Boise State Holds Off Arizona Rally to Win Fiesta Bowl

It was like old times in the desert, as No. 20 Boise State (12-2) used trick plays to help secure a 38-30 win over No. 10 Arizona (10-4). The Broncos scored on four of their first five possessions to jump out to a 28-7 lead early in the second quarter, but then had to hold on as Arizona’s late rally fell short inside Boise State’s ten-yard line.

Bronco running back Jay Ajayi was the player of the game, rushing for 134 yards and three touchdowns—including one on Boise State’s favorite Statue of Liberty Play.

But all of Boise’s offensive points came in the first half and it was up to the defense to hold on for the win. Cornerback Donte Deayon returned an interception for a touchdown late in the third quarter and the defense held Arizona to just three field goals on long drives into Boise State territory. But the game came down to the last play, when the defense got its biggest play of the year, sacking Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon at the Broncos ten-yard line as time expired.

The win moved Boise State to 5-1 in its last six bowl games while snapping Arizona’s two-game bowl winning streak.