A double-overtime thriller, Big Ten rematch in college football's most iconic venue, an upset of a traditional powerhouse, run game battles and trick plays. The first quarter-finals of the revamped College Football Playoff lived up to the billing.
Penn State shuts down Boise State, 31-14.
Having dismissed SMU 38-10 in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Penn State smothered running back Ashton Jeanty and Boise State in a dominant 31-14 Fiesta Bowl victory, punching their ticket to the semi-finals. The Nittany Lions’ defense, led by Zakee Wheatley’s interception and fumble recovery, stifled Boise State's star back. The Heisman Trophy runner-up was reduced to 106 yards, down from his 185.7 yards per game average. This left Jeanty an agonising 27 yards short of Barry Sanders' 1988 single-season rushing record.
Drew Allar threw three touchdown passes as Penn State jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. Boise State, known for embracing the underdog role since their iconic 2007 Fiesta Bowl win, clawed back to keep it competitive but couldn’t overcome Penn State’s relentless defense and efficient offense.
The Nittany Lions controlled the line of scrimmage and shut down the running lanes for Jeanty while their prolific running backs, Kaetron Allen and Nick Singleton, combined for 221 total yards. Tight end Tyler Warren added two touchdowns.
With their second playoff win, Penn State will face Notre Dame for a place in the national championship final which kicks off later tonight. Boise State (12-2) exits after a valiant effort to cap an impressive season, but couldn’t find enough answers to Penn State’s stifling defense.
Texas survives Arizona State in a double-overtime thriller, 39-31.
In an unforgettable College Football Playoff quarter-final, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers delivered a critical touchdown pass on a fourth-and-13 play to Matthew Golden in the dying moments of overtime, salvaging the Longhorns’ season and paving the way for a dramatic 39-31 double-overtime victory over Arizona State. Andrew Mukuba’s game-sealing interception clinched the win, keeping Texas’ national championship dreams alive.
The Longhorns built a commanding 17-3 half-time lead behind explosive plays, including a 23-yard touchdown from Ewers to DeAndre Moore and a 75-yard punt return from Silas Bolden. But Arizona State, a 14-point underdog, refused to quit. Running back Cam Skattebo, who entered this encounter averaging 130.7 rushing yards per game, delivered a heroic performance. His late-game heroics included a 2-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion to tie the game at 24-24, erasing a 16-point deficit. Skattebo accounted for an astonishing 284 offensive yards, 134 on the ground, 99 receiving yards and a 42-yard touchdown pass, delivered on a huge fourth-and-two play.
The Longhorns' fast start stalled in the second half as the Sun Devils’ defense tightened. Arizona State, led by redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, capitalised on Texas miscues and penalties to claw back into the game. The Longhorns, however, regained momentum in overtime, responding to Arizona State’s opening score with a 28-yard strike from Ewers to Golden on fourth down. In the second overtime, Ewers connected with tight end Gunnar Helm for a 25-yard touchdown and added a two-point conversion to Golden.
Mukuba sealed the victory with his fifth interception of the season, cutting short Arizona State’s final drive. Despite missing two potential game-winning field goals, Texas showcased the resilience that will serve them well in their semi-final against Ohio State.
“The one thing I know about our group is when our backs are against the wall, our best shows up. The resiliency these guys showed today makes you proud as a coach.” - Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Ohio State dominates Oregon in Rose Bowl, 41-21.
Ohio State appears to be a team reborn after their deflating loss to Michigan at the tail end of the regular season. The revitalised Buckeyes dismantled a previously unbeaten and top-ranked Oregon 41-21 in the historic Rose Bowl to avenge their early season loss in Eugene and secure their spot in the College Football Playoff semi-finals.
Quarterback Will Howard threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, including two to standout freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith, who dazzled with 187 receiving yards on seven receptions. TreVeyon Henderson added a 66-yard touchdown run as Ohio State scored four plays of 40+ yards. The Buckeyes' defense shut down Oregon’s high-powered offense, sacking quarterback Dillon Gabriel eight times.
The Buckeyes started quickly, with Smith scoring a 45-yard touchdown just 49 seconds into the game. Howard followed with a 42-yard strike to Emeka Egbuka, and Smith added another 42-yard score early in the second quarter. By the time Henderson sprinted down the sideline for his touchdown, Ohio State led 31-0, leaving Oregon reeling.
Oregon salvaged a late first-half touchdown, but the Big Ten champions couldn’t recover. Missing star receiver Evan Stewart, the Ducks struggled to replicate the big plays that had carried them through an undefeated season. Traeshon Holden had 116 receiving yard and two touchdowns. Ohio State's defensive line was suffocating, limiting Oregon to an extraordinary -23 rushing yards.
“This team brought the fight, and we got hit in the mouth. They were the better team today.” Oregon coach Dan Lanning.
Ohio State now moves on to face Texas in the semi-final at the Cotton Bowl tomorrow night, with a berth in the national championship on the line.
Notre Dame upsets Georgia, 23-10.
Notre Dame earned a tough victory over SEC champions Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, dominating on defense. A critical 17-point swing before and after half-time propelled the Fighting Irish past the Bulldogs.
With less than a minute left in the first half, giving the Irish a 6-3 lead. Moments later, Notre Dame’s defense delivered a game-changing strip-sack on Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton, setting up Irish quarterback Riley Leonard’s touchdown pass to Beaux Collins to give Notre Dame a 13-3 lead at the break.
Notre Dame opened the second half explosively as Jayden Harrison returned the kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, widening the lead to 20-3. From there, Notre Dame leaned on its defense and run game to seal the win.
Despite Leonard being held to just 90 passing yards, he showcased his ability to extend plays, leading all rushers with 80 yards on 14 carries, while Notre Dame’s fifth-ranked defense forced two fumbles and kept Georgia scoreless on two key fourth-down attempts.
Stockton threw for 234 yards and a late touchdown, but Georgia’s inability to finish drives and Notre Dame’s opportunistic defense proved decisive. The Irish gained just 244 total yards— the lowest in a CFP win— but made every yard count, extending their nation-leading winning streak to 12 games.
Notre Dame will now face Penn State tonight in the Orange Bowl, just two wins away from a national championship, almost unthinkable after their Week Two shock loss to Northern Illinois.
Across The Pond College Football
In the latest episode of our Across The Pond College Football, Tony and I break down all the action from the College Football Playoff quarter-finals, including Tony’s first hand account of Ohio State’s commanding win over Oregon at the iconic Rose Bowl.
Looking ahead, we preview a thrilling semi-final weekend and make our predictions.
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