Back Yard Football?

Big, big ups to the Broncos. No, not Denver, even though they do deserve some pub after falling flat on their faces this weekend, delivering a giant shit sandwich to a home crowd losing to the lowly 49ers. Any team which ventures inside the opponents red zone 3 times and once down to the 1 yard line and cannot get into the end zone deserves to be sitting at home while real men play in the post season. Fucking losers.

I digress. The intent here was to talk about the other Broncos. The ones from Boise State. After their 12-0 season, these Broncos were selected to play Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. People in the sports world were laughing at this match up. Yes, Boise State was undefeated, but they play in a no-name conference. Oklahoma (#7) would surly win this game in the desert, played for the first time away from Tempe at University of Phoenix (not at a college, but the WEBISTE) Stadium in Glendale.

The Broncos of Boise State were determined to prove they were worthy of the big game nod. They held an 18 point lead in the third quarter, only to slowly watch is slip away. With one minute left on the clock in regulation, Boise State QB Jared Zabransky dropped back and threw a pass to his left. It was intercepted and taken to the house. This game was all but over. Boise State now trailed 35-28 with 1:02 left.

They quickly found themselves in more trouble, standing near mid field with seconds to go, facing a 4th and 18. The Sooners had this one in the bag. Until the Broncos ran a hook-and-ladder. Yup. You heard it. With seconds left in a BCS game and undefeated season on the line, Boise State head coach Chris Peterson calls a play glorified by Back Yard Quarterbacks around the nation. And they ran it to perfection, tying the score and sending the game into Overtime.

In overtime, Sooners running back Adrian Peterson took a hand off to the left, bounced outside, and waltzed into the end zone on the first play from scrimmage. Boise State had to answer the bell again.

Inside the 10 yard line, the Broncos lined up in the shot gun. Then QB Zabransky went in motion. WR Vinnie Peretta took the snap, rolled right, and hit a man in the end zone with a great touch pass. One point would tie it up again. But that wasn’t enough for Boise State. What was the good in being tied again? Their defense was tired and they were not going to stop Oklahoma. So Broncos Coach Peterson called for a two point conversion for the win.

I’ve gotta say, I love the call. Regardless of the outcome of the game, Peterson did what any GOOD coach is hired to do…put his team in the best situation to WIN. With one play from the 2 yard line, this game could be over. He’d look like a genius, his team would end the story book run.

So, with their nuts exposed to the world, the Boise State Broncos lined up for one final play. The call? Maybe a play action pass to a tight end? I blast up the middle behind their biggest lineman? A fade to your best leaping WR in the corner of the end zone?

Nope. The State of Liberty. With 3 wide to his right, Broncos QB took the snap, cocked, and handed the ball off behind his back to his running back who cruised into the end zone for the win.

And do you want Story Book? An ending that only the writers of some Teen-Angst Drama could script? That RB, Ian Johnson scored the winning TD, ran to his girlfriend on the sideline who is a Cheerleader at Boise State, dropped to a knee and asked for her hand in marriage.

Of course, she said yes.

But after all this, Boise State may be surrounded in controversy. One day after winning a game they weren't supposed to be playing in the first place, the Boise State Broncos are making many people question why a team that's 13-0 isn't playing for the National Championship.

Could the Broncos beat Ohio State? Who knows. But they should be given a CHANCE. I'm sure Coach Peterson has a few plays in his book that we'd all love to see.