The Greatest Game I Ever Saw

I hope everybody got to see the Fiesta Bowl last night. Today, it was not uncommon for office workers, sports writers, and any one else to declare that it was the greatest football game ever played. It was one of those rare magical moments that if you were watching it, you knew you were seeing something extraordinary.

The game was pitched as David versus Goliath. Little Boise State University was given an opportunity to play against powerhouse Oklahoma by virtue of its 12 – 0 record. The WAC conference doesn’t usually get to participate in a BCS Bowl Game, but no one could argue against their undefeated record.

As the game wore on, it became evident that the Boise State Broncos were living up to the challenge. They battled the Sooners the whole way. Prior to the game, one of the Bulldogs was asked about how he liked the David and Goliath analogy. “Well, in that story, David wins, right?” he offered.

Boise State shocked the Sooners with two quick touchdowns in the first quarter. But Oklahoma didn’t fold. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma’s coach is tenacious. He is reputed to be one of the highest paid coaches in the land (up to $3 million). The players are big, very athletic, and very deep. Late in the 4th quarter with a little over a minute to go, they finally caught up. Then, on the first play following the kick-off, Boise State’s quarterback threw a sideline pass. The receiver turned the wrong way and the defender turned the right way. He took the ball into the end-zone and Oklahoma suddenly led by a touchdown. At that point everyone, me included, was ready to hand Boise State the “good effort” award. Hey they came close but, after all, they aren’t the Sooners.

Boise State then marched down the field and scored on a perfectly executed hook and ladder play. The trick play stunned Oklahoma, who thought they had the game won. It went into overtime.
In overtime, each team gets a possession. Oklahoma, wanting to end the game gave the ball to its big back who bulled his way into the end-zone on their very first play. On Boise State’s possession, their drive stalled and they faced a 4th down. Out comes another gadget play – a halfback pass executed perfectly for the touchdown. How many times could Boise State pull out a magic play?

At that time, you could sense that this was no ordinary game. Forget the reputations and pedigrees. There was something happening that was almost surreal. Boise State needed to kick the extra point to tie the game again and send it to round two of the overtime. Instead, they came and lined up for a 2-point conversion. They were invited to the Fiesta Bowl because they were undefeated and they came to the game to win it. They would win or lose it on this play.
Oklahoma called time-out. Coach Stoops warned them to watch for another gadget play. Both teams came out on the field and lined up. The ball was snapped and Boise State then ran the perfect Statue of Liberty play. The quarterback pretended to throw the ball to the right side of the field with his right hand but instead, handed it to his running back with his left hand. Everyone in the stadium (minus eleven guys), saw it. The running back was untouched as he raced to his left into the end-zone. Game over. David had beat Goliath with a kids’ play.

The air was electric. People were rubbing their eyes. Did that really happen? The Oklahoma coach was visibly stunned. The announcers who were in place to interview the winners had to race to the other side of the field. One caught up with the winning running back who calmly said that they came to win. Then to everyone’s amazement the running back turned to the Boise State cheerleader standing next to him, got on one knee and proposed to her. “Yes,” she said.
I was alone in the family room. I looked around for someone to ask, “Did you just see that?” No one there, but Charlie. For a moment I thought he was going to reply, but the magic had gone.

See for yourself, here