BRONCOS HOST TIGERS IN ROUND 1 REMATCH
The Boise State Broncos got 1 home game on the "The Blue" or did they as they hosted the #11 seed Auburn Tigers for Round 1 of the 2031 Playoffs. However home games in late December don't guarantee that you will see the blue turf and today's game was one of those games. The Field was covered with snow but that didn't stop the Bronco faithful from coming out to support the home team.
GAME RECAP
The snow played a major factor in the early going as both teams tried to find their footing as BSU was forced to punt on their first 3 series leading to Auburn taking a (3-0) lead in the 1st Quarter. With Brian Crum struggling with nagging injuries and the 0-Line still missing 2 of it's starters, Coach Miller leaned on SR QB Tua Draft in the 2nd Quarter and Draft delivered throwing a pair of touchdowns including a 16 yd strike to Conner Friesz to give BSU the (17-10) lead with 34 seconds to play in the half but Auburn still with 1 timeout answers back with back to back 40+ yd players to tie the game in the final seconds as SO WR Deshhawn Wylie (90 ovr) hauls in the game tying score making it (17-17) at the half.
Both QB's would throw INT's to open up the 2nd half action but with 2:47 to play in the 3rd BSU would brake the tie as Cedric Eagles connects from 33 yds out giving the Broncos the (20-17) lead going into the 4th.
Brian Crum would return to the field and help finish off a 13 play 82 yd drive early in the 4th as Boise State added to their lead as Crum rumbles in from 7 yds out making it (27-17). BSU would later took to close things out as Cedric Eagles attempts a 50 yd FG but the kick falls short giving Auburn the ball back and 3 players later JR RB Ian Bowanko broke free for a 29 yd touchdown as the Tigers make it (27-24) with 3:49 to play.
With the snow still falling very heavily, Coach Miller would lean on his run game as Crum/Boykins and Jason Whitted combine for 67 yds on the Broncos final drive but facing a 4th and goal from the 4 it was time to put the ball in the hands of Draft who delivers a strike to backup TE Larry Ika giving BSU the 10 point lead with less then a minute to play. For Coach Miller and Draft it was a fitting end to a game that was full of trust as BSU finished the game (8-8) on 4th downs.
Auburn would have 1 last chance for a miracle but the Bronco Defense delivers a 4 and out as BSU takes over on downs kneeling out the remaining seconds..
FINAL SCORE #6 BOISE STATE-34 #11 AUBURN-24
KEY PLAYERS
QB T. Draft-39/57 (68%) 363 yds 3 TD 1 INT
RB J. Boykins-29 carries 104 yds, 1 rec 4 yds 1 TD
RB B. Crum-19 carries 56 yds 1 TD, 1 rec 18 yds
RB J. Whitted-8 carries 36 yds
WR C. Friesz-14 rec 122 yds 1 TD
WR M. Stockton-8 rec 88 yds
WR E. Zentner-5 rec 78 yds
TE R Carney-6 rec 43 yds
TE L. Ika-1 rec 5 yds 1 TD
SS N. Kohou-1 INT
QB D Clinton-24/43 (55%) 288 yds 2 TD 1 INT
RB I. Bowanko-21 carries 92 yds 1 TD, 6 rec 30 yds
WR D. Wylie-12 rec 146 yds 1 TD
WR P Torrence-2 rec 52 yds 1 TD
TE D. Drango-2 rec 34 yds
UP NEXT
Boise State advances to the Orange Bowl with the win where they will take on on #3 (13-0) LSU.
The Tigers are led by JR QB Alani Hankerson (88 Ovr) who has thrown or 3695 yds with 39 TD and just 3 INT, JR RB Paul Foxworth (88 ovr) who finished with 1113 yds and 12 TD on 274 carries (4.1 avg).. Hankerson hs a pair of #1 WR's in JR Troy Way (87 Ovr)-67 rec 913 yds 12 TD and SR Tim Koo (90 ovr)-64 rec 906 yds and 12 TD.
On Defense the Tigers post 2 of the best pass rushing DT's in the nation led by JR Mitch Griffin (89 Ovr)- who has 23 TFL and 18 sacks and SR Johnny Lett (91 ovr) who as 14 TFL and 10.5 sacks.
