The first half of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl was a snoozer.
The last two minutes more than made up for it.
After watching Temple cruise to a 37-15 rout over Wyoming earlier today to kick off bowl season, Utah State looked like they were on their way to taking care of Ohio with the Aggies up 23-10 midway through the third quarter. USU was running the ball at will behind running backs Michael Smith and Robert Turbin, and points were hard to come by for Ohio’s offense.
But Utah State has had problems holding on to second-half leads this season -- most notably against Auburn and BYU. This time around wasn’t any different; the Bobcats scored 14 unanswered points and beat Utah State 24-23 in the final 30 seconds of the game.
Faced with a 4th-and-6 on the USU 14, Ohio quarterback Tyler Tettleton threw a desperation pass over the middle as he was getting drilled, which was caught by receiver LaVon Brazill. Game officials initially ruled the catch a touchdown, despite the fact that Brazill was clearly down at about the six-inch line, but then confirmed the ruling after an official review... which was later revealed to be a confirmation that the officials had overturned the ruling of a touchdown... which was then reversed again and called a touchdown because Brazill fumbled the ball... which he didn’t... and that call was later overturned.
Got it?
Good, because we still don’t.
In any case, Ohio had the ball inside the Utah State 1, and Tettleton scored two plays later. Utah State tried about 30 laterals as time expired, but it didn’t work (although it was fun to watch).
It’s a tough break for Gary Anderson‘s team (and his tattoo), which played well for three quarters. The Aggies just can’t find a way to close out games (where have you heard that before?). At the same time, it’s a great moment for Frank Solich, who finally gives Ohio its first bowl win ever.