The 2014 Boise State football team has taken us on an amazing ride, and it isn't over yet.
Boise State jumped to a 21-0 halftime lead, and then held on to defeat rival Fresno State 28-14 and capture its first Mountain West Conference championship last night at Albertsons Stadium in Boise.
Grant Hedrick threw for 155 yards and ran for a team-leading 81 yards to lead the Broncos to victory. Boise State (11-2) earned the highest ranking for a "Group of 5" team (the "non-elite" conferences) and will play Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Eve.
Hedrick got Boise State on the board with their first drive, scoring on a 20-yard keeper. Linebacker Tanner Vallejo stepped in front of a Brian Burrell pass and scored on a 63-yard interception return with 1:56 remaining in the quarter. Star running back Jay Ajayi carried defenders with him as he scored from nine yards out midway through the second quarter.
Boise State then extended their lead to 28-0 on a 21-yard run from Hedrick, and was seemingly in command after a punt pinned FSU on their own six-yard line. But Burrell threaded the Bronco secondary with numerous completions over the middle of the field, and 19-plays later, Josh Quezada bulled over from the two-yard line to give Fresno State their first score.
Although the Bronco defense continued to allow the passes over the middle, they allowed just one more Bulldog score, a TD strike from Burrell to Greg Watson with 5:31 remaining.
Charles Washington recovered the ensuing onsides kickoff, but a 15-yard penalty and a sack by Sam McCaskill hampered the Bulldog drive, and a fourth down pass from Burrell to Aaron Peck fell incomplete just short of the goal line.
The Bulldogs held Boise State to a three-and-out, however, and after receiving a punt advanced the ball to the Bronco 34. But on third down, defensive end Beau Martin jumped up to intercept a Burrell pass to the flats, and the Broncos clinched their third Fiesta Bowl berth in the last nine years.
Fresno State controlled the ball, converting on an incredible 11 of 23 third-down opportunities to keep the Boise State offense on the sidelines. The Bulldogs outgained Boise State 378-300, but three turnovers cost Fresno State dearly (Donte Deayon also intercepted a pass in the end zone to halt a Bulldog threat in the first quarter.)
Hedrick finished 9-16 passing, and surpassed season totals by Taylor Tharp and Bart Hendricks to move into sixth place all-time at Boise State with 3,368 yards. (See chart at the end of this article.)
The Bulldog defense keyed on star running back Jay Ajayi and held him to 70 yards on 22 carries, but Ajayi did get in the end zone for Boise State's second touchdown of the game.
Ajayi and Hedrick broke the school record for most rushing yards a by a duo in a single season with 2,252. Ajayi tied Ian Johnson for second in rushing TD's in a season with 25.
Passing Yards, Season
1. Ryan Dinwiddie (4,356) 2003
5. Kellen Moore (3,486) 2008
6. Grant Hedrick (3,368) 2014
8. Bart Hendricks (3,364) 2000
15. Joe Southwick (2,730) 2012
16. Jared Zabransky (2,562) 2005
17. Vince Alcalde (2,523) 1987
18. Tony Hilde (2,473) 1996
19. Tony Hilde (2,386) 1995
20. Ryan Dinwiddie (2,283) 2002
21. Mike Virden (2,182) 1990
22. Eric Guthrie (2,147) 1971
23. Mike Virden (2,112) 1989
24. Greg Stern (2,000) 1975
25. Joe Aliotti (1,870) 1979
26 Grant Hedrick (1,825) 2013
27. Hazsen Choates (1,804) 1984
28. Bart Hendricks (1,799) 1998
29. Keith Jarrett (1,699) 1986
30. Duane Halliday (1,695) 1988
31. Joe Southwick (1,654) 2013
32. Joe Aliotti (1,590) 1980
33. Hoskin Hogan (1,565) 1977
34. Gerald DesPres (1,560) 1982
35. Jim McMillan (1,525) 1973
36. Ron Autele (1,522) 1972
37. Tony Hilde (1,461) 1993
38. B.J. Rhode (1,444) 2002
39. Dee Pickett (1,398) 1976
40. Tim Klena (1,199) 1981
41. Hoskin Hogan (1,191) 1978
42. Nate Sparks (1,157) 1997
43. Bart Hendricks (1,121) 1997
44. Gerald DesPres (1,034) 1981
45. Jim McMillan (1,027) 1972
Season
11. Brock Forsey (13) 2001
15. Doug Martin (12) 2010
15. Ryan Dinwiddie (12) 2003
15. Rodney Webster (12) 1981
18. Jeremy Avery (11) 2010)
18. Jared Zabransky (11) 2005
18. Eron Hurley (11) 1998
18. Cedric Minter (11) 1980
22. Antwaun Carter (10) 2005
22. Chris Thomas (10) 1989
22. Abe Brown (10) 1969
25. Brock Forsey (9) 2000
25. Tony Hilde (9) 1995
25. K.C. Adams (9) 1994
25. Jon Francis (9) 1985
25. Cedric Minter (9) 1979
25. Cedric Minter (9) 1978
25. Eric Guthrie (9) 1968)
25. Abe Brown (9) 1968)
Most Rushing Yards by a Duo
(the top two rushers in a season)
1. Jay Ajayi & Grant Hedrick (2,252) 2014
2. Brock Forsey & David Mikell (2,217) 2002
3. Ian Johnson & Brett Denton (2,061) 2006
4. Cedric Minter & David Hughes (2,021) 1978
5. Jeremy Avery & Doug Martin (1,916) 2009
6. Doug Martin & D.J. Harper (1,856) 2011
7. Brock Forsey & David Mikell (1,775) 2001
8. Doug Martin & Jeremy Avery (1,755) 2010
9. Ian Johnson & Jeremy Avery (1,713) 2007
10. Jay Ajayi & Grant Hedrick (1,702) 2013
11. D.J. Harper & Jay Ajayi (1,685) 2012
12. K.C. Adams & Willie Bowens (1,608) 1994
13. Cedric Minter & Terry Zahner (1,601) 1977
14. Cedric Minter & Terry Zahner (1,600) 1980
15. David Mikell & Donny Heck (1,588) 2003
16. Cedric Minter & David Hughes (1,587) 1979
17. Jon Francis & Todd Anderson (1,557) 1985
18. Eron Hurley & Shaunard Harts (1,548) 1998
19. Rodney Webster & John Broadous (1,507) 1981
20. Chris Jackson & Ty Ogata (1,499) 1987
21. Jon Francis & Dean Collins (1,457) 1984
22. Rodney Webster & Greg Harrison (1,434) 1983
23. Lee Marks & Ian Johnson (1,422) 2005
24. Ian Johnson & Jeremy Avery (1,380) 2008
25. Lee Marks & Jared Zabransky 1,294) 2004
26. Brock Forsey & David Mikell (1,266) 2000
27. Fred Goode & Mitch Britzman (1,247) 1976
28. Larry Smith & Abe Brown (1,103) 1968
29. Cary Hoshaw & Ken Johnson (1,078) 1971
Boise State jumped to a 21-0 halftime lead, and then held on to defeat rival Fresno State 28-14 and capture its first Mountain West Conference championship last night at Albertsons Stadium in Boise.
Grant Hedrick threw for 155 yards and ran for a team-leading 81 yards to lead the Broncos to victory. Boise State (11-2) earned the highest ranking for a "Group of 5" team (the "non-elite" conferences) and will play Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Eve.
Hedrick got Boise State on the board with their first drive, scoring on a 20-yard keeper. Linebacker Tanner Vallejo stepped in front of a Brian Burrell pass and scored on a 63-yard interception return with 1:56 remaining in the quarter. Star running back Jay Ajayi carried defenders with him as he scored from nine yards out midway through the second quarter.
Boise State then extended their lead to 28-0 on a 21-yard run from Hedrick, and was seemingly in command after a punt pinned FSU on their own six-yard line. But Burrell threaded the Bronco secondary with numerous completions over the middle of the field, and 19-plays later, Josh Quezada bulled over from the two-yard line to give Fresno State their first score.
Although the Bronco defense continued to allow the passes over the middle, they allowed just one more Bulldog score, a TD strike from Burrell to Greg Watson with 5:31 remaining.
Charles Washington recovered the ensuing onsides kickoff, but a 15-yard penalty and a sack by Sam McCaskill hampered the Bulldog drive, and a fourth down pass from Burrell to Aaron Peck fell incomplete just short of the goal line.
The Bulldogs held Boise State to a three-and-out, however, and after receiving a punt advanced the ball to the Bronco 34. But on third down, defensive end Beau Martin jumped up to intercept a Burrell pass to the flats, and the Broncos clinched their third Fiesta Bowl berth in the last nine years.
Fresno State controlled the ball, converting on an incredible 11 of 23 third-down opportunities to keep the Boise State offense on the sidelines. The Bulldogs outgained Boise State 378-300, but three turnovers cost Fresno State dearly (Donte Deayon also intercepted a pass in the end zone to halt a Bulldog threat in the first quarter.)
Hedrick finished 9-16 passing, and surpassed season totals by Taylor Tharp and Bart Hendricks to move into sixth place all-time at Boise State with 3,368 yards. (See chart at the end of this article.)
The Bulldog defense keyed on star running back Jay Ajayi and held him to 70 yards on 22 carries, but Ajayi did get in the end zone for Boise State's second touchdown of the game.
Ajayi and Hedrick broke the school record for most rushing yards a by a duo in a single season with 2,252. Ajayi tied Ian Johnson for second in rushing TD's in a season with 25.
Passing Yards, Season
1. Ryan Dinwiddie (4,356) 2003
2. Kellen Moore (3,845) 2010
3. Kellen Moore (3,734) 2011
4. Kellen Moore (3,536) 20093. Kellen Moore (3,734) 2011
5. Kellen Moore (3,486) 2008
6. Grant Hedrick (3,368) 2014
8. Bart Hendricks (3,364) 2000
9. Taylor Tharp (3,340) 2007
9. Ryan Dinwiddie (3,043) 2001
9. Ryan Dinwiddie (3,043) 2001
10. Jared Zabransky (2,927) 2004
11. Jim McMillan (2,900) 1974
12. Jared Zabransky (2,887) 2006
13. Tony Hilde (2,787) 1994
14. Bart Hendricks (2,746) 199913. Tony Hilde (2,787) 1994
15. Joe Southwick (2,730) 2012
16. Jared Zabransky (2,562) 2005
17. Vince Alcalde (2,523) 1987
18. Tony Hilde (2,473) 1996
19. Tony Hilde (2,386) 1995
20. Ryan Dinwiddie (2,283) 2002
21. Mike Virden (2,182) 1990
22. Eric Guthrie (2,147) 1971
23. Mike Virden (2,112) 1989
24. Greg Stern (2,000) 1975
25. Joe Aliotti (1,870) 1979
26 Grant Hedrick (1,825) 2013
27. Hazsen Choates (1,804) 1984
28. Bart Hendricks (1,799) 1998
29. Keith Jarrett (1,699) 1986
30. Duane Halliday (1,695) 1988
31. Joe Southwick (1,654) 2013
32. Joe Aliotti (1,590) 1980
33. Hoskin Hogan (1,565) 1977
34. Gerald DesPres (1,560) 1982
35. Jim McMillan (1,525) 1973
36. Ron Autele (1,522) 1972
37. Tony Hilde (1,461) 1993
38. B.J. Rhode (1,444) 2002
39. Dee Pickett (1,398) 1976
40. Tim Klena (1,199) 1981
41. Hoskin Hogan (1,191) 1978
42. Nate Sparks (1,157) 1997
43. Bart Hendricks (1,121) 1997
44. Gerald DesPres (1,034) 1981
45. Jim McMillan (1,027) 1972
Season
1. Brock Forsey (26) 2002
2. Ian Johnson (25) 2006
2. Jay Ajayi (25) 2014
4. Jay Ajayi (18) 2013
5. Ian Johnson (16) 2007
2. Jay Ajayi (25) 2014
4. Jay Ajayi (18) 2013
5. Ian Johnson (16) 2007
5. Chris Jackson (16) 1987
5. Doug Martin (16) 2011
8. D.J. Harper (15) 2012
5. Doug Martin (16) 2011
8. D.J. Harper (15) 2012
8. Doug Martin (15) 2009
10. Jon Helmandollar (14) 2004
11. Ian Johnson (13) 2008
11. Ian Johnson (13) 2008
11. Jared Zabransky (13) 2004
11. David Mikell (13) 200311. Brock Forsey (13) 2001
15. Doug Martin (12) 2010
15. Ryan Dinwiddie (12) 2003
15. Rodney Webster (12) 1981
18. Jeremy Avery (11) 2010)
18. Jared Zabransky (11) 2005
18. Eron Hurley (11) 1998
18. Cedric Minter (11) 1980
22. Antwaun Carter (10) 2005
22. Chris Thomas (10) 1989
22. Abe Brown (10) 1969
25. Brock Forsey (9) 2000
25. Tony Hilde (9) 1995
25. K.C. Adams (9) 1994
25. Jon Francis (9) 1985
25. Cedric Minter (9) 1979
25. Cedric Minter (9) 1978
25. Eric Guthrie (9) 1968)
25. Abe Brown (9) 1968)
Most Rushing Yards by a Duo
(the top two rushers in a season)
1. Jay Ajayi & Grant Hedrick (2,252) 2014
2. Brock Forsey & David Mikell (2,217) 2002
3. Ian Johnson & Brett Denton (2,061) 2006
4. Cedric Minter & David Hughes (2,021) 1978
5. Jeremy Avery & Doug Martin (1,916) 2009
6. Doug Martin & D.J. Harper (1,856) 2011
7. Brock Forsey & David Mikell (1,775) 2001
8. Doug Martin & Jeremy Avery (1,755) 2010
9. Ian Johnson & Jeremy Avery (1,713) 2007
10. Jay Ajayi & Grant Hedrick (1,702) 2013
11. D.J. Harper & Jay Ajayi (1,685) 2012
12. K.C. Adams & Willie Bowens (1,608) 1994
13. Cedric Minter & Terry Zahner (1,601) 1977
14. Cedric Minter & Terry Zahner (1,600) 1980
15. David Mikell & Donny Heck (1,588) 2003
16. Cedric Minter & David Hughes (1,587) 1979
17. Jon Francis & Todd Anderson (1,557) 1985
18. Eron Hurley & Shaunard Harts (1,548) 1998
19. Rodney Webster & John Broadous (1,507) 1981
20. Chris Jackson & Ty Ogata (1,499) 1987
21. Jon Francis & Dean Collins (1,457) 1984
22. Rodney Webster & Greg Harrison (1,434) 1983
23. Lee Marks & Ian Johnson (1,422) 2005
24. Ian Johnson & Jeremy Avery (1,380) 2008
25. Lee Marks & Jared Zabransky 1,294) 2004
26. Brock Forsey & David Mikell (1,266) 2000
27. Fred Goode & Mitch Britzman (1,247) 1976
28. Larry Smith & Abe Brown (1,103) 1968
29. Cary Hoshaw & Ken Johnson (1,078) 1971
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