Penn State Football

Penn State’s Fiesta Bowl is about 2,000 miles from Happy Valley. That didn’t stop these fans

GLENDALE, ARIZ.

Depending on how you measure it, Penn State’s latest College Football Playoff destination was more than 2,000 miles away from Happy Valley in central Pennsylvania.

But that still didn’t stop some Nittany Lions fans from finding their way to the state of Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl.

Members of the alumni association, which has a Phoenix chapter, showed up for the game Tuesday. And thousands of Penn State fans flew — with closer fans driving — to descend on State Farm Stadium and watch their team upend Boise State 31-14 and continue their memorable playoff run.

Here’s a closer look at those Penn State fans at the Fiesta Bowl:

Penn State fans Casey Brown and Pete Davis pose for a photo outside of State Farm Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Penn State fans Casey Brown and Pete Davis pose for a photo outside of State Farm Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Tim Detish throws a football as he hangs outside of State Farm Stadium before the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Tim Detish throws a football as he hangs outside of State Farm Stadium before the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Boise State and Penn State fans hang outside of State Farm Stadium before the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Boise State and Penn State fans hang outside of State Farm Stadium before the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans from Scranton sing along to the “YMCA” outside of State Farm Stadium before the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Penn State fans from Scranton sing along to the “YMCA” outside of State Farm Stadium before the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans outside tailgate outside of State Farm Stadium before the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Penn State fans outside tailgate outside of State Farm Stadium before the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State wide receiver Tre Wallace high-fives fans as he arrives at State Farm Stadium for the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Penn State wide receiver Tre Wallace high-fives fans as he arrives at State Farm Stadium for the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans cheer as the team warms up for the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State at State Farm Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Penn State fans cheer as the team warms up for the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State at State Farm Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans cheer as the team warms up for the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State at State Farm Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Penn State fans cheer as the team warms up for the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State at State Farm Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans cheer as the team warms up for the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State at State Farm Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Penn State fans cheer as the team warms up for the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State at State Farm Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans cheer as the team warms up for the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State at State Farm Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
Penn State fans cheer as the team warms up for the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State at State Farm Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State’s student section cheers during the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Penn State’s student section cheers during the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans hold a sign during the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Penn State fans hold a sign during the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State fans celebrate a play during the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Penn State fans celebrate a play during the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State linebacker Dominic DeLuca greets family and fans after the win over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Penn State linebacker Dominic DeLuca greets family and fans after the win over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 at State Farm Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com

This story was originally published December 31, 2024 at 5:44 PM.

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