Two of Penn State’s veterans played up to their billing under pressure Tuesday night.
Tight end Tyler Warren and safety Zakee Wheatley were named the Fiesta Bowl offensive and defensive players of the game, respectively, after a 31-14 Penn State win over Boise State.
Warren, who broke yet another Penn State record for single-season receptions during the game, has shown up in big moments all season. The seventh-place finisher in Heisman Trophy voting recorded six catches for 63 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both of which were highlight-worthy catches. He bounced back from a few first-half drops and continued a stretch of clutch play for the Nittany Lions.
Warren was the first tight end named Fiesta Bowl offensive player of the game since Boise State’s Kyle Efaw in 2010. He was also just the third tight end to score multiple receiving touchdowns in the Fiesta Bowl (Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer in 2022, Florida State’s Reggie Johnson in 1990).
Wheatley, who recently announced his intention to return to Penn State in 2025, has played by far his best football as a Nittany Lions this season. He finished Tuesday night’s game with three tackles and a pair of impactful turnovers.
Wheatley recovered an Ashton Jeanty fumble in the first quarter as the Broncos marched toward midfield. Though Penn State fumbled on its own ensuing drive, Wheatley’s play — an acrobatic one on the sideline — helped slow Boise State momentum.
The multiple-time “turnover king” in camp struck again to open the fourth quarter, intercepting Boise State’s Maddux Madsen. Wheatley caught the pass on his own 13-yard line, denying a Boise State scoring chance, and returned it 28 yards to set Penn State up with better field position. The Nittany Lions, though, punted after a three-and-out.
Penn State now moves on to the national semifinals and will play the winner of Georgia-Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, which kicks off at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday night.
