My Most Memorable Sports Moment #2: Boise State’s Statement in 2007 Fiesta Bowl

This moment is really a combination of moments. In 2007 the BCS system allowed a non-automatic qualifier in Boise State to play against a Big 12 champion, Oklahoma. Everyone expected a decent game with Oklahoma winning. The talent level between these two teams was thought to be drastic and would end up making the difference in the game. Boy, were we wrong.

Boise St. came out making a statement and scoring the first two scores of the game, going up 14-0. By mid way through the third quarter, Boise was up 28-10, and then the Sooners began their march to win, scoring 25 unanswered points, 35-28.

With only 1:02 left on the clock, the Broncos tried to march down the field. It proceed as followed:

First down: Sack
Second down: dropped pass
Third down: incomplete pass

On fourth down with just 7 seconds came the first of two memorable moments in this game. The Broncos completed a pass for 15 yards. Your first thought is “why they would toss it only 15 yards downfield with no time?” Well, that wasn’t the end of the play. They lateraled the catch to a player in-stride who ran in for a touchdown. With an extra point, Boise St. tied up the Fiesta Bowl.

OU got the ball first and scored a touchdown. Luckily, college football lets both teams get a chance to score, so Boise did just that. Now, most people would go for the PA and go into double overtime, but not this team. Coach Petersen decided to win or go home with a 2-point conversion attempt.

The play developed like a wide-receiver screen to the right. The defense swarmed to defend. The quarterback pumped his arm for the throw. All of the sudden, the running back was sprinting the other way with the football, converting the 2 points! The Broncos pulled off the Statue of Liberty play to take down a powerhouse football team, and to make their claim to being a football program on the rise to be one of the best.

These moments were outstanding drama and also helped to bring more chaos to the BCS, which I am all about doing. The Broncos shocked the college football nation in grand fashion.