No.19 Nevada Wolf Pack pulled perhaps the greatest upset in college football history as Andy Martinez connected in overtime on a 34 yard field goal and spoiled the No. 4 Boise States’ title hopes with a 34-31 victory at Mackay Stadium, in Reno, Nevada last week.
The Wolf Pack snapped their 10 game-losing streak against the rival Broncos, which began on October 23, 1999, losing the game 52-17. This time around, the Wolf Pack stuck together and kept on persevering with 27 unanswered points of their own, starting in the third quarter. “It’s the greatest victory this university has ever had, I can tell you that,” said Nevada coach Chris Ault, according to ESPN.com.
Nevada (11-1, 6-1 in the Western Athletic Conference), rallied from a 17-point deficit to tie the game with 13 seconds left on a seven yard pass to Rishard Matthews, who had two second-half touchdowns for the Wolf Pack. Matthews was the star of the night with 10 catches for 172 yards receiving. Kyle Brotzman, who led all career active players in scoring, pushed the kick short right, sending this game into overtime. The Wolf Pack won the coin toss and deferred. Brotzman got a second chance to redeem himself, but he pulled the ball far left as he missed two straight field goals: the first one from 26 yards at the end of regulation and missed the second one from 29 yards in overtime. Nevada capitalized on the Broncos’ missed field goal opportunities.
“We’re (Nevada) a team of destiny,” Ault said, according to ESPN.com. “When he missed that field goal, I said, ‘Here we go guys; we got it now.” Colin Kaepernick, senior, Nevada quarterback played the game of his life. “To be honest, I was on a knee on the sideline praying, hoping we get another shot,” said Kaepernick, according to ESPN.com. Kaepernick was 19 for 35 with 259 yards passing, with one touchdown and one interception. The Wolf Pack had a total of 259 passing yards and 269 rushing yards, giving them 528 total yards of offense.
Boise State fell to 10-1, 6-1 WAC. This loss will be remembered forever, because it is the last year that the Broncos will be in the WAC, since they accepted the invitation to go to the Mountain West Conference next year. After winning 24 straight games, the Broncos have outscored their opponents 1,070-355, but their winning streak has come to a devastating ending. “We (Boise State) had a chance to win it,” said Broncos coach Chris Petersen, according to ESPN.com. “You play two evenly matched teams, it usually comes down to a couple of plays. It’s tough; it probably shouldn’t have come down to that.”
The Broncos had a 24-7 lead in the first half, but they just couldn’t hold on as the pressure of the Wolf Pack offense put their passing game to the test. It worked into winning perfection. Kellen Moore, Broncos junior quarterback was 20 for 31 with 348 yards passing and threw for two touchdowns. “I’m a loss for words,” said Moore, according to ESPN.com, who suffered only his second loss in 38 games as Boise State’s quarterback. “Hopefully, we’ll learn something from this.” Doug Martin, junior Broncos running back had 24 carries for 152 yards rushing, and two touchdowns.
Boise State in this contest, had 348 passing yards and 145 yards rushing, giving them 493 total yards of offense. However, they will not be able to play for the BCS national championship, because of this loss. The Broncos, during the regular season, have outscored their opponents 510-149 and will close out the regular season at home against Utah State, a game that is just for bragging rights, as the Broncos will have to qualify for a lower bowl bid.
