For the first time in its 135-year history, Penn State is preparing to play its 15th game of the season. The Nittany Lions can also win 13 games for the first time. Two milestones underscore one fact: This is the longest season in Penn State football history. This comes with promises and side effects.

“It’s harder than ever to do everything, and we’re all tired from playing Game 15 here, and we’ve been here every day since the end of July,” Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said. “But that’s what we signed up for. … We were talking yesterday and we just said, ‘Where would you rather be, if someone said in July, we’re going to practice on Christmas because we’re playing for a national championship and we’re in the playoffs,’ we would have signed up right away and said, ‘Hell, yeah, and there’s a lot of people who aren’t doing press conferences today because they’re not playing anymore. and we are lucky and blessed to be able to do it.”

Kotelnicki and several of his offensive stars gathered before Penn State’s practice to discuss work, the playoffs and the Broncos, whom they will face on New Year’s Eve in the Fiesta Bowl. Here’s what they said.

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Andy Kotelnicki, Penn State offensive coordinator

On Boise State’s defense: They’re one of the best teams in the country in sacks and disruption up front, so they have talented players on their defensive line, sure, but they play great complementary team defense. They have a good pressure set that complements their base defense.

On Penn State’s running game being more effective in the playoffs: Both (Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen) are kind of back at full strength, and you can see it the last few weeks, the way they’ve both run the football. They are very complementary to each other in terms of skills and how we use them. Obviously, they are impact players for us, and my responsibility is to make sure the impact players get the ball. So I guess that gives me a little more flexibility to be able to try to use these guys in a way that’s going to put pressure on the defense. … They’re both playing football at the highest level they have this year, which they should be at this point in the year.

On the offensive line: When you look at our last game, we played very physical football, which I love. This is what we want to be. We want to be a tough group from the start. As an entire offense, we want that, but our offensive line definitely embodies it. … They’ve embraced the idea of ​​being the reason we’ll go as far as we’ll go.

Drew Allar, Penn State quarterback

On Boise State’s defense: This is a really solid unit. You don’t see a lot of mistakes in the running game, like guys in the same gap, and few missed coverages. So I think it’s a very solid and disciplined group, and that starts with the technical staff. They’re doing a great job and lining up these guys in the right spots. And I think what stands out the most about the players is the way they play off the whistle. They play until the whistle blows every moment. We have a lot of respect for these guys and they had a great season. So this is going to be a fun match.

About freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer: He is not motivated from the outside. He is internally motivated by what he wants to accomplish in his career. And obviously, I think he has a very bright future ahead of him. From a quarterback standpoint, he can make every throw on the field: very strong arm, very accurate, and he processes very well, especially being a true freshman in college football. … He’s done a fantastic job since he’s been on campus, but I think I’ve started to see him gain confidence in the last few weeks.

On the offensive line: I think they just play really fast. We always talk about winning with speed on the perimeter, but I think the offensive line has really incorporated that into their own game, winning with speed up front, being physical and doing everything they can to do the work. And I think this is a group that takes tremendous pride in their process throughout the week and the way they prepare, and it shows on Saturday with the way they play.

Tight end Tyler Warren

Over the long season: It takes its toll, but you’re kind of just in the rhythm and routine of the season. You’re used to waking up and feeling whatever you feel, but doing whatever you can during the day, getting in the bathtub, stuff like that, the little things that give you an advantage. But it’s also understanding that everyone is in the same situation as you. So it’s not really an excuse and it’s just something you have to deal with in sport.

On the offensive line: Now that we’re in the second half of the season, we’ve had more reps, so just having them under our belt and continuing to build off of what we see each week has been really good for us. I feel like we’re on an upward trend, so just being able to continue to learn from what we put into the film will be important for us.

Running back Nicholas Singleton

On preparing to play a 15th match: It’s simply about taking care of your body, and above all eating well. And obviously the coaches know it’s week 15, everyone’s a little beat up, so the reps are down a little bit. It’s more like jogging, but also more focused on what we’re trying to do. So it went really well, and we’re just ready.

About Drew Allar: Drew has been really good since he got on campus. He’s always one of the first people to come (to the football stadium) to watch a movie. He’s a movie junkie. Like he’s still watching a movie. I always ask questions. His process was fantastic. Everyone sees him as a leader, and he also brings energy.

Offensive lineman Vega Ioane

On handling playoff pressure: I feel like our line handled everything perfectly. Like I said, all the praise goes to (offensive line) coach (Phil) Trautwein. He prepares us every week when we walk into the O-line meeting room, preparing our minds for practice, preparing our bodies for practice and games. I feel like in the playoffs it’s about being 1-0 every week. Every week it’s a new season. We’re not worried about the national championship yet. This week we are worried about Boise State.

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