#37 Washington – 7
#5 Boise State – 14
Washington QB Keith Price watches the ball fly out of HB Chis Polk's grasp in the third quarter
BOISE, Idaho --
Blue and
Green have exhausted their quota of second round matchups, and they may not see each other again for a while.
With
Blue nearly getting ousted from the Southleft region thanks largely to
Green, he may consider himself fortunate.
#5 Boise State, meanwhile, is still searching for their form following a close victory over
#37 Washington. They were held in check for the second game in a row by a slow pace and stingy Husky defense.
"Nothing came e_z," noted Boise running back Doug Martin.
The Broncos got on the scoreboard first, but not without a sincere
Red impersonation on their opening drive, which ended early in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Martin.
Washington punted on their first drive, but later converted an Adam Long interception into points when QB Keith Price found WR Jermaine Kearse for a 10-yard score in the final seconds of the first half.
Starting with the ball in the second half, the Huskies quickly turned in the longest play of the game - a 33-yard catch and run by TE Chris Izbicki. However, two snaps later, running back Chris Polk fumbled in Bronco territory, and Boise State recovered. The game's only fumble turned out to be its most pivotal play, stealing all momentum from a young but poised Washington team.
On the ensuing drive, another 1-yard score from Doug Martin on 4th and goal put the
Blue man group ahead for good. Boise State finished the game 3 for 3 on fourth down.
Washington advanced into the red zone on their next possession, but turned it over on downs when Price overthrew his receiver in the Boise end zone.
Leading 14-7 late in the fourth quarter, Boise State still had anxious moments to overcome. Needing one first down to end the game, Kellen Moore was sacked at his own 2-yard line while waiting for Martin to get free on a screen play. Two plays later, they were able to punt without incident, though Washington was left with a short field for their attempt to tie the game.
Continuing a trend of game-clinching interceptions, FS Travis Stanaway picked off Price on the second play of the final Husky drive, and Boise exhaled.
Following an ELITE performance from #PapaGeno,
#21 West Virginia will continue their crusade on the
Blue turf in the sweet sixteen.
Boise State and Washington will meet again in Seattle to open the 2013 season.
Stats:
Boise State
105 total yards
3/3 on fourth down
HB Doug Martin – 20 rushes, 79 yards, 2 TDs
MLB Byron Hout – FF
DE Shea McClelin – FR
FS Travis Stanaway – INT
Washington
1/2 on fourth down
FS Adam Long – INT
