Recap: Penn State punches ticket to CFP quarterfinals with blowout win over SMU
STATE COLLEGE — No. 6 Penn State meets No. 11 SMU today at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is set for Noon ET on TNT. This is your home for live updates as the College Football Playoff first round matchup unfolds. Note: This page does not update automatically. Please refresh this page often for the latest information.
Penn State wins 38-10
12/21/2024 02:22:37 PMThe Nittany Lions dominated SMU for most of this 60-minute contest at Beaver Stadium. It marks the Lions’ first College Football Playoff win, and the 100th of James Frankin’s career in State College. PSU will face Boise State in the CFP quarterfinals on New Year’s Eve at the Fiesta Bowl.
Touchdown, SMU
12/21/2024 02:13:26 PMTouchdown, SMU: It’s a 28-yard touchdown pass from Jennings to Daniels. The extra point is good. Penn State 38, SMU 10 with 7:31 to go.
Penn State throws a pick
12/21/2024 02:07:05 PMEthan Grunkemeyer’s first college pass is picked off. It bounced off Trey Wallace’s hands and into a waiting SMU’s defender’s arms. The Mustangs take over at the PSU 42 trailing 38-3 with 9:59 to go.
SMU punts again
12/21/2024 02:01:41 PMPenn State takes over at its own 43 with 10:42 to go.
Penn State scores again
12/21/2024 01:54:08 PMTouchdown, Penn State: Kaytron Allen has his second score of the day. This one comes from four yards out. The Lions now lead SMU 37-3 with 12:56 to play.
The third quarter is over
12/21/2024 01:43:52 PMPenn State is 15 minutes away from its first College Football Playoff victory. The Lions lead SMU 31-3 at the end of the third quarter. PSU has a 2nd and 6 at the SMU to start the fourth quarter.
SMU misses a field goal
12/21/2024 01:37:06 PMSMU’s field goal is no good. Abdul Carter’s third down sack pushed the Mustangs back. Penn State 31, SMU 3 with 3:22 left in the third quarter.
A date is set for the 2025 Blue-White game
12/21/2024 01:32:41 PMSome mid-game news for next year: The 2025 Penn State Blue-White game will take place on April 26.
Penn State adds a field goal
12/21/2024 01:24:53 PMRyan Barker’s 40-yard field goal is good. Penn State 31, SMU 3 with 8:13 to go in the third quarter.
SMU gets on the board
12/21/2024 01:16:42 PMA fine first drive of the second half for SMU stalls in the red zone. But, the Mustangs’ 28-yard field goal is good. Penn State 28, SMU 3 with 10:59 to go in the third quarter.
The second half is underway
12/21/2024 01:09:38 PMThe Penn State-SMU second half is underway. A nice return for the Mustangs have them set up at their own 47.
HALFTIME
12/21/2024 12:45:48 PMHALFTIME: Penn State 28, SMU 0. The Nittany Lions have a 201-129 yards advantage. SMU has thrown two pick sixes. The Mustangs get it to start the second half.
James Franklin to the Penn State Sports Network: “It comes down to being able to get pressure and stay in coverage. If you can stay in coverage you have a chance and obviously we did that. They’re a good defense. The wind has been an issue. We were able to get the running game going which is the most important thing.”
Touchdown Penn State
12/21/2024 12:38:58 PMTouchdown, Penn State: Nick Singleton runs in from a yard out. The Lions lead SMU 28-0 with 1:03 left in the first half.
It’s two minute timeout time
12/21/2024 12:31:36 PMIt’s two minute timeout time at Beaver Stadium. Penn State leads SMU 21-0. It has 3rd and 7 at the Mustangs’ 20 coming out of the break.
Penn State gets a turnover on downs
12/21/2024 12:27:51 PMSack: Dani Dennis-Sutton drops Kevin Jennings for a loss on 4th and 3. It looks like the SMU QB is hurt, as well. Penn State takes over at the Mustangs’ 38 with 3:17 to go in the first half.
Touchdown, Penn State
12/21/2024 12:20:43 PMTouchdown, Penn State: Kaytron Allen races into the end zone from 25 yards out. The Nittany Lions now lead SMU 21-0 on the back of two pick-sixes and the Allen scoring scamper.
Penn State gets another interception
12/21/2024 12:11:38 PMInterception: Kevin Jennings bails out Penn State as Dom DeLuca comes down with his second turnover of the game. The Lions take back over at their own 25 with 8:06 left in the first half.
Penn State fails to convert deep in its own territory
12/21/2024 12:09:24 PMPenn State went for it on 4th and 1 at its own 19 and on the initial spot did not get it. SMU will take over deep in Nittany Lions’ territory with 9:32 left in the first half.
Penn State gets a stop
12/21/2024 12:05:45 PMKevin Jennings’ third down pass falls incomplete. SMU will punt again with 11:07 left in the first half. The Lions lead 14-0 and take over at their own 10.
Penn State gets another pick six
12/21/2024 11:59:05 AMTouchdown, Penn State: A Tony Rojas interception is returned for a touchdown. That’s the Lions’ second pick six of the day. PSU 14, SMU 0 with 13:09 left in the first half.
The first quarter is in the books
12/21/2024 11:48:29 AMEnd of one at Beaver Stadium: Penn State 7, SMU 0. Mustangs have 1st and 10 at their own 39 to start the second quarter.
Turnover on downs for Penn State
12/21/2024 11:44:47 AMDrew Allar is sacked on 3rd and 8. Roberts got home for SMU. Penn State is going to line up to go for it on 4th and 13 at the SMU 29 on a windy day at Beaver Stadium. Allar’s pass fell incomplete and the Mustangs take over at their own 29 with 1:41 left in the first quarter.
Penn State gets a stop
12/21/2024 11:37:04 AMPenn State stacks up Smith on 3rd and 1. It’s fourth and 2 and SMU will punt it back to the Lions with under five minutes to go in the first quarter. PSU takes over at its own 32.
Touchdown Penn State
12/21/2024 11:31:17 AMTouchdown, Penn State: It’s a pick six for Dom DeLuca. The Lions go up 7-0 on SMU in the first quarter at Beaver Stadium.
Penn State punts again
12/21/2024 11:29:14 AMDrew Allar’s third down pass falls incomplete. Trey Wallace never had a chance to catch it. Penn State will punt it back to SMU with just under seven minutes to go in the first quarter. Mustangs take over at their own 20.
Lions get a fourth down stop
12/21/2024 11:21:14 AMKevin Jennings had all the room in the world to run for a first down on 4th and 1. Instead, he threw to an open Matt Hibner but it fell incomplete. Big break for Penn State, which takes over at its own 19.
Penn State goes three and out
12/21/2024 11:13:37 AMPenn State goes three and out on its first drive. Three straight throws from the Lions netted just seven yards. SMU takes over at its own 32.
The game is underway
12/21/2024 11:10:37 AMNick Singleton returns the opening kickoff to the Penn State 30. The Lions start there.
Penn State will get the ball first
12/21/2024 11:08:52 AMSMU wins the toss and defers. Penn State will have the ball first at Beaver Stadium. The College Football Playoff round one matchup starts in moments at Beaver Stadium.
Warmups have wrapped
12/21/2024 10:52:10 AMEthan Grunkemeyer handled the backup quarterback duties as expected. Starters are the regulars for Penn State. Kickoff is set for 12:10 p.m. ET.
Warmups are underway
12/21/2024 09:58:53 AMBoth teams arrived around 10 a.m. ET and took the field at 11 a.m. ET.
The Penn State injury report is out
12/21/2024 09:57:51 AMFor Penn State, receivers Kaden Saunders and Tyseer Denmark, safety KJ Winston Jr., running back Cam Wallace, linebacker Keon Wylie, tight end Andrew Rappleyea, defensive tackles Alonzo Ford and Kaleb Artis, tackle Anthony Donkoh, and defensive end Zuriah Fisher are OUT. Cornerback Elliot Washington and safety Tyrece Mills are questionable.
SMU is not required to release an injury report. So, any updates from the Mustangs will come later today.
