January 11, 2007: Ten days after leading Boise State to its legendary upset of Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, Chris Petersen accepts the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award as the national coach of the year in Houston.
I’m not sure anyone expected a low-scoring game with high-flying Colorado State in town, but that’s what the announced crowd of 12,058 got Tuesday night.
January 9, 1977: The Oakland Raiders overwhelm the Minnesota Vikings, 32-14, in Super Bowl XI, played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. For the Raiders, it was their first Super Bowl victory and the crowning moment of John Madden’s coaching career.
So much happened the past few days—where do we begin? I guess that would be with a commitment from the highest-rated recruit in Boise State history Saturday night, transfer quarterback Malachi Nelson from USC.
January 5, 2004, 20 years ago today: The final college football polls for the 2003 season have Boise State finishing 15th in the Coaches Poll and 16th on the AP list after the Broncos’ record 13-1 season.
January 4, 2010: Just like three years earlier, sixth-ranked Boise State is an underdog going into the Fiesta Bowl. Unlike the Broncos’ original Fiesta Bowl experience, the legendary 43-42 overtime win over Oklahoma, this one would be a defensive battle.
This is going to be one fascinating Mountain West season. Boise State, picked second in the MW preseason poll, may be a distant No. 6 in the pecking order going into its opener Friday night at San Jose State, but let’s take a look at the Saint Mary’s measuring stick.
December 28, 2005: The Dan Hawkins era and the 31-game winning streak on the blue turf come to an end for Boise State in the MPC Computers Bowl. Boston College, ranked 19th in both polls, burst out to a 27-0 lead behind quarterback Matt Ryan before a furious Broncos second half rally.
A year ago, bracketology was a weekly topic around Bronco Nation, as Boise State mostly stayed above the bubble and in the field of 68 for the NCAA Tournament.
December 22, 2016: Idaho, less than two years away from a move back to the Big Sky, energizes its fan base with a 61-50 win over Colorado State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the third-highest scoring game in the history of bowl games.