How Penn State achieved its first 13-win season and a historic playoff run
In short: After years of near-misses, the 2024 Nittany Lions rewrote the program's history books. From clinching their first Big Ten Championship appearance since 2016 to securing a landmark top-five national ranking, this season marked a definitive ascent for James Franklin's squad.
The 2024 campaign was defined by a series of historic milestones for the Pennsylvania State University program. Under the leadership of head coach James Franklin, who was entering his 11th year at the helm, the Nittany Lions navigated a demanding schedule to finish with a 13–3 record. This achievement represented the first time in the program's history that the team reached 13 wins in a single season.
The momentum built during the regular season's final stretch, specifically following a 44–7 victory over Maryland. Combined with a Michigan win over Ohio State, Penn State secured its first appearance in the Big Ten Championship game since their 2016 loss to the Oregon Ducks. This run propelled the team into the College Football Playoff for the first time ever, a feat that fundamentally altered the program's recent trajectory.
The postseason provided a rollercoaster of high-stakes victories and narrow defeats. In the opening round of the playoffs, the Nittany Lions dominated the No. 11 seed SMU with a 38–10 win at Beaver Stadium, where they had maintained an impressive average home attendance of 108,379. They followed this with a 31–14 victory over the No. 3 seed Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.
The journey ultimately concluded in the Orange Bowl, a CFP Semifinal matchup against the No. 7 seed Notre Dame. In a tightly contested battle, Penn State narrowly fell 27–24, missing out on the National Championship. Despite the loss, the season ended on a high note of prestige, with the team earning a No. 5 ranking in both major final polls—their first top-five finish since the 2005 season.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2024 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
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