One Play Can Win a Ballgame, But One Play Can't Lose It

#4 Nevada Wolfpack 34, Boise State Broncos 31 [OT] Nov. 26

People across the country had many and varying reasons for cheering for Boise State in college football.  The team from the northwest, who had become the NCAA football counterpart to the Gonzaga Bulldogs in NCAA basketball, was seen as an outsider trying to get into the party that was invitation-only and for insiders.  Many people wanted to see another undefeated Bronco team be turned away at the door of the “National Championship” game in hopes that it would be another step toward the implosion of the BCS.

But in 2010, this was not to be.  Late on a Friday night in Reno, Boise State and Nevada played an incredible game that will most likely and unfortunately be remembered for two missed field goal attempts.

Boise State jumped out to an early lead and looked to be cruising to yet another win as they held a 24-7 lead at the break.  But the Wolfpack offense came to life in the second half, led by senior quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who will leave big shoes to fill next season.  His rushing TD got Nevada on the board in the second half and the 7-yard TD pass to Rishard Matthews with 13 seconds left looked like it was all that Nevada would need to send the game into overtime, tied at 31. Instead, it was a missed opportunity for Boise State that would force an extra session.

With just nine seconds remaining in regulation and on his own 38-yard-line, Bronco QB Kellen Moore flung a 53-yard pass down the field to Titus Young and Boise would have it at the Nevada 9 to set up a potential game-winning FG from 26 yards away.  Unfortunately for the usually reliable Boise kicker, Kyle Brotzman, he pushed it and the Broncos would have to try to win this one in OT.

Even more unfortunate for Brotzman was that Boise State couldn’t get the ball across the goal line in overtime and needed his services again.  This time, he pulled a 29-yard attempt and the game remained tied.  It was tied, that is, until Reno’s hometown hero Anthony Martinez connected on a 34-yard attempt, bringing Boise State’s perfect season to an end, 34-31.