Penn State took care of things at home against SMU, securing a 28-point win over the Mustangs. The Nittany Lions have punched their ticket to the quarterfinals and will face Ashton Jeanty and Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.

James Franklin’s team took an early 7-0 lead with a pick-six, but the game got out of hand for the Mustangs in the second quarter. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings threw his second pick-six early in the quarter before throwing his third interception five minutes later. Penn State’s offense found its rhythm, scoring two rushing touchdowns in the final five minutes of the first half and taking a 28-0 lead into halftime.

SMU managed just 253 yards of total offense in frigid temperatures. The Nittany Lions’ rushing duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen totaled 160 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

The Mustangs opened the second half with a nine-play, 42-yard field goal drive. SMU reached Penn State’s 5-yard line, but a swarming Nittany Lion defense and two false starts stalled the drive. The Mustangs still trail by four possessions, 28-3.

Penn State recovered an onside kick on SMU’s ensuing kickoff.

Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton scored the Nittany Lions’ fourth touchdown with a minute left in the first half. James Franklin’s team leads 28-0 heading into the locker room behind two pick-sixes.

The Mustangs recorded just 129 total yards of offense in the first 30 minutes. Kevin Jennings also threw three interceptions.

SMU stopped Penn State on 4th-and-1 on its own 19-yard line. However, the Mustangs once again failed to convert as Kevin Jennings threw his third interception of the day. Dominic DeLuca hit the ball in the air before going down for his second interception of the first half.

Penn State takes over midway through the second quarter.

PENN STATE RECEIVES THEIR 3RD INT IN THE FIRST HALF 😳

WHAT HAPPENS?! pic.twitter.com/Jh9Gf9dWqU

– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 21, 2024

Kevin Jennings throws his second pick on day six. Linebacker Tony Rojas missed a handful of misses by the Mustangs as he returned the interception 59 yards for the score.

Penn State leads 14-0 early in the second quarter.

PENN STATE WITH ANOTHER PICK SIX😱

pic.twitter.com/3a494xkLLL

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 21, 2024

Likely due to the freezing temperatures, James Franklin elects to punt on 4th-and-13 at the SMU 29-yard line instead of kicking a field goal. The Mustangs pressured Drew Allar and forced an incompletion on goal.

SMU takes over in its own territory.

The Nittany Lions struck first as Penn State’s Dominic Deluca returned Kevin Jennings’ missed throw 21 yards for a touchdown. SMU trailed 7-0 with six minutes left in the first quarter.

PENN STATE WITH AN EARLY PICK-SIX 🔥

The Beaver Stadium is loud 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/VX9iQPmwN8

– Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 21, 2024

The second game of the 12-team College Football Playoff begins at noon ET on TNT and Max. SMU and Penn State will compete in temperatures below 30 degrees, with the winner facing Ashton Jeanty and Boise State.

Follow here for live updates and highlights during the game.

Roll up. #CFBPlayoff • #We are pic.twitter.com/awxrj8GbNp

– College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) December 21, 2024

In less than two hours, Penn State and SMU meet in the College Football Playoff.

An electric atmosphere awaits you in Happy Valley.

Tune in for kickoff at 12:00 p.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/y5hQFIrbAH

– Sport on Max (@SportsonMax) December 21, 2024

No. 6 Penn State hosts No. 11 SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21 at Beaver Stadium.

• WHEN: 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21st
• TV:TNT
• STREAMING: MAX