Boise State-Nevada

Talking points

But what a game Boise State-Nevada turned out to be. Whilst I would normally include these talking points at the bottom of the previous post, it would seem an injustice to relegate such a pulsating and thrilling encounter to mere footnotes.

There were so many story-lines to follow; Boise State targeting another unbeaten campaign and their first national championship game appearance, Nevada determined to finally overcome their biggest conference competition after several years of crushing disappointment, the homecoming game for seniors such as Wolfpack tandem QB Colin Kaepernick and RB Vai Taua, who broke new college records for tandem career rushing yardage with their performances on Friday night.

It was a game that Boise looked to have in the bag in the early going, a combination of the familiar easy-on-the-eye passing attack led by Kellen Moore looking so calm and poised with every snap of the ball and delivering passes with beautiful timing and accuracy, and the brutal bowling-ball style running of Doug Martin. Martin's squat, sturdy running style is a joy to watch. He combines sure-footedness with great power and burst, and crucially, extra yards at the conclusion of runs.

They are complemented with an excellent receiving corps including Austin Pettis and Titus Young, two of the most athletic and agile receivers I've had the pleasure of watching play the game.

By the third quarter, Boise looked to be on a familiar path to victory, 24-7 ahead and seemingly good value for their lead. In the opening half Nevada had looked distinctly average; Kaepernick running screen passes and sweeps to little effect, whilst the Bronco defense were comfortable in containing the edge and bringing up safeties and linebackers to stuff attacks early.

But by repeatedly throwing up jump balls for favoured receiving target Rashid Matthews to grab and grinding out a running game with Vai Taua, the Pack began to turn the tide. Kaepernick rolled out and into the endzone to reduce the deficit, and the Nevada defense at last made their presence felt. Moore was pressured at almost every snap, the secondary coverage tightened and started to out-muscle their opponents. At the start of the fourth quarter Matthews took the ball, absorbed several attempted tackles and rotated to freedom on a 44 yard touchdown run.

Boise couldn't keep the ball on their next possession and a Nevada field goal tied the game. The momentum had swung decidedly in the hosts favour. Or so it seemed:



But Nevada recovered from this body blow, driving the length of the field to score once again when Kaepernick found Matthews in the endzone with just 13 seconds left on the clock.

Boise got the ball with nine seconds to play, game tied and headed for overtime:



It was drama of the highest order, Titus Young sitting on the turf calmly calling the timeout with a second to spare. The Nevada fans falling into stunned silence, heads in hands in disbelief. Boise players were elated. Kyle Brotzman would kick the field goal, win the game, and the Broncos would remain on course for a shot at the national title.

Except.



Who'd be a kicker. eh?

So we go to overtime anyway. Boise is stopped on downs. On trots Kyle Brotzman again, promptly booting the ball suspiciously closely over the top of the left hand shorter-than-standard-length goalposts. Close, yes, but the officials signal no good.



Who'd be a kicker, eh?

It was a fantastic game, one of the best I've seen in my relatively short time watching the sport; twisting and turning with such unpredictability and savagery that it left the viewer dazed, elated and drained all at once.