By Jeff Caves
Rocky Balboa is the greatest fighter in movie history. One of the greatest films of all time ended in a loss. Remember? Rocky LOST in Rocky 1. But, didn’t YOU feel like a winner?
Boise State lost to Washington State on Sunday am but may have won over the fans. But I saw the grumblings about BSU blowing a 21 point lead. Sooooooo with 10:53 to go in the game, up by 21, how did they Rocky?
I predicted that Boise State would lose 28-14. I questioned the offense and thought the defense would struggle against a NFL QB in Falk. I secretly thought the spread would be bigger. I doubted the fight in this team. I didn’t know they had a Mickey, Harsin, in their corner. I bet he had BSU chasing chickens in practice. My mistake. Call him whatever you want, Mickey even, but I guarantee you Harsin is a fighter and will never quit. The way WSU tied this game unfolded in 9:06. They had a lot of help but BSU fought the whole way.
BSU 31 WSU 10
WSU ball on WSU 25
The entire 3rd quarter WSU went 9-13 passing for only 64 yards. Hillinski had only 4 of those completions and BSU had knocked Falk out of the game. The entire 3rd quarter it took WSU 9:18 of possession time to gain those 63 total yards. Why not force them to eat clock and prove they can execute down the field by keeping everything in front of you? Knock ‘em down and pick ‘em up?
5 completions and 75 yards later, WSU scored a TD in 3:00.
BSU 31 WSU 17
BSU ball on BSU 16
Cozart had run for 28 yards on his last offensive possession. He scored on a 14 yard run. He was untouchable in the open field. He ended up leading the team in rushing with 81 yards. He left Kansas a losing QB and is probably the Rocky of this team. He hadn’t touched the ball though in 11 minutes. Was he anxious? He thought he was the play maker BSU needed and had the hottest hand. Remember when Reggie Bush tried a failed lateral in the 2005 National Championship game vs. Texas? He tried to do too much. Cozart led with his chin and flipped the ball to WSU on his way to the turf and gave WSU a TD.
BSU 31 WSU 24
BSU ball on BSU 10.
A false start by Molchon pushed back BSU 5 yards. Before they can get the next play off, Harsin didn’t like what he sees and called a time out to call a different play. BSU is backed up into the loud and proud WSU student section of the stadium. They were just in the same spot on the BSU 16 the previous possession. They hadn’t seen this bad of field possession since the first quarter. WSU knew BSU had to run the ball out of this hole. Cozart ran and scrambled but BSU couldn’t get anything going and only used 1:45 of clock. They punt. The defense can win the game.
WSU ball on WSU 26
WSU gets hit with an illegal fair catch penalty and is really in a hole. They need another 74 yard drive in 3:59 to tie the game. David Moa gets a clutch 10 yard sack and the defense does the job AGAIN forcing WSU to punt with 2:55 to go in the game.
The punt goes Aiona Key, ala the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, and hits Harrison-Ducros in the back.
WSU ball on BSU 24
4 plays and 1:44 later the score is tied
BSU 31 WSU 31
WSU had tied the game but BSU was somewhat unfazed. They fought to the end.
They sacked and chased WSU and forced the overtime. In overtime, BSU hit a clutch field goal, had a goal line stand, and a Cozart TD throw to Wilson. But, like Rocky, they ran out of gas when red shirt freshman Desmond Williams couldn’t make an open field tackle. I think WSU knew they were lucky to win even though Leach didn’t admit it.
Rocky won his next fight at the end of Rocky 2. I am picking Rocky over New Mexico.
