GLENDALE, Ariz. (WPVI) — Penn State advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinals after defeating Boise State 31-14 during the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday night.

Nittany Lions fans were loud at City Tap at Center City Philadelphia during the game on New Year’s Eve.

As soon as the date for the Fiesta Bowl between Penn State and Boise State was announced, fans had plans for the holiday.

“It’s the typical Penn State energy, the typical Philadelphia energy, so it’s exciting to be here,” King of Prussia’s Molly Mulbihill said.

Organizers of the New Year’s Eve Two-Fer at City Tap said nearly 300 people were expected to come and enjoy the game and the New Year’s Eve festivities they had already planned.

“We’re just looking forward to watching the game and seeing the ball drop straight after. It’s the best time of the year,” said Janine Cima, events manager at City Tap & Marketing. “Everyone’s in a good mood, the energy is good, so we’re just really excited!”

Penn State stops Ashton Jeanty

Drew Allar threw three touchdown passes and Penn State edged Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty to win.

The Nittany Lions (13-2, CFP No. 6 seed) opened their first CFP berth with a blowout win over SMU and appeared to be on their way to the latest lopsided win in the new 12-team format, with Boise State took a 14-0 lead over SMU.

But the Broncos (12-2, CFP No. 3 seed) have relished the role of underdogs ever since their brand became nationally known in the electrifying 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

The Broncos galloped back from the early hole and got within 17-14 on Matt Lauter’s 53-yard touchdown catch midway through the third quarter.

Penn State squashed Boise State’s recent comeback bid.

Allar threw his second touchdown pass to John Mackey Award winner Tyler Warren, and Nick Singleton rushed up the middle for a 58-yard TD run, sending the Nittany Lions to the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 against No. 2 Georgia or No. 3 Notre Dame.

Penn State accomplished this by controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and shutting down Jeanty’s running routes most of the night. The AP first-team All-America selection finished the season with a season-low 104 yards on 30 carries, 27 yards shy of Barry Sanders’ NCAA single-season record.

Allar was criticized throughout the season, described as boring and a game manager. He was sharp early, finding Warren in the back of the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown, then Omari Evans, who scored a 38-yard touchdown.

The Broncos fought back by putting pressure on Allar and appeared to change the momentum when they picked off the Penn State quarterback two plays after Jeanty lost his third fumble of the season.

Boise State then turned to Tyler Crowe, not Jeanty, and the fullback took multiple Nittany Lions for an 8-yard touchdown that cut Penn State’s lead in half. The comeback still seemed within reach with Lauter’s TD, but the Broncos fell apart after that.

Maddux Madsen threw three interceptions and Jonah Dalmas missed his second field goal, causing the Broncos to miss the CFP semifinals.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.