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By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
Some pre-game notes as Penn State attempts to ring in 2025 with a win over Boise State:
When the bowl matchups were announced, the Broncos got the Nittany Lions' attention early on with their 37-34 loss to Oregon in Eugene.
Penn State had trouble matching the Ducks' speed and couldn't get a handle on their explosive passing game.
Boise, meanwhile, might well have won the game had it not collapsed on special teams as the Broncos allowed a punt return and kickoff return for a touchdown.
The Lions have spent extra time on the Boise film since their matchup with Oregon was so recent (Dec. 7 in the Big Ten final).
In fact, James Franklin said the Ducks "were the only game you have to watch," because of the familiarity.
"They not only played well and lost by three, but had the lead for significant parts of that game," Franklin said. "It doesn't take a whole lot more than watching that game. For our players and our staff, whenever you share a common opponent and you're able to watch that game and make some parallels, there's a ton of value in that."
Mimicking Jeanty
Walk-on running back Tyler Holzworth has been mimicking Boise State star Ashton Jeanty in Fiesta Bowl workouts.
Holzworth is a 220-pounder who called the role "an honor," to give scout-team looks of the Heisman Trophy runnerup to the first-team defense.
Penn State's defense is entirely focused on gang-tackling and getting multiple tacklers around Jeanty, who is credited with 1800-plus yards after contact this season.
Plan B
Maddux Madsen ended up winning the starting quarterback job over Malachi Nelson, who transferred from Oklahoma to USC with Lincoln Riley.
Shows you that sometimes recruiting services are wrong as Madsen is a three-star, and Nelson is a five-star.
NFL exit
There are multiple deadlines this month for players to declare for the NFL Draft, depending if they're participating in the CFP.
Of the players with another year, once Penn State's season is over, expect the likes of Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Zane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton and others to issue their decisions.
Abdul Carter is a foregone conclusion since he's expected to be among the top five players selected.
Tyler Warren has played five years and is expected to come out.
Drew Allar previously announced he's returning for 2025.
Fond memories
Terry Smith, PSU's associate head coach and cornerbacks coach and the senior assistant on James Franklin's staff, committed to the Nittany Lions after their greatest win - the 14-10 win over Miami right here in the desert.
He can remember every play of the game and called the game "the ultimate."
"You're part of an organization that is the best in the country," he said during a media availability Sunday. "It elevated the program and the university."
Smith's cousin, Marques Henderson, was a starter on that team.
"It's a moment we all cherish and a moment we all want again," Smith said. "We beat a team we weren't supposed to be beat."
Suddenly the Lions are now two wins from playing for the national title again.
"This is exciting," Smith said. "We can't take these moments for granted because it's been since then ... and now we have an opportunity to do something again from way back. Our guys now have an opportunity to create new history."
Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.