After losing the Big Ten Championship game on Saturday night to the Oregon Ducks, the Penn State Nittany Lions, who rank sixth in the nation, found out on Sunday they will host the number eleven rank Southern Methodist University Mustangs on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at noon on TNT. The winner of the first round will play the Boise State Broncos in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 7:30 pm on ESPN.
This season, Penn State finished 11-2 in the regular season. The Nittany Lions averaged 448.6 total yards per game, 246.5 passing yards per game, 202.2 rushing yards per game, 35.2 points per game, and 60 touchdowns. Penn State allowed 282.1 total yards per game, 178.5 passing yards per game, 103.6 rushing yards per game, 16.39 points per game, and 22 touchdowns.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has completed 224 of 324 passes (69.1%) for 2,894 yards, 21 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 72 carries for 363 yards, and six touchdowns. Running back Nicholas Singleton has 131 carries for 838 yards, 7 touchdowns, 37 catches for 335 yards, and five touchdowns, while Kaytron Allen has 173 carries for 822 yards, six touchdowns, 15 catches for 119 yards, and two touchdowns.
Tight end Tyler Warren leads the receivers with 88 catches for 1,062 yards, six touchdowns, 23 carries for 191 yards, and four touchdowns, while Harrison Wallace III made 39 catches for 638 yards and four touchdowns.
The Southern Methodist Mustangs finished 11-2 in 2024, losing to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game 34-31. SMU averaged 443.1 total yards per game, 267.0 passing yards per game, 176.1 rushing yards per game, 38.54 points per game, and 61 touchdowns. SMU has allowed 20.85 points per game, 93.4 rushing yards per game, 232.69 passing yards per game, 326.1 total yards per game, and 34 touchdowns. Defensive back Jaylen Reed leads the team with 79 tackles (43 solos, 36 assists), and defensive end Abdul Carter leads the team in sacks (10).
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings has completed 227 of 344 passes (66%) for 3,050 yards, 22 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 93 carries for 379 yards, and five touchdowns. Running back Brashard Smith has 217 carries for 1,270 yards, 14 touchdowns, 35 catches for 303 yards, and four touchdowns.
Wide receiver Roderick Daniels Jr. leads the team in receiving making 38 catches for 599 yards, and three touchdowns, while Key’Shawn Smith made 31 catches for 512 yards, and five touchdowns. Linebacker Kobe Wilson leads the team with 110 tackles (50 solos, 60 assists), and defensive end Jahfari Harvey leads the team in sacks (7).
