This year’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal round officially wrapped up on Monday, with the semifinal matchups now set for next week.
No. 6 Penn State def. No. 3 Boise State state 31-14
- No. 6 Penn State defeated No. 3 Boise State 31-14 in the Fiesta Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff Semifinal. Penn State dominated Boise State early in the game, jumping out to a 14-0 lead. A Penn State fumble gave Boise State an opportunity to keep the game close, but they were unable to take the lead. Boise State managed to close the gap to within three points early in the third quarter, but Penn State pulled away, capitalizing on two missed Boise State field goals. A 58-yard rushing touchdown by Nicholas Singleton in the fourth quarter iced the game for Penn State. Penn State will now face No. 7 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on January 9th.
No. 5 Texas def. No. 4 Arizona State 39-31 in 2OT
- No. 5 Texas defeated No. 4 Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in the Peach Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. This game has been the best game of this year’s inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Texas jumped out to an early two-touchdown lead, but Arizona State rallied to tie the game at 24 with just over five minutes remaining in regulation. Despite numerous opportunities, Arizona State struggled to capitalize, getting stopped on fourth down in Texas territory three times and having a field goal blocked at the end of the first half. Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo was named the MVP of the game despite the loss, with his strong performance. He recorded 30 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns, 8 receptions for 99 yards, and even completed a single pass attempt for a 42-yard touchdown. Ultimately, Texas secured the victory in double overtime and will face No. 8 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on January 10th.
No. 8 Ohio State def. No. 1 Oregon 41-21
- No. 8 Ohio State defeated No. 1 Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. Playing at the Rose Bowl, Ohio State got off to a scorching start, scoring on six of their first seven drives to take a commanding 34-0 lead in the first half. Although Oregon had defeated Ohio State in October, the Buckeyes capitalized on this second chance with higher stakes, delivering a dominant performance to secure the win. Ohio State will now face No. 5 Texas in the Cotton Bowl on January 10th.
No. 7 Notre Dame def. No. 2 Georgia 23-10
- No. 7 Notre Dame defeated No. 2 Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. The highlight of the game came during a sequence where Notre Dame scored 17 points in just 54 seconds, with a field goal, a forced fumble that led to a touchdown, and a second-half kickoff return for a touchdown to take a commanding 20-3 lead. Georgia had an opportunity to mount a comeback with about eight minutes remaining, trailing by two touchdowns. However, Notre Dame executed a clever move on a 4th-and-1 play, quickly rushing the punting team off the field to bring the offense back on. Using a hard count, Notre Dame drew two Georgia defenders into the neutral zone, earning an offsides penalty and a free first down to seal the victory. Notre Dame will now face No. 6 Penn State in the Orange Bowl on January 9th.
College Football Playoff Semifinal Matchups
- No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on January 10th
- No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on January 9th
