BY CHRIS LEWIS
Boise State’s stunning overtime win against Colorado State is one of those football games that both fan-bases will always remember. It was the most exciting Boise State football game I’ve seen in my five years in Boise. Now that these teams have had an epic football game, the Rams-Broncos series has become a heated one throughout many different sports. In fact, five of the craziest sporting events I’ve seen in the last two years have been between these teams. Boise State-Colorado State. It might not be a rivalry, but it’s definitely something. Here are my rankings of their recent classics:
1. 11-11-17 Football – Yes, the game this past weekend vaults to No. 1 on the list. From the Boise State fan perspective, it ran you through the entire emotional spectrum. From hope, to shock, to disappointment, to anger, back to hope, to anticipation, to joy, and to amazement. Falling behind 28-3 in their building and scrapping back with big plays (and CSU mistakes) let us ride the roller coaster of feelings. There was plenty of points, there was overtime, there was important stakes (a potential MW title) and perhaps the greatest onside kick ever.
2. 2-10-16 Men’s Basketball – Remember this?
This was one of the craziest basketball endings I’ve ever seen. That shot from James Webb III should have counted. The Mountain West would later admit that, but not after they sent out a flawed video and explanation the day before. Hearing the Mountain West try to defend this was one of the most absurd things I’ve ever seen. Colorado State won in overtime, Coach Leon Rice got a technical foul, and we had sports talk radio content for an entire week.
3. 11-16-16 Volleyball – The biggest win in Boise State volleyball history came against Colorado State. The Rams are a volleyball power, constantly ranked in the top 25, and the six-time defending league champions. Boise State hosted Colorado State in a de-fato Mountain West Championship match. The Broncos trailed 2-1 entering the fourth set, but rallied to take the next two sets in front of a rowdy, soldout crowd at Bronco Gym. It was the win that propelled Boise State to its first NCAA Tournament.
4. 3-8-17 Women’s Basketball – Similar to volleyball, Colorado State was the frontrunner in women’s basketball. The Rams won the MW regular season title for three straight years. Once again, it was the Broncos pulling an upset when it mattered the most.
Riley Lupfer’s 15-point fourth quarter was as unlikely as it was impressive, as she was a freshman reserve. That stunning Boise State win was the highlight in their second MW Tournament title run in three years.
5. 12-31-16 Men’s Basketball – Of course, the season after the James Webb buzzer beater and MW clock fiasco, the Rams and Broncos again have their game come down to the end. This time, there was no DV Sport technology to take this win away.
Isn’t it crazy when a game-winning buzzer beater is the fifth wildest game that Boise State and Colorado State have played against each other the last two years?
Chris Lewis, the play-by-play voice of Boise State women’s basketball and Olympic Sports, co-hosts Idaho Sports Talk with Bob & Chris weekdays from 1-3 p.m. on KTIK 93.1 FM The Ticket. He can be found @ChrisLewisTweet (Twitter).
