A Stunner While You Slept

Late Saturday evening was shaping up to be huge for the Mountain West.  Not only was San Diego State bullying Arizona State in the desert, Boise State was breezing 31-10 in the 4th quarter at Washington State.  For the second straight game against a reasonable team, the Cougars looked nothing like the typical Mike Leach passing circus (WSU’s offense no showed in the Holiday Bowl against Minnesota).  Having not scored an offensive touchdown, Luke Falk looked quite mortal, perhaps missing the outstanding receiving duo of Gabe Marks and River Cracraft more than anybody could imagine.

At any rate, no viewer could imagine the inept Cougar offense capable of mounting a comeback.  And, they really did not.  Tyler Hilinski replaced the injured and ineffective Falk and reduced the deficit to 31-17.  Then, midnight madness broke out.  The Cougars somehow managed to intercept a shovel pass.  Then, a subsequent Boise punt was blocked by a Boise blocker!!!   31-31.  Overtime.

The Cougars would prevail in triple overtime, triggering euphoria in the Palouse.  Even with the thrilling comeback, one of the flaws in the Air Raid was exposed.  Down 34-31 in the first overtime, WSU had 2nd and 1 at the 1 yard line.  The QB lines up in the shotgun and they fail at two “Cutesy” plays.  OK, on one play the receiver did drop the ball in the end zone.  Leach elected to kick on 4th and 1 to extend this wholly improbable game to the 2nd overtime.  If WSU has no confidence to try to run it in from the one in 3 opportunities, the Odyssey wonders if the Cougars should deliberately take a delay of game penalty to give their receivers more room to maneuver.  Just a thought.

Another thought.  Bryan Harsin is no Chris Petersen.  Boise has lost several games in the last couple years that Petersen would not have lost as Boise’s legendary coach.