Yes, a field goal.
Boise State’s BCS hopes had been dashed two years in a row because of a missed field goal. Against Washington in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas however, Broncos kicker Michael Frisina actually won the game by marrying foot to ball and awkwardly sending it between two uprights.
Even a successful field goal attempt was nerve-racking to watch, but it gave No. 20 Boise State a 28-26 win over the Huskies. Washington quarterback Keith Price had just over one minute to get his team into field goal range to take the lead, but was intercepted by BSU defensive back Jeremy Ioane.
That sealed the Broncos’ third straight Las Vegas Bowl win and fifth straight season of at least 11 wins for Chris Petersen. No matter the conference -- and that is a question mark for Boise State going forward -- that’s simply incredible. Boise State lost the greatest player in the history of its program, quarterback Kellen Moore, as one of several starters to move on from last year. Yet Petersen’s team lost just two games in 2012.
Replacing Moore this year has been Joe Southwick. The junior ended the season with 266 yards passing and a pair of scores against Washington. Huskies QB Keith Price had 242 yards passing, but two interceptions, and running back Bishop Sankey was the player of the game with 205 yards rushing and a score.
Washington finishes the season 7-6 and needs to have a breakout season in 2013 under coach Steve Sarkisian. Boise State just needs to figure out which conference it will be playing in next year.
And maybe how to keep Petersen around if Oregon coach Chip Kelly decides it’s time to move on to the NFL.