For Boise State, years of being the best program outside the power conference have finally culminated in a chance to play for the national title. Undefeated seasons in 2006 and 2009 ended with Fiesta Bowl wins but came before the four-team Playoff. This season is Boise’s 10th with 12 wins since 2002.

While third-seeded Boise State enjoyed a first-round bye for the College Football Playoff, No. 6 Penn State put together one of its best performances of the sea

The Nittany Lions have won seven Fiesta Bowl games, the most of any school, and are looking to make it eight when they take on Boise State on New Year’s Eve (7:30 p.m., ESPN) in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. The winner of the game in Glendale, Ariz., will face the winner of Georgia-Notre Dame (Sugar Bowl) in the semifinals.

Jess Mruzik made 29 kills with a .315 hitting percentage, and Katie Schumacher-Cawley became the first female coach to win a NCAA volleyball championship as Penn State defeated Louisville 3-1 in Sunday’s final.

Penn State claimed its eighth national championship in the sport, while coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley made history.