Penn State takes simple approach during ride into CFP semifinals

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Football coaches, perhaps more than in other sports, are huge proponents of structure, routine, consistent messaging.

Since the early days of his time in Happy Valley, Penn State's James Franklin has adhered to the philosophy of 1-0.

Yes, it's a cliche. One day at a time, one play at a time, one game at a time — a mantra heard across the sports world almost daily.

Franklin's players have bought into it wholeheartedly, pushing the program to new heights and farther away from a scandal that threatened to pull the program under.

''I wouldn't say it's overly unique, but I'm a big believer in being present,'' Franklin said Tuesday nigh after Penn State's Fiesta Bowl victory. ''For a lot of our guys, it's helpful when things are going crazy, they're being pulled in a thousand directions and you can take a deep breath and focus on, whether it's 1-0 or our core values.''

Franklin's philosophy has been on point through the first two rounds of the College Football Playoff.

No. 6 seed Penn State (13-2) opened with a blowout win over SMU in front of a deafening home crowd and kept rolling through the quarterfinals, overpowering No. 8 Boise State 31-14 in the Fiesta Bowl.

The Fiesta Bowl win earned the Nittany Lions a spot in the Orange Bowl Jan. 9 against the winner between No. 2 Georgia and No. 3 Notre Dame in a Sugar Bowl pushed back to Thursday due to the deadly New Orleans truck attack early Wednesday.

The other CFP semifinal was determined Wednesday: No. 6 Ohio State will play No. 3 Texas in the Jan. 10 Cotton Bowl.

The Buckeyes (12-2, CFP No. 8 seed) got a bit of revenge against top-ranked Oregon with a 42-21 blowout of the Ducks in the Rose Bowl. Ohio State has been stellar since a disheartening loss to rival Michigan, opening the CFP with two lopsided wins.

The physical Buckeyes manhandled the Ducks from the start, building a 34-point lead to cruise into the semifinals.

''You can see the potential of where we're at, when we play in all three phases the way we did,'' Ohio State coach Ryan Day said.

Texas blew a 16-point and had to overcome Cam Skattebo's monster game to beat No. 10 Arizona State 39-31 in the Peach Bowl.

''We weren't at our best and it felt like an NCAA March Madness basketball game with the swings of emotions and things,'' Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. ''I'm just proud of these guys because not every game is going to be pretty and not every game is just going to go exactly how you want it to go.''

Penn State has gotten things right under Franklin in a long climb from under the shadow of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal that sent the late revered coach Joe Paterno into exile and put a massive stain on a program that had been a standard bearer for college football.

Franklin steadily rebuilt the Nittany Lions with consistent messaging and attention to detail that's culminated in three straight New Year's Six bowls.

Penn State reached the CFP for the first time this year behind a team that's as complete as any in the country.

''We knew who we were going against. We knew we had to have hats to the ball every single play because every play he could break one,'' said Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley, who had an interception and recovered a fumble. ''We did that the whole game.''

Penn State's offense has been well-balance all season.

The Nittany Lions may not have a back like Jeanty, but the combination of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton proved two is better than one Heisman Trophy finalist — at least for one night. They combined for 1,820 yards and 16 touchdowns before the Fiesta Bowl and were key cogs in the win over Boise State.

Allen ran for 135 yards and Singleton had a spirit-crushing 58-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Tyler Warren won the John Mackey Award as the nation's best tight end and had a massive imprint on the Fiesta Bowl, catching two touchdown passes.

Penn State's quarterback faced criticism all season, yet kept winning. He was sharp most of the night at the Fiesta Bowl, throwing three touchdowns into ultra-tight windows.

''We played a complete game — offense, defense, and special teams, complementary football,'' Franklin said. ''Did some special things tonight.''

They've been doing it all season long, winning the 1-0 game 13 times — and counting.

___