QUOTE OF THE WEEK QUOTE THE WEEK
“Regardless, I was going to wear it anyways. I wouldn’t be here without Boise State. Just want to represent my school. I feel like it’s important.”
- Unlike the other 2024 Heisman finalists, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty chose to wear his Boise State team gear during media interviews and photos in New York City
BOISE STATE VS. PENN STATE/SMU
Boise State, a three-time Fiesta Bowl champion and 2024 Mountain West Conference Champions, earned the No. 3 seed and a first-round bye into the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at State Farm Stadium.
The Broncos defeated Arizona, 38-30, in 2014 marking their third Fiesta Bowl victory in nine seasons. Boise State previously claimed Fiesta Bowl wins, most notably in 2007 versus Oklahoma and in 2010 against TCU.
The Broncos bring one of the top offenses to Arizona, ranking fourth in the FBS in scoring offense (39.1) and sixth in total offense (470.2). Leading the charge is Ashton Jeanty, the nation’s leading-rusher with 2,497 yards – only 131 yards shy of Barry Sanders’ FBS all-time record of 2,628 set in 1988. Jeanty has six games with at least 200 yards rushing this season and six games with at least three touchdowns. While Jeanty garners the headlines, Maddux Madsen has excelled in his first full season as Boise State’s starting quarterback. Madsen has thrown for 2,714 yards with 22 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
Head Coach Spencer Danielson – the Mountain West Coach of the Year – has a stout Broncos defense as well. The former Boise State defensive coordinator has guided the Broncos to the 24th-ranked run defense in the country allowing 115.1 yards per game. Boise State pressures opposing quarterbacks as well as any team in the nation, ranking second with 51 team sacks led by All-Mountain West defensive ends Jayden VirginMorgan and Ahmed Hassanein.
The Broncos will meet the winner of the CFP First Round matchup between No. 6 Penn State and No. 11 SMU. The first-ever CFP Quarterfinal is set to kickoff at 5:30 p.m. PHX on ESPN. Tickets are available at fiestabowl.org/tickets.
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 6 Penn State and No. 11 SMU will battle to advance to the first-ever CFP Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
Penn State (11-2) heads into the CFP following a 45-37 loss to No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten Championship game. The Nittany Lions boast one of the nation’s top defenses, ranking sixth in total defense (282.1) and eighth in scoring defense (16.4). At the head of the unit is Abdul Carter, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Carter is a force, leading the team with 19.5 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks. Tight end Tyler Warren, with totals of 88 receptions and 1,062 yards, was named the Mackey Award winner.
SMU’s nine-game winning streak came to an end in a 34-31 loss to then No. 17 Clemson in the ACC Championship, but an undefeated 8-0 debut conference campaign lifted the Mustangs (11-2) to the CFP. SMU is the sixth-highest scoring team in the country at 38.5 points per game and are led by Kevin Jennings, who has thrown for 3,050 yards and 22 touchdowns. Brashard Smith, a First Team All-ACC running back, averages nearly six yards per carry with totals of 1,270 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Kickoff is set for 10:00 a.m. PHX on Saturday, December 21, on TNT.
2024 RATE BOWL GAME PREVIEW
RUTGERS
VS. KANSAS STATE
In Bowl Season’s only Big Ten vs. Big 12 matchup, the 2024 Rate Bowl will feature the second-ever meeting between Rutgers and Kansas State. Kickoff is Thursday, December 26, 2024, at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.
Rutgers (7-5, 4-5 Big Ten) is making its second all-time Rate Bowl appearance and will spar with Rate Bowl veteran Kansas State (8-4, 5-4 Big 12). The Wildcats are making their Rate Bowl record fifth appearance with a 3-1 mark in their previous trips.
Rutgers had a strong finish to the regular season, winning three of its final four games in large part to running back Kyle Monangai, who has notched career highs across the board with 256 carries, 1,279 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has thrown for 2,459 passing yards this season, eighth-most in Rutgers history.
Kansas State is one of only eight FBS schools to win at least eight games in each of the past four seasons. Kansas State is a dominant rushing team behind the trio of DJ Giddens, who declared for the NFL Draft, Dylan Edwards and quarterback Avery Johnson. Kansas State entered conference championship weekend with the No. 18 rushing offense in the country at 204.5 yards per game. Kansas State averages 5.86 rushing yards per carry and 6.5 offensive yards per play – both of which are the top marks in school history. Johnson showcased his dual threat talents with his 548 rushing yards and six touchdowns to rank second on the team behind Giddens. Johnson also threw for 2,517 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. PHX December 26 on ESPN.
50/50 RAFFLE
The 2024 50/50 Raffle will consist of a progressive jackpot with tickets available for purchase starting on December 26, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. MST until the end of the third quarter of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl game on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
All proceeds will impact Fiesta Bowl Charities and its mission: to enhance organizations that contribute to the success of their communities through youth, sports and education. Through its two annual bowl games in the Valley and community events throughout the year, Fiesta Bowl Charities has selected 22 Arizona nonprofits through its 2024-25 Grant Cycle. In addition, the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program provides much-needed funding directly to teachers and their classrooms.
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FAN FEST PREGAME PARTIES
It wouldn’t be college football without a proper tailgate party and who doesn’t love fun, food, and music before a big game? Featuring food trucks, tailgate games, bars and more, Fan Fest will serve as an exciting gathering point for fans. Fan Fest will be returning to downtown Phoenix for the Rate Bowl, located at 4th St. and Jackson, from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m.
Tens of thousands of college football fans will enjoy the Fan Fest pregame party at the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl starting at 12:30 p.m. Located on Maryland Ave., fans can enjoy a variety of activations and the opportunity to take a photo with the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl trophy.
The Fan Fest Pregame Party, a non-ticketed block party is open to fans of all ages. For more information, please email tickets@fiestabowl.org or call 480-350-0911.
THE PARADE IS ON ITS WAY!
With excitement building for the first-ever College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and the expansion into a 12-team format, the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe will celebrate the tradition of Arizona’s vibrant community groups, thrilling marching bands and one-of-a-kind floats while ushering into the next iteration of college football.
This year’s parade returns to the heart of Bowl Season, with the two-mile march through Central Phoenix on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m., three days before the CFP Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on December 31 and days following the Rate Bowl in Downtown Phoenix.
One of the most inspirational sports journeys in Arizona history will be celebrated when Anthony Robles, an Arizonan and 2011 NCAA Wrestling Champion, serves as the Parade Grand Marshal. Born without his right leg, Robles began his career at Arizona State as a walk-on but overcame extreme obstacles to become a three-time AllAmerican. He capped his Sun Devils career by winning the 2011 national championship in the 125-pound class, defeating the defending champion in the final match. Robles’ incredible story is captured in the new film “Unstoppable” by Amazon MGM Studios and will be released globally on Prime Video January 16, 2025.
CFP QUARTERFINAL AT THE Vrbo FIESTA BOWL
DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 5:30 PM
RATE BOWL
DECEMBER 26, 2024 | 3:30 PM