Boise State and the Greatest Football Game Ever?

Editor's Note (again): I've had this one ready to go for a while too. Normally, when I have been blogging, it is because I'm very busy. Very busy playing Oblivion or Civilization or PS2 games and having miniture bouts of self-loothing. It is different this time. We've been working on some projects in the house; we painted the kitchen, organized the attic, and generally took care of some serious business. I've also been reading and learning to play the guitar (! Yeah, I know). And my wife and I took a trip to DC. By the way, sometimes my writing is completely selfish. This football story is one of those times. We men watch a lot games, but unlike other men, I don't remember the details. I wanted to remember this one!

We lived in Idaho near Boise for five years, so I’ve been following the success of the Boise State football program for some time now. Steadily over last decade, Boise State has put together a good football program. They routinely win nearly every game in their season, but unfortunately for them, they are in the Western Athletic Conference. It really is a weak conference, and Boise State’s opponents have been pretty weak. Still, I have rooting for Boise State, and I don’t like it when the experts and pundits (read Jim Rome and the callers) degenerate Boise State because it is in Idaho. They couldn’t possibly compete with the “big” college teams. This lack of respect made the game very compelling. Would Boise State compete, or go down in flames?

So I was looking forward to the Fiesta Bowl this year. Boise State (Ranked 9th I think) needed a win over Okalahoma (7th, I think) for a perfect season. I hoped Boise State would at least play well, and not embarrass themselves. They did not embarrass themself

To really enjoy a football game, I think you really have to be rooting for one of the teams. Needless to say, I was rooting for Boise State. When Boise State jumped out to an early lead, I thought I might not even need to watch. Okalahoma came back, and I went to bed. Fortunately, I wasn’t feeling well, so I got back up in time for the second half. What great half of football. The beginning of the second half was interesting, some fun, exciting trick plays, then it settled down till the end game.

When Okalahoma tied the game, I figured the game was going to overtime. Then Boise State made that tragic mistake, the easy interception for an Okalahoma touchdown. My heart sunk, but I was still happy that Boise State played a great game. After all, there is no way they score with barely a minute left. Soon, Boise State is looking at 4th down and 18 yards to go. I’m barely watching.

How many times have we watched ball games end this way? It’s very predictable. The quarterback drops back throws a long bomb, maybe your team gets lucky, probably not. I thought I’d seen enough game endings that I’d seen it all. Nope. The long pass up the middle was exciting enough, but I didn’t see the Hook and Ladder coming. The receiver caught the ball and turned up field for the first down. Except right before the defenders could get to him, he flipped to another receiver running the opposite direction. I knew it was a touchdown the second I saw it. I was on my feet, trying not to wake up the whole house. With an extra point, the game was tied.

Overtime, college football does it better than the pros, the teams basically take turns trying to score. Okalahoma got the first chance, and scored on the first play of the overtime. My heart sinks again. Boise State gets their chance. Their drive takes a little longer, but they get into the endzone for a touchdown.

Fans want the game to be exciting, but they also want their teams to win. Coaches play the statistics. They kick the extra point and try again. Not Boise State, they went for two. I was stunned. They decided win or lose the game right there. Regardless of the result, I will love that decision. It was riveting to watch a team go against convention, and have the temerity to go for the win. Then the play was a shocking trick play (Statue of Liberty?), a pump fake screen to the right side, the quarterback tucked the ball and handed it behind his back to the running back, who ran the opposite way. One Sooner sniffed it out, but he was easily blocked. Boise State wins. They displayed the heart and skill to play with any team. I’m not even going to get into the playoff/bowl game situation…

Addendum, a few days later, the Seattle/Dallas game was almost as compelling (only because I live in Texas, and have claimed Seattle as my adopted home town). The Seahawks forced a fumble and safety in one of the most improbable plays I’ve ever seen. When the officials reviewed, they needed to look for something like four different things. Was it a catch? Did the ball bounce out? Was the person who tossed it back into his teammates in bounds (no)? Did the person who recovered the fumble get both feet in bounds? It was interesting. Then the Cowboys young quarterback led his team quickly down the field for a possible field goal win at the one yard line. He fumbled the snap. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone! It’s fun for your team to win, but you don’t to see anyone lose like that!

Sometimes, sports is worth watching!