One would think that it was destiny for the undefeated sixth-ranked Boise State Broncos (13–0) and the undefeated fourth-ranked Texas Christian Horned Frogs (12–0) to meet each other in the 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl to be played on January 4.
After all, the Broncos played in the Fiesta Bowl three years ago against Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma Sooners and won 43–42 in overtime. That game is often referred to as one of the best college football games ever witnessed.
In that game, the Broncos blew an 18-point lead halfway through the third quarter. With 1:02 remaining in the game, quarterback Jared Zabransky threw an interception to Sooners cornerback Marcus Walker, who returned the pick for a touchdown.
The pick-six gave the Sooners a 35–28 lead that all but sealed Boise State’s fate. On their next possession, the Broncos were stuck with a fourth-and-18 at midfield with less than 30 seconds left.
That was when Broncos coach Chris Petersen resorted to a designed trick play. The famous hook-and-ladder call resulted in Zabransky throwing a 15-yard pass to Drisan James, who then lateraled the ball to Jerard Rabb, who ran the rest of the way into the end zone with seven seconds left on the clock.
In OT, Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson ran for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Once again, the Broncos were forced to respond.
Faced with a fourth-and-two at the 6-yard line, Vinny Perretta passed to Derek Schouman for a touchdown. Petersen decided to go for the two-point conversion to win instead of the extra point to tie.
Zabransky took the snap and looked toward his three wide receivers on the right. He then straightened up into a Statue of Liberty pose and sneakily handed the ball behind his back to Ian Johnson, who ran easily into the end zone for the win.
Boise State finished that season with a perfect 13–0 record—the only undefeated team in college football—but not as the national champion, sparking plenty of debate as to the validity and fairness of the BCS system.
As if that 2007 Fiesta Bowl was not enough to hype up this year’s matchup between Boise State and TCU, last year’s San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl featured both teams, including a 12–0 Boise State going for their 13th win.
In last year’s Poinsettia Bowl, the Broncos jumped out to a quick 10–0 lead in the first quarter, but could not hang on as the Horned Frogs scored what would end up being the game-winning touchdown in the middle of the fourth quarter, squeaking out a 17–16 victory.
After all, the Broncos played in the Fiesta Bowl three years ago against Big 12 powerhouse Oklahoma Sooners and won 43–42 in overtime. That game is often referred to as one of the best college football games ever witnessed.
In that game, the Broncos blew an 18-point lead halfway through the third quarter. With 1:02 remaining in the game, quarterback Jared Zabransky threw an interception to Sooners cornerback Marcus Walker, who returned the pick for a touchdown.
The pick-six gave the Sooners a 35–28 lead that all but sealed Boise State’s fate. On their next possession, the Broncos were stuck with a fourth-and-18 at midfield with less than 30 seconds left.
That was when Broncos coach Chris Petersen resorted to a designed trick play. The famous hook-and-ladder call resulted in Zabransky throwing a 15-yard pass to Drisan James, who then lateraled the ball to Jerard Rabb, who ran the rest of the way into the end zone with seven seconds left on the clock.
In OT, Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson ran for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Once again, the Broncos were forced to respond.
Faced with a fourth-and-two at the 6-yard line, Vinny Perretta passed to Derek Schouman for a touchdown. Petersen decided to go for the two-point conversion to win instead of the extra point to tie.
Zabransky took the snap and looked toward his three wide receivers on the right. He then straightened up into a Statue of Liberty pose and sneakily handed the ball behind his back to Ian Johnson, who ran easily into the end zone for the win.
Boise State finished that season with a perfect 13–0 record—the only undefeated team in college football—but not as the national champion, sparking plenty of debate as to the validity and fairness of the BCS system.
As if that 2007 Fiesta Bowl was not enough to hype up this year’s matchup between Boise State and TCU, last year’s San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl featured both teams, including a 12–0 Boise State going for their 13th win.
In last year’s Poinsettia Bowl, the Broncos jumped out to a quick 10–0 lead in the first quarter, but could not hang on as the Horned Frogs scored what would end up being the game-winning touchdown in the middle of the fourth quarter, squeaking out a 17–16 victory.
