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Boise State wins wild Fiesta Bowl on conversion in OT

Jan 2, 2007 - 7:09 AM GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Ian Johnson rewarded Boise State coach Chris Petersen's gutsy call.

Johnson ran in a faked two-point conversion pass in overtime as the ninth-ranked Broncos capped a perfect season with a wild 43-42 triumph over No. 7 Oklahoma at the Fiesta Bowl.

Completing its first season under Petersen and playing in its first BCS bowl, Boise State (13-0) failed to hold an 18-point third-quarter lead before scoring a dramatic touchdown to force overtime.

But in the extra session, Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson, returning from a seven-game absence due to a broken collarbone, scored on a 25-yard run to give the Sooners a 42-35 lead.

One 4th-and-2 from the 5, Broncos quarterback Jared Zabransky went in motion and wide receiver Vinny Perretta found tight end Derek Schouman in the back of the end zone.

Instead of kicking the extra point, Petersen had his team go for the win. Zabransky faked a pass to his right and Johnson ran left into the end zone to cap the dramatic contest.

Johnson finished with 101 yards - his ninth 100-yard game this season - and a touchdown on 23 carries. After the game, he proposed to his girlfriend, Christine.

"They are so physical up front, we had to try something a little different," Petersen said of the trick play to win the game.

Oklahoma (11-3) trailed, 28-10, midway through the third quarter after a 27-yard interception return by Mardy Tadman.

But the Sooners rallied, tying the game with 1:26 left in regulation a deflected five-yard pass from Paul Thompson - who had turned the ball over four times - to Quentin Chaney and a two-point conversion pass to Juaquin Iglesias. Oklahoma needed just six plays and 1:14 to cover 77 yards on the drive.

On the next play, Sooners defensive back Marcus Walker picked off Zabransky and raced untouched 33 yards for a touchdown, giving Oklahoma a stunning 35-28 lead with 1:02 to go.

With the Broncos down to their last play on 4th-and-18 from midfield, Zabransky threw a 15-yard pass to Drisan James, who pitched the ball to fellow receiver Jerard Rabb, who sprinted the remaining 35 yards to the end zone, tying the game with seven seconds left.

"It was a crazy, wild game," Sooners coach Bob Stoops said. "Felt early on, of course, we made too many major mistakes that really put us in a bad position. But I'm proud of the way the guys fought back, responded to give themselves an opportunity to win.

"In the end, Boise made, you know, the big plays on some fourth downs and a two-point play. Give them ... the credit for making those plays. They did an excellent job."

Petersen said his team practiced the hook-and-ladder play all season.

"You hope you never have to call it because it's not a good situation," he said. "But we work on it every week, once a week on Friday. The guys love it. We could probably practice it about 10 minutes because they love it. Half the time the linemen run down and get involved with the pitch. I'm glad they actually remember they can't go down field on the pass."

Zabransky completed 19-of-29 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Thompson was 19-of-32 for 233 yards and two TDs but threw three interceptions and lost a fumble.

Peterson ran for 77 yards - leaving him 73 shy of Billy Sims' school career record of 4,118 - and two TDs on 20 carries. He is mulling a decision to enter the NFL draft, where he would be a likely top-10 pick.

"Well, I got a little time," Peterson said. "So basically just sit back, you know, find some time to relax, think over everything. You know, then I'll make my decision. No rush."

The Broncos gave their orange-and-blue faithful plenty of reasons to cheer in the first half of the opening quarter.

Less than six minutes into the contest, Zabransky opened the scoring with a 49-yard pass to a wide-open James after faking a handoff. Defensive end Mike Williams sacked Thompson and forced and recovered a fumble on the Sooners' next play from scrimmage, and Ian Johnson scored on a two-yard run two plays later, giving Boise State a 14-0 lead.

Thompson methodically marched the Sooners down the field and capped a 14-play, 82-yard drive with an eight-yard TD pass to Manuel Johnson with 26 seconds left in the quarter. However, with a chance to tie the game early in the second, the senior was intercepted in the end zone by Tadman.

The score was 14-10 in the final minute of the first half when James fielded a pass from Zabransky near the right sideline, cut inside to elude a defender before darting to his right and diving into the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown.

After Tadman's interception made it 28-10, the Broncos forced a punt. But Michael Cohen's kick nicked blocker Aiona Key and Walker recovered at the Boise State 11, leading to an eight-yard run by Peterson two plays later.

The Sooners had a 1st-and-goal opportunity at the 7 on their next drive but had to settle for Garrett Hartley's 28-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter, which pulled them within 28-20.