Penn State’s thrilling 35-28 victory over Washington in the Fiesta Bowl was the most watched non-playoff game of the New Year’s Six era, which began in 2014, drawing more than 10 million viewers.

News: PlayStation Fiesta Bowl – Over 10.1 Million Viewers, most-watched non-CFP Semifinal Fiesta Bowl of NY Six Era.

– Surpasses New Year’s Day Ohio State-Notre Dame Fiesta Bowl
– Up 37% from Inaugural New Year’s Six Year

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— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) December 31, 2017

In fact, 10,167,000 people tuned in to watch the Nittany Lions take on the Huskies in Glendale, Ariz., up 37% from the 2014 Fiesta Bowl between UCF and Baylor. More people watched Saturday’s game than last year’s Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Notre Dame (9.7 million).

Only four other non-CFP bowls garnered more viewers than this Fiesta Bowl. The 2017 Rose Bowl between Penn State and USC is No. 1 on this list, totaling more than 15 million viewers throughout the United States.

The large audience is not only a sign of college football’s growth throughout the past few years, but also of the Nittany Lions’ growth. James Franklin has turned Penn State’s football program around since his arrival in Happy Valley, securing back to back 11-win seasons for the first time since 2008-09.