What did Boise State's players have to say about Penn State during Fiesta Bowl media day?

Both Penn State and Boise State met with the media Sunday morning in Phoenix, Ariz., for media day ahead of this year’s Fiesta Bowl.

Despite being the higher seed and having the Heisman Trophy runner-up in Ashton Jeanty, the Nittany Lions are 11-point favorites currently. If you ask those within Boise State’s program, they’re just fine in the underdog role, even arriving in Phoenix wearing t-shirts with the phrase “Please count us out” earlier this week.

“Definitely didn’t plan on it becoming a shirt. I can promise you that,” said Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson when asked about the motto.

But when asked about Penn State’s team during Saturday’s media day, Danielson and multiple Boise State players were more than complimentary when it comes to what the Nittany Lions have to offer.

Below are some of the more notable comments.

Head coach Spencer Danielson summarizes Penn State

Danielson on Penn State: First off, extremely well-coached. I have a ton of respect for James Franklin, what he’s done this year and what he’s done for years at Penn State even prior. In all three phases, very well-coached.

They have got great personnel, too. They have done a great job recruiting, they have done a great job developing as well. Guys that came in as freshmen kept getting better year in and year out.

Across all three phases, extremely well-coached, very talented. It’s a team that does play together. They play complementary football, good defense, explosive offense. They find a way to change the game on special teams.

You see the teams they play and you don’t see one game where it’s not that way. They are a resilient group in all three phases, well-coached, great personnel. We know we are going to get their absolute best on Tuesday night.”

Drew Allar’s Pocket Presence & PSU’s RBs have Boise’s Attention

Despite being pressured 125 times this season, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has only been sacked 15 times. According to Pro Football Focus, that percentage ranks 23rd nationally out of 143 quarterbacks who have totaled at least 150 dropbacks this season. That’s pretty good for a player who’s rarely credited for his athleticism.

Boise State’s defensive ends, Ahmed Hassanein and Jayden Virgin-Morgan, were both complimentary of Allar’s pocket presence when asked about him on Sunday.

“The fact that he’s mobile and he’s a bigger guy,” said Virgin-Morgan when asked about Allar’s strengths. “A lot of people try to tackle him above the waist. One of the biggest things we’ve been working on is tackling through the motors [legs], trying to get him down as easily as possible.

“Just having to be able to tackle a bigger guy and the fact that he is elusive and he can get out of the pocket makes it a lot more difficult.”

Link: Key Takeaways from Penn State’s media day session at the Fiesta Bowl

Hassanein had a similar take.

“He’s a much bigger body. If you watched the film, they don’t get him down. He’s a big quarterback and a heavy quarterback to get down,” he said. “Our goal is just to aim low and target low on him and, at the end of the day, man, just being relentless and having fun. That’s what it’s all about.”

Virgin-Morgan also went out of his way to credit Penn State’s offensive line.

“[They have] some really athletic offensive linemen. Their protections are different. It’s a lot harder to get around.”

However, when asked what specifically impressed him the most about Penn State’s offense, Virgin-Morgan pointed to Penn State’s running backs, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

“The dynamic duo with their running backs,” Virgin-Morgan said. “They have an impressive running game, and that’s going to be an extremely hard thing to stop, as well as all the shifts and motions they have to confuse the defense. It’s going to be a good competition, for sure.”

PSU’s Defensive Line Could Prove to be the Difference

Boise State’s offensive line has paved the way for one of the best single seasons we’ve ever seen from a running back in college football history. Their front clearly deserves respect no matter who the opponent is, but it’s also fair to say that Penn State should prove to be the toughest challenge that they’ve seen since Oregon early in the season.

Of course, edge rusher Abdul Carter is currently projected to be a top-five pick in the NFL Draft. That made him a popular topic among Boise State’s offensive linemen.

“He’s a great player, and we respect everyone,” said left guard Ben Dooley. “We gave him his due time. He’s a phenomenal player. We have a plan for him. I’m excited to go play against him.”

Redshirt sophomore left tackle Kage Casey will be the one tasked with stopping Carter for the majority of snaps.

Link: Penn State’s defensive DNA may be the key to slowing down RB Ashton Jeanty

“He’s insanely athletic, extremely twitchy,” Casey said. “He has a lot of hesitation moves that he gets offensive tackles to get a little off balance and reposition their weight. I think that’s the big thing we’ve got to work on – both left and right side – is just being confident in our spot and setting and just reading his shoulders and where he’s pointing. Just the whole defensive line in total. They are very twitchy.”

Defensive tackle Zane Durant was specifically noted by Jeanty when asked if there was any one specific defensive player who he believed was underrated after watching the film.

“I wouldn’t say he’s underrated. I know the interior guy’s kind of get overlooked,” Jeanty said. “But to me, Zane Durant, 28, he’s baller. Me and Coach [James] Montgomery, we’ve been talking about him since we’ve been game-planning. He’s a great player. He’s going to give us a run for our money.”

Jeanty went on to add, “He’s explosive, man. Getting off blocks. Not too many D-linemen have shifts to make the mid guys miss and being forced in the run game and getting to the quarterback. Then you see his effort. He’s chasing down on the backside of plays, making plays for his team. So, he’s just a great all-around player.”