Penn State Nittany Lions College Football Pregame Quote, 12/28/2024

DENISE SEOMIN: On behalf of the Fiesta Sports Foundation family, I am pleased to welcome Penn State to the 54th Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. This historic game, the first-ever CFP playoff Quarterfinal, will also serve as the inaugural meeting between the Nittany Lions and the Boise State Broncos.

Penn State, making its eighth all-time appearance in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, advanced in the College Football Playoff by virtue of a first round 38-10 home win against SMU.

The Nittany Lions are undefeated in their seven previous Fiesta Bowl matchups, the most of any school. They return to the Valley of Sun for the first time since posting a 35-28 victory over Washington in 2017. Penn State also notably defeated Miami 14-10 in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, which doubled as the national championship game.

As I just mentioned, this is your eighth Fiesta Bowl appearance. You’re 7-0. What does that mean for the legacy of Penn State as you come in to this? How does that factor into your preparation, knowing that you are 7-0 and you want to maintain that undefeated opportunity.

SAL WORMLEY: Of course we want to stay undefeated, keep the record going. But our main focus is always being 1-0, worrying about the game ahead of us. I just think that comes, just being 1-0, we’ll continue the legacy and keep us going, moving forward.

RILEY THOMPSON: Sal said it perfectly. We instill that 1-0 mindset. Our preparation each week doesn’t change. We know every game of the season, there is so much at stake. We prepare the same every week, knowing how much is at stake. As Sal said, 1-0 always.

Q. How cool is it to be blocking for a pair of outstanding running backs [Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen] and a quarterback [Drew Allar] — you’re a big part of that offense. They may get the glory, but you got the skill in the trenches.

SAL WORMLEY: It’s amazing. We were making the blocks and the guys reading the hole perfectly, or he’s doing something to make you correct that you might have messed up, but he’s making it right for you. It’s just amazing having those two athletes in the backfield with us.

You can’t forget, Drew Allar be running that ball sometimes, too. He knows how to read. He gets low. He’s not the fastest guy, but he is pretty big. But it’s nice to have those three guys behind us the whole time.

Q. Riley, who’s your hero?

RILEY THOMPSON: I would have to say my dad. He’s guided me through life. He’s instilled all the values that I hold most dearest to me. I look up to him. I’m lucky enough that he’s made the journey halfway across the country to come and watch me play this game, so I’m pretty excited that I’ll get to see him out there in the stands.

DENISE SEOMIN: What do you think are the three keys to the game for you on New Year’s Eve?

SAL WORMLEY: My three keys, the biggest one, of course, is winning in the trenches. The O-line/D-line competition because it always starts up front. That’s the main thing for every game, no matter what it is. It always starts with the O-linemen.

After that, turnovers and explosive plays, the two biggest key factors in college football. I feel like if we win all three of those, we’ll win the game.

RILEY THOMPSON: I agree with Sal for sure on those three. But as a punter, I have to say special teams is going to come into play.

DENISE SEOMIN: Thank you, everyone, for joining us tonight. Congratulations to Penn State on their Quarterfinal here at the CFP.