carry, however, he does come into this contest with eight touchdowns. If either Wood or Mandal can get the Bulldogs down the field, look for Gilliam near the end zone.

Both Teams Depleted for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Northern Illinois and Fresno State are depleted by the transfer portal, like many other teams this bowl season. This game is going to come down to whichever team can adapt and overcome. The Huskies have a roster that has played and started several games this season, whereas the Bulldogs will be leaning on some unproven talent. Both defenses lost top production, but also have some playmakers staying for this game. The pressure will be on the offenses to get the ball moving. Northern Illinois looks to have the edge in this category, even by just a small margin. This will be a game of pieces, and which team can put those pieces together to get a win.

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The story line for the LA Bowl, Sponsored by Gronk,, could easily be about who was not there for Cal and for UNLV. Heck the Rebels didn’t even have their head coach as Barry Odom had already moved on to Purdue. Cal didn’t have its starting quarterback. The Bears also didn’t have their backup quarterback. But at the end of a long night, the numbers favored UNLV as the Rebels beat Cal 24-13 Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.

The Numbers Favored UNLV in the LA Bowl

A Sluggish Start on Both Sides

The absences may have been the reason for a sluggish start. The first two possessions for each team were three-and-out efforts. There wasn’t a first down until 9:33 left in the quarter when Cal running back Jaydn Ott rushed 48 yards to the right to the UNLV 29-yard line. The drive stalled out and the Bears settled for a 42-yard field goal from Derek Morris that bounced off the right upright and went through for the 3-0 lead. Anyone who has followed Cal this season knows that every field goal attempt was an adventure.

UNLV responded with what was available. Odom was gone and so the receiver’s coach Del Alexander took over on an interim basis. The Rebels were also missing leading receiver Ricky White who had more than 1,000 receiving yards on the season. And then there was the quarterback position. Hajj-Malik Williams got the starting job five weeks into the season when starting quarterback Matthew Sluka left over a financial dispute with the school. The freshman made the most of the opportunity taking UNLV to the Mountain West Conference championship game, and ultimately the LA Bowl.

Thrown into the Mix

The stat line Wednesday night was not pretty, but the numbers were good enough. Williams finished the game five of 18 passing for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He had another 27 net yards rushing.

Late in the first quarter he had the Rebels on third and 10 near midfield. Receiver Kaydon McGee got behind the Cal secondary and made the catch at the 13-yard line. He ran it in untouched for a 49 yard touchdown play ad a 7-3 UNLV lead.

Cal responded with a drive of its own. Starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza is in the transfer portal. Backup quarterback Chandler Rodgers was injured at the end of the season. So the task was left to left CJ Harris.

On third and three near midfield, he threw off his back foot but found tight end Jack Endries for a 21-yard gain down to the UNLV 29. On the next play, the Bears ran a reverse for Josiah Martin who weaved his way through the UNLV defense for the touchdown and the 10-7 Cal lead.

It Takes Big Plays to Move the Offense

Since it was a bowl game with little on the line, and both teams were playing with house money, there wasn’t much need to hold anything back. On its first drive of the second quarter, the Rebels were 4^th and seven on their own 39-yard line and punting it away. Punter Marshall Nichols tossed a shovel pass to receiver Camero Oliver who took it 52 yards to the Cal nine-yard line. On the next play, Williams threw his second touchdown pass of the night to Jacob Jesus for the 14-10 UNLV lead. The Rebels would not surrender the lead the rest of the way.

Cal got a 30-yard field goal from Ryan Coe at the end of the first half to close the margin to 14-13.

The absence of, well, offense was clear as the second half started. The first six possession of the third quarter by the two teams resulted in punts.

Cal even tried some fresh blood with freshman quarterback E.J. Caminong. But on third and seven at his own 33-yard line, he tried throwing a lateral to Ott, who dropped the ball. It was recovered by UNLV’s Jett Elad at the Cal 23. UNLV running back Kylin James rushed up the middle for 23 yards on the next play for the touchdown. The Rebels were up 21-13.

UNLV would add a 48-yard field goal by Caden Chittendon to get to the 24-13 final.

The Future Numbers Remain a Question Mark

With makeshift lineups on both sides, Cal still managed a relatively viable 348 yards of offense. Harris was 13 of 20 for 109 yards. Where he falls into the system next season depends on the health and return of Rodgers. Ott, who has missed much of the season with injuries racked up 84 yards, but only managed 11 carries. The Bears finished 2-6 in their first ACC season. But they got to 6-6 overall, making it to the bow game.

For UNLV, there is a real restart for the program. The Rebels finished the MWC season at 6-1 and got to the conference championship game. They were 11-3 overall. Now, former Florida and Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen will be taking over the program now.

With the transfer portal open for another nine days, there are a lot of numbers on both rosters still to be determined.

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The bowl sounds like a terrific West Coast match-up of Pac-12 and Mountain West schools. Except of course that Cal versus UNLV in the LA Bowl is now the ACC against the Mountain West.

The game on Wednesday night is of course now referred to as the LA Bowl hosted by Gronk, as former NFL player Rob Gronkowski is the name sponsor of the event.

Cal versus UNLV; The LA Bowl Preview

Bowl: LA Bowl, Hosted by Gronk

Day/Time: Wednesday, December 18^th at 9 pm Eastern

TV: ESPN

Where: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA

Both schools have gone through some transition this season. UNLV was just one win away, the conference championship game against Boise State, from being in the College Football Playoff. The Rebels are in a bowl game for just the sixth time ever. The season was an unmitigated success at 10-3. And now the guy who led them to success, head coach Barry Odom is already out the door, having taken the job at Purdue. Receivers coach Del Alexander will coach the Rebels in the bowl game. After that former Florida and Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen takes over the program. UNLV comes into the game ranked 24^th in the country.

Cal is Up and Down

Cal had its own transition moving from playing in the old Pac-12 conference to the ACC. Justin Wilcox’s team finished 6-6 overall but struggled in the new conference. Cal was 2-6 in the ACC. Two missed field goals cost them the conference game against Florida State. They proceeded to lose Miami by one point, Pitt by two, and NC State by one. It was a season of what else could have been.

The Bears are outstanding on third-down defense, giving up a first-down conversion just 30% of the time. The defense is also on the plus side when it comes to turnovers. Cal’s defense has forced 22 opponent turnovers, while its offense has lost the ball 17 times.

Cal’s offense has struggled, particularly with keeping defenses out of the backfield. And now quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who managed to find his way to ACC quarterback of the week a couple of times announced last week that he is going into the transfer portal.

New offensive assistant Bryan Harsin, the former Auburn head coach, joined the staff two weeks ago. He will be the one figuring out how to best utilize quarterback Chandler Rogers who will replace Mendoza. Rogers is already at his third school in four years. He spent two seasons at Louisiana Monroe and one at North Texas, prior to his arrival at Cal. He appeared in eight games this year but only attempted 25 passes.

UNLV’s Transition

While UNLV is in a state of transition, the Rebels’ defense has been a staple of the team all season long. Linebacker Jackson Woodard led the team in with 124. He also had 17 tackles for loss, including three-and-a-half sacks. Woodard also has four interceptions on the season. He was 12^th in the country in the tackles for loss category this season. And this is coming off a 2023 season where he had 116 tackles.

The Rebels allowed 350 yards per game which put them in the top 50 in the country. But Cal, with its starting quarterback, was only 69^th in the country in total offense. And now with the change at signal caller and the lack of a consistent run game, UNLV’s defense looks to be the storyline going into the game, provided no one jumps into the transfer portal over the next couple of days.

If UNLV can put aside all the coaching distractions they have a chance for one of the best seasons in program history with 11 wins. Cal needs the win for a winning season in what has been a true roller coaster ride. But losing to a Group of Five school would completely fit the Bears’ narrative for the year.

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Michigan football is halfway there. Six games in, six to go. Maybe seven to go, depending on these next six. You know what? For everyone’s sanity, let’s just shoot for six and go from there.

How have the Wolverines’ past opponents done thus far? Let’s take a gander.

Fresno State (3-3, 1-1 in Mountain West)

When they played Michigan: A 30-10 Wolverine victory that foretold the arrival of Kalel Mullings…and the eventual departure of Davis Warren.

What’s happened since: The Bulldogs walloped on FCS Sacramento State and two teams from The Land of Enchantment – New Mexico and New Mexico State. They averaged 44 points per game in those contests. Hajj-Malik Williams and a surging UNLV put a stop to all that, 59-14. The Bulldogs then lost to Washington State, 25-17.

Still to come: Washington State was their toughest remaining opponent. The rest of the season is fairly light, including a season finale against last-in-the-Big Ten UCLA. The Bulldogs look like a good bet to finish above .500, as long as the Bulldogs aren’t too traumatized from their one night in Vegas.

Key Component: Quarterback Mikey Keene. Keene is a smaller quarterback, but also a spark plug with a quick release and toughness to spare. On one hand, he currently sports an 8:8 touchdown: interception ratio on the season. On the other, their remaining schedule doesn’t feature many intimidating defenses. If Keene can improve ball security while continuing to Grit It Up, it bodes well for head coach Tim Skipper’s interim tenure.

Texas (6-0, 2-0 in SEC)

When they played Michigan: It was not great.

What’s happened since: A week after dismantling Michigan, Quinn Ewers sustained an oblique injury against UTSA. Arch Manning entered in his stead and the Longhorns missed zero beats. Must be nice. Ewers came back for the Red River Rivalry and, after shaking off the rust, led Texas to an exceedingly comfortable 34-3 win.

Still to come: Next up is a Georgia team that looks tough but mortal this year. If they can survive that, they’ll be in the driver’s seat the rest of the way and almost certainly bound for a top seed in the Playoff. That is, of course, unless the Diego Pavia Experience in Nashville has anything to say about it.

Key Component: Health and injury avoidance, at this point. Steve Sarkisian looks like he’s having a blast calling this offense, and the defense hasn’t allowed more than 13 points in any game this season. If they get past Georgia, the #1 seed beckons.

Arkansas State (3-3, 1-1 in Sun Belt)

When they played Michigan: A 28-18 Wolverine victory that wasn’t as close as the final score would have you believe.

What’s happened since: Incredibly lopsided losses to Iowa State and Texas State. In the middle, they nail-bit their way to a last-second win over South Alabama. The Red Wolves do not look like a great team this year. Despite the previous bullet point’s assertion that Michigan’s win was better than it looked…it also feels worse knowing that ASU is currently 115th in FPI.

Still to come: Butch Jones will have a good shot to end up on the right side of the box score against a reeling Southern Miss team up next. The rest of the Sun Belt is generally bunched toward the bottom of FBS rankings. As such, the remaining schedule is full of tossups.

Key Components: Linebacker Marvin Ham and wide receiver Corey Rucker. Both are in the top five at their positions in the conference. In this conference, sometimes a few star players are the difference between a Good Season and a Bad Season.

USC (3-3, 1-3 in Big Ten)

When they played Michigan: 27-24, Michigan. It’s not often you can pass for 32 yards and win, but that’s what the box score says happened, and so we are honor-bound to believe it.

What’s happened since: A resounding win over Wisconsin (good!). Subsequently, the Trojans choked away near-wins against Minnesota and Penn State (not as good!). For Lincoln Riley and anyone with a vested interest in Lincoln Riley, it might be dangerously close to Panic Mode time in University Park. That being said…

Still to come: The season is salvageable. There are tough but beatable opponents left on the schedule: Maryland, Rutgers, Nebraska, and Washington. There’s a probable win at UCLA and a toss-up finale hosting Notre Dame. Win out and it’s a 9-3 season. Any more slip-ups and Riley’s seat could get hot, fast.

Key Component: Shutting the door. In all seriousness, USC is statistically a top-25 team. They’ve unfortunately dropped some brutal one-score games in Scott Frost-ian fashion. Nonetheless, D’Anton Lynn’s defense still looks massively improved over last year’s tackle-averse outfit. Plus, it’s still a Riley offense with Woody Marks, Miller Moss, and a million wide receivers. They just need to show up and close out the fourth quarter.

Minnesota (4-3, 2-2 in Big Ten)

When they played Michigan: 27-24, Michigan. Not trying to be repetitive, it’s just what happened.

What’s happened since: A gutsy 24-17 win over USC, then a late rally to beat lowly UCLA, 21-17.

Still to come: Maryland, Illinois, Rutgers, Penn State, and Wisconsin. Nothing is guaranteed in either direction, except probably a loss to the Nittany Lions. Otherwise, the Gophers are probably going bowling at the very least.

Key Component: Offensive identity. P.J. Fleck continues to lean on quarterback Max Brosmer for 30+ passes per game. If they’re going to survive the rest of the schedule, they’ll need a strong running game to help keep Brosmer clean. It’s been a staple of Fleck’s past offenses, and if it can’t resurface they might be in trouble down the stretch.

Washington (4-3, 2-2 in Big Ten)

When they played Michigan: 27-24, Michigan. Kidding, of course. 27-17, Huskies. They stormed the field, it was a whole thing.

What’s happened since:  A 40-16 defenestration by Iowa, which is considered a rite of passage in the Big Ten. Washington was hoping for some Midwestern kindness and got two hefty scoops of Kaleb Johnson (188 total yards, three TDs) instead.

Still to come: It’s only getting harder for the Huskies, who still have to play top-3 teams Penn State and Oregon, plus currently 16th-ranked Indiana and a ticked-off USC.

Key Component: Crossing the finish line. Washington continues to move the ball, but not with any regularity to the most crucial part of the field (the end zone). There’s hope for the future in Seattle with what Jedd Fisch is building, but the present is a disappointing number of stalled drives and points left on the field.

Next up, we’ll review Michigan’s remaining opponents. Spoiler alert: they’re going to be difficult.

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