Boise State lands in Phoenix for Fiesta Bowl. See the scene as Broncos tout a team message
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Boise State in the College Football Playoff
The Broncos played Penn State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal Fiesta Bowl in Arizona on Dec. 31, 2024.
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Landing on a private strip at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Saturday afternoon, the blue carpet was literally rolled out for the Boise State football team.
That blue carpet was juxtaposed with a sea of yellow jackets waiting to greet the Broncos as they arrived in Phoenix for the Fiesta Bowl. The jackets were worn by Fiesta Bowl committee members, dozens of which were in attendance as the Broncos touched down.
As the Boise State players made their way down the airplane ramp and passed through the welcoming committee members, they were then greeted by a sea of cheering fans. From children to old men, fans held “Welcome Boise State” signs and rocked Boise State gear.
A fleet of Boise State team buses, driven down from the Treasure Valley, awaited the team at the runway. Before the players could even make it that far, a couple of fortunate fans got the opportunity to have their signs signed by redshirt sophomore quarterback Maddux Madsen and senior defensive end Ahmed Hassanein.
Shortly after, the pair of players sat at a table in a white tent off to the side of the runway, conducting a press conference just moments after setting foot in Arizona as planes still jetted overhead.
“I never thought that this was in the cards,” Madsen said about the fanfare around their arrival. “But it’s awesome to be in this position. I know we’re both very grateful for every little bit of it.”
Many players wore T-shirts with the slogan “Please count us out,” which has become synonymous with the program in recent weeks.
As the first player to walk out of the plane, Hassanein wore his shirt on full display. When asked about it, Madsen unzipped his jacket to reveal a matching shirt underneath.
“We’ve always been counted out. When we come here, every single time, BSU has been counted out,” Hassanein said.
The Broncos are a perfect 3-0 in Fiesta Bowls, having been considered underdogs every time they’ve made the trip down to Phoenix. History is repeating itself, with oddsmakers putting the No. 3-seeded Broncos as 12-point underdogs against No. 6 Penn State. It’s also worth noting that the Nittany Lions are also 7-0 in Fiesta Bowls and have won the bowl more than any other program.
“We just want to prove them wrong,” Hassanein said. “Because when we step on that field, he’s just a human being just like me. He eats just like me. He sleeps just like me. So, might as well just stick it to them.”
Boise State and Penn State will kick off in the Fiesta Bowl, which also acts as the quarterfinal round for the College Football Playoff, at 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time on New Year’s Eve.
This story was originally published December 28, 2024 at 6:58 PM.
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