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Penn State vs. SMU final score, results: Nittany Lions capitalize on turnovers, overpower Mustangs to claim College Football Playoff win | Sporting News

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Penn State vs. SMU final score, results: Nittany Lions capitalize on turnovers, overpower Mustangs to claim College Football Playoff win | Sporting News

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Two pick-sixes, three rushing touchdowns and three sacks later, Penn State has booked a trip to the Fiesta Bowl.

The Nittany Lions, hosting their first College Football Playoff game in program history on Saturday, dominated SMU 38-10 behind a dominant two-way performance. Playing in freezing temperatures in Beaver Stadium, Penn State ran away with the matchup in the first half, picking off Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings three times while taking a 28-0 lead into the break. 

With the victory, James Franklin’s squad improved to an overall 12-2 record this season and took its first step toward a potential National Championship appearance, while SMU’s strong run through the 2024 regular season and into the playoffs came to an end.

Penn State will play No. 3 seed Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve. 

Penn State’s defense got the matchup going by forcing early turnovers, as two Nittany Lions linebackers — Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas — each grabbed a pass from Jennings and returned it for a touchdown. Before Franklin’s offense even found a rhythm, his team held a 14-0 lead.

Jennings’ struggles continued throughout the second quarter, as he was picked off for a third time. Behind its running back duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, Penn State’s ground game began to feast from there, as Allen and Singleton eventually combined for 160 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (127 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions) didn’t have to do much thanks to his team’s strong run game and defensive performance.

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights on Saturday as Penn State hosted SMU in the first round of the 2024 College Football playoff. Here’s what you may have missed. 

MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS:

Penn State vs. SMU score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
SMU 0 0 3 7 10
Penn State 7 21 3 7 38

SN’s PLAYOFF HQ: Live CFP scores | Updated CFP bracket | Full CFP schedule

Penn State vs. SMU updates, results, highlights from 2024 College Football Playoff

(All times ET)

3:30 p.m. — That’ll do it, as Penn State’s offense runs the clock down. The Nittany Lions will advance in the CFP bracket to face Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. 

3:21 p.m. — Penn State punts with under three minutes left. SMU will look to get another late score. 

Penn State 38, SMU 10

3:13 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — The Mustangs have found the end zone. Jennings goes to Roderick Daniels Jr. for a late touchdown, which ultimately won’t affect the result of this playoff matchup, but SMU does break double-digit points. 

3:05 p.m. — Penn State put its new backup quarterback, true freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer, into the game, but the first pass of his collegiate career is tipped and intercepted by SMU. 

3:01 p.m. — Jennings’ pass on third and long falls incomplete, and SMU still hasn’t found the end zone today. The Mustangs punt with just over 10 minutes remaining. 

Penn State 38, SMU 3

2:54 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Allen scores his second touchdown of the game, punching the ball in from four yards out. Penn State makes it a 38-3 lead early in the fourth quarter, with SMU having virtually no chances of completing a playoff comeback effort by now. 

End of third quarter: Penn State 31, SMU 3

2:44 p.m. — The third quarter comes to a close with Penn State’s offense driving into SMU territory. Owning a comfortable 28-point lead, the Nittany Lions appear to be on their way to a Fiesta Bowl berth. 

2:36 p.m. — Projected NFL Draft first-round pick Abdul Carter has officially made his presence felt in this playoff matchup, as he sacks Jennings on a 3rd & 7 for a loss of 18 yards. That forces SMU to attempt a 42-yard field goal, which is no good. 

2:33 p.m. — SMU is once again threatening its first touchdown. Jennings went down the field to WR Jordan Hudson, who hauled it in for a 22-yard gain, and the Mustangs now have 1st & Goal. 

2:28 p.m. — Almost a packed house at Beaver Stadium this afternoon:

Penn State 31, SMU 3

2:24 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Ryan Barker connects on a 40-yard field goal attempt, pushing the Penn State lead back to 28 points. 

2:20 p.m. — Singleton picks up 18 yards on the ground on Penn State’s first offensive play of the second half. 

Penn State 28, SMU 3

2:17 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The Mustangs are finally on the board. Penn State’s defense came through with a few stops near the goal line, but SMU gets its first points on a 28-yard field goal. 

2:12 p.m. — The Mustangs are moving down the field, as they got a chunk of yards from a personal foul on Penn State. Beaver Stadium is getting loud once again as SMU approaches the end zone, looking for its first points of the game. 

2:08 p.m. — SMU gets the ball to begin the second half.

1:47 p.m. — Jennings has struggled mightily in this matchup so far. His halftime numbers: 9-for-19, 77 yards, no touchdowns, three interceptions. 

Halftime: Penn State 28, SMU 0

1:44 p.m. — Penn State’s front seven gets to Jennings again, sacking him for the second time today. The quarterback’s struggles continue, and SMU punts shortly after. This playoff matchup goes to halftime with the Nittany Lions owning a massive advantage. 

Penn State 28, SMU 0

1:39 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Singleton punches it in, and Penn State is completely rolling right now. Both offensively and defensively, the Nittany Lions have been dominant in the first half. 

1:30 p.m. — Franklin’s offense is feeding Singleton as time ticks down in the second quarter. Penn State is within range to add onto its 21-point total thus far. 

1:27 p.m. — Penn State continues its huge defensive performance, sacking Jennings on 4th & 3. Dani Dennis-Sutton brings him down, and the Nittany Lions take over once again with a few minutes remaining in the first half. 

Penn State 21, SMU 0

1:20 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Penn State went no-huddle, leaving a wide open gap on the left side of the field for running back Kaytron Allen. He runs 25 yards for the touchdown, giving the Nittany Lions a comfortable 21-0 advantage. 

1:12 p.m. — Kevin Jennings is having a nightmare first half. SMU’s quarterback is picked off yet again, his third interception of the first half, and it comes with the Mustangs approaching the end zone. Penn State’s defense is on a turnover stampede right now. 

1:09 p.m. — Penn State opts to go for a fourth down on its own 19-yard line … and comes up short. SMU gets a prime scoring opportunity with a big defensive stop. 

1:07 p.m. — SMU punted after Jennings was nearly intercepted for a third time on 3rd & 9. The Mustangs still can’t find an offensive rhythm, and the turnovers have only made things worse. 

1:05 p.m. — A massive start to the CFP for the Nittany Lions’ defense: 

Penn State 14, SMU 0

12:59 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Another Penn State pick-six. The Nittany Lions’ defense makes Beaver Stadium erupt once again, as LB Tony Rojas picks off Jennings and returns it for 59 yards into the end zone. The Nittany Lions haven’t had an offensive touchdown, yet lead 14-0. 

12:55 p.m. — Beaver Stadium gets loud for an upcoming SMU play on 3rd & 16, and Jennings calls for a timeout as the noise grows. The Mustangs will need a big play to stay on the field early in the second quarter. 

End of first quarter: Penn State 7, SMU 0

12:49 p.m. — As the first quarter comes to a close, SMU barely picks up a first down on 3rd & 5. The DeLuca pick-six has lifted Penn State up on the scoreboard, but otherwise, neither squad’s offense has been able to string together solid drives. 

12:45 p.m. — The Nittany Lions turn it over on downs. Franklin went for it on 4th & 13 in SMU territory and Allar managed to get away from pressure, but his pass to Kaytron Allen was incomplete. The Mustangs’ defense gets a key stop. 

12:40 p.m. — Penn State’s offense is now on the move, with a 14-yard rush from Nicholas Singleton bringing the squad into SMU territory. 

12:36 p.m. — SMU goes three-and-out following Penn State’s pick-six. James Franklin’s defense is finding an early rhythm behind its home crowd.

Penn State 7, SMU 0

12:31 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Dominic DeLuca comes up with a huge pick-six for Penn State after its offense struggled on its opening drives. Kevin Jennings was looking for his running back, Brashard Smith, but DeLuca snags the ball and returns it 21 yards into the end zone. Nittany Lions lead 7-0. 

12:28 p.m. — Penn State picked up one first down, but that’s all it gets on its second drive. Allar’s pass to Harrison Wallace III falls incomplete on third down. 

12:22 p.m. — The Nittany Lions’ defense comes up with a huge fourth-down stop. Zakee Wheatley knocks the ball away from tight end Matthew Hibner, who was open near the goal line and nearly gave SMU the lead. Instead, Penn State takes over on downs. 

12:15 p.m. — Kevin Jennings goes deep to Key’Shawn Smith, and there’s a pass interference call on Penn State’s Jalen Kimber. A 15-yard penalty puts the Mustangs into scoring territory quickly. 

12:11 p.m. — Penn State goes three-and-out on its opening drive. On 3rd & 3, Drew Allar looked to flip the ball to a receiver while getting pressure, but it falls short for an incompletion. The Mustangs will get their first opportunity. 

12:09 p.m. — SMU wins the coin toss and defers. Penn State will get the ball first. 

12:07 p.m. — James Franklin has led Penn State onto the field, and they’re about to kick off in State College.

11:40 a.m. — We’re approaching game time in Beaver Stadium, the first of three CFP matchups on Saturday.

11:19 a.m. — Kevin Jennings is looking to help lead SMU to an upset victory on the road.

11:16 a.m. — A good look at Drew Allar, Penn State’s second-year starting quarterback, warming up for his first playoff matchup:

11:12 a.m. — Abdul Carter, who wears Micah Parsons’ old Penn State No. 11 jersey, is one of the stars playing in this matchup:

10:21 a.m. — Not many surprises in the Nittany Lions’ availability report. Cornerback Elliot Washington remains questionable for this matchup, while freshman WR Tyseer Denmark is out:

10:18 a.m. — The scene at Beaver Stadium this morning, where Penn State is hosting its first-ever College Football Playoff game:

Penn State vs. SMU start time

  • Day: December 21, 2024
  • Time: 12 p.m. ET

The Nittany Lions and Mustangs will face off at noon ET on Saturday. The first-round playoff matchup will be played at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL AWARDS

What channel is Penn State vs. SMU on today?

  • TV Channel: TNT
  • Streaming: HBO Max, Sling

Saturday’s matchup between Penn State and SMU will be broadcast on TNT. Streaming options include HBO Max or Sling.

College Football Playoff schedule 2024

Friday, Dec. 20

Matchup/Result Time (ET) TV Channel
Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17 8 p.m. ABC/ESPN

Saturday, Dec. 21

Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
SMU at Penn State 12 p.m. TNT
Clemson at Texas 4 p.m. TNT
Tennessee at Ohio State 8 p.m. ABC/ESPN

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