Penn State controls SMU, wins 38-10 in CFP first round matchup Emergency USA

Penn State took care of business at home against SMU, cruising to a 28-point victory over the Mustangs. The Nittany Lions have punched their ticket to the quarterfinals, taking on Ashton Jeanty and Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. 

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

SMU tallied just 253 yards of total offense in the freezing conditions. The Nittany Lions rushing duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen totaled 160 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. 

The Mustangs open 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 a pair of false starts stalled the drive. The Mustangs still trail by four possessions, 28-3.

Penn State recovered an onside kick from SMU on the ensuing kickoff.  

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

The Mustangs recorded just 129 yards of total 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 failed to convert again as Kevin Jennings threw his third interception of the day. Dominic DeLuca batted the ball in the air before coming down with his second interception of the first half. 

Penn State takes over midway through the second quarter. 

PENN STATE GETS THEIR 3RD INT OF THE FIRST HALF 😳

WHAT IS HAPPENING?! pic.twitter.com/Jh9Gf9dWqU

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 21, 2024

Kevin Jennings throws his second pick six of the day. Linebacker Tony Rojas made a handful of Mustangs miss 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 opts to go for it on 4th and 13 on the SMU 29-yard line rather than kicking a field goal. The Mustangs pressured Drew Allar, forcing an incompletion out wide. 

SMU takes over in its own territory. 

The Nittany Lions strike first, as Penn State’s Dominic Deluca returned Kevin Jenning’s errant throw 21 yards for a touchdown. SMU trails 7-0 with six minutes to play in the first quarter. 

PENN STATE WITH AN EARLY PICK-SIX 🔥

BEAVER STADIUM IS LOUD 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/VX9iQPmwN8

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 21, 2024

Game two of the 12-team College Football Playoff is set to kick off at 12 p.m. ET on TNT and Max. SMU and Penn State will battle in the sub-30-degree weather, with the winner advancing to face Ashton Jeanty and Boise State.

Follow along here for live updates and highlights throughout the game. 

Rolling in. #CFBPlayoff • #WeAre pic.twitter.com/awxrj8GbNp

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

Less than two hours to go until Penn State and SMU collide in the College Football Playoff.

An electric atmosphere in Happy Valley awaits.

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

— Sports on Max (@SportsonMax) December 21, 2024

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

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