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WATCH: Penn State coach James Franklin, Boise State coach Spencer Danielson, hold final news conference before Fiesta Bowl

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•12/30/24•

GregPickel

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — No. 6 Penn State and No. 3 Boise State have completed their media obligations ahead of their College Football Playoff quarterfinal round matchup at the Fiesta Bowl. James Franklin, who is in his 11th season as the leader of the Nittany Lions, and Spencer Danielson, who is in his first season as the Broncos head coach, held a joint news conference here on Monday, one day before they meet at 7:30 p.m. ET Tuesday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on ESPN.

“Our team’s excited,” Danielson said. “Boise State has been here before. It’s been a decade since we’ve been here, so it’s been a while. And obviously, this is the first time it’s ever been a Fiesta Bowl and a College Football Playoff game. So just making sure our guys focus on, it’s all about their work. Regardless how big the game is, how big the stage is, how bright the lights are, it’s all about earning the right to play our best. And tomorrow night, our goal is to get all the prep in and then go cut loose.

“So excited for our guys. We’re looking forward to the game tomorrow night. We got to continue to finish up our prep.”

Watch the Penn State-Boise State joint news conference video below. Can’t see the embed? CLICK HERE.

Franklin looked back at his team’s Playoff-opening win over SMU in his opening statement.

“It’s really a one game season, 65 plays on offense, 65 plays on defense is about what we’ve been averaging, about 24 on special teams,” Franklin said. “And we better approach each one of those reps like their gold. And our guys did a really good job of that. And obviously, played well. I thought it was important for us.

“Not very often that in a Playoff game, you’re able to get your backups in the game in the fourth quarter, which for us, and our quarterback situation, was important. So that was valuable as well. And we’re just trying to keep that momentum going, which we’re going to need against a really good Boise State team.”

Penn State is an 11.5-point favorite over the Broncos. The Moutain West Conference champions have taken an underdog mindset all week. Will it lead to a victory? Or, will the Lions win their second CFP game? Blue-White Illustrated will have live updates from Arizona and complete coverage before, during, and after kickoff on Tuesday.

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