hook and ladder and I'm tired

No, not the Firehouse Subs Hook and Ladder (though it is muy delicioso), I'm speaking about what could amount to be the best 4th quarter (and then some) of football I've seen in years. Here's a breakdown:

1. Boise State leads Oklahoma by 8 points with 2:40 left in the 4th quarter. This is a big deal for old BSU, home to the bluest field in the world, as they come into the game undefeated but hailing from a second rate conference and looking for some respect on a national scale. Their defense had been stopping the Sooners all night but on this drive, OU goes right down the field and ties the game with a nice TD and 2 point conversion.

2. Most BSU fans probably begin to think, "Okay, there's a minute and change left, all we need is a few first downs and we can kick the game winner." Bryan, that's me, thinks the same thing.

3. However, OU does not think this and promptly intercepts the very first pass from scrimmage and returns it for a touchdown. I'm sure most of the country, at this point, decided that the game was well in hand and they could turn off their televisions. I certainly did, but decided to stay up as I had about four pages left in a book I was reading (C.S. Lewis, Til We Have Faces).

4. BSU gets a couple of plays off but faces 4th and 18 with about 20 seconds left. Begin part 1 of bizarre land. BSU runs the hook and ladder, which though quite effective when playing tag football in your front yard, NEVER works at anything past the high school level. Basically this is a play where one receiver catches a ball and then pitches to another receiver running by him. It usually doesn't work because at these levels, people are just too fast and prepared. But not here, it worked to perfection, game tied. Thus begins bizarre land, part 2, which starts with one of my favorite things in college football, overtime.

5. On the first play, Adrian Peterson runs the ball 25 yards for a touchdown, virtually untouched. Again, you get a sense of the game being over. BSU doesn't get the memo.

6. BSU scores after several plays and then does the unthinkable (but probably a smart decision), they go for two to win. My guess is that they were tired and needed to just put it away but I'm sure some BSU fans were more than a bit upset at the call.

7. BSU runs a fake WR screen that turns into a behind the back handoff to the slowest running back I've ever seen who lumbers into the end zone for 2 points and an amazing win.

So now the "national championship" talk begins with BSU griping about not being considered. Did they make a good case that they are a competitive team, yes. But they beat Oklahoma, which is not the same as Ohio State, Florida, Michigan (though this might not mean much now), USC, etc. The Big 12 was pretty mediocre this year so I don't know that beating OU is this amazing thing.

At the same time BSU knows they play in a second tier conference, so it is imperative that they schedule some decent out of conference competition if they want to be taken seriously. But, I hope they enjoy the win because they earned it. I just wish I didn't have to stay up until almost 1am to see the whole thing.