Wait. I feel like I’ve seen this before.
In shades of last season’s loss to Nevada -- albeit a bit more blue this time -- Boise State found themselves down a point to TCU with just over one minute to play in today’s game. Following a Drew Wright fumble with just under 2:30 to play in the fourth quarter, TCU managed to march 73 yards and score to bring the game to 35-34 in favor of the Broncos. But instead of opting for the PAT, TCU coach Gary Patterson went for two; kicker Ross Evans missed an extra point earlier in the game.
It worked. The pass from TCU quarterback Casey Pachall pass to Josh Boyce was good and TCU took a 36-35 lead.
Echoing the sentiments of Kirk Herbstreit, though, if there’s one quarterback I’d want in a two-minute drill, it’s Kellen Moore.
But TCU did an outstanding job with their coverage and were equally as impressive in hurrying Moore into bad throws on Boise State’s final drive. If it weren’t for self-inflicted penalties kick-started (kinda literally) by a kickoff out of bounds, I’m not convinced Boise State would have even had an opportunity for a game-winning field goal at all.
And for anyone watching, yes, that pass interference call on fourth down to give Boise new life was bogus.
But, oh, the spirit of former BSU kicker Kyle Brotzman works in mysterious ways, and a game-winning 39-yard field goal attempt by Dan Goodale was wide right. With a final score of 36-35, TCU gave Boise their first conference loss at home since 1998; prior to today, the Broncos had won their last 65 consecutive regular season home games. But, more importantly, the Broncos will miss the BCS for a second straight year.
And, hey, we’re man enough to admit that what we say on the internet makes us look, well, you know...
In addition to TCU, today’s biggest winners were Houston. The Cougars currently sit at No. 11 in the latest BCS standings. As long as they can continue to hang up 70 points on their opposition (while simultaneously not giving up 70 points in return; this won’t be a problem, right?), expect the Conference USA members to make their way into the BCS party.