Penn State Football: 2017 Fiesta Bowl Position Grades

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Tight end Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with fans after defeating the Washington Huskies in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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A major bowl win for Penn State football cemented the best season since 2005. The Nittany Lions defeated Washington 35-28 Saturday.

They don’t get more satisfying than that. Penn State football had to hold on for dear life, but it came away victorious. The Nittany Lions finished with the same amount of wins as last year, but it obviously felt better ending with a win this time around.

The win saw every single unit play great football from the skill players to the big guys in the trenches. James Franklin got that signature bowl win he was still missing. His head coaching career has jumped up another peg.

Penn State’s gameplan put up loads of production. The offense racked up 545 yards of offense and 35 points, while the defense cut down the Huskies to just 331 yards and 28 points. It wasn’t the cleanest at times, but winners win, plain and simple.

For the first time since 2005, the Nittany Lions came away with a big-time bowl win and took the necessary steps forward to a national title. Entering 2018 fans should be encouraged. Saquon Barkley moves on, but this group returns a lot talent including the Fiesta Bowl’s MVP on the next slide.

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