The Legacy of Boise State Football
A Program Built on Consistency and Success
Former Boise State coach Chris Petersen still gets asked about the Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma on the first day of 2007. That game had everything. Underdog Boise State took a 28-10 lead over one of college football’s blue bloods, followed by a 25-point Sooners run capped by what could have been a back-breaking interception return for a touchdown with 1:02 left. Then the Broncos used three trick plays that remain sensations to not only force overtime but win 43-42.
And then there was the marriage proposal by Boise State running back Ian Johnson — shortly after scoring the winning two-point play — to cheerleader Chrissy Popadics that was accepted on national TV.
A Legacy of Consistency
Petersen sees the 2007 Fiesta Bowl game differently. "Everybody wants to talk about that Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl game, which is great how it all worked out and all those things," Petersen said. "But we go back to play TCU (three years later) again on the big stage. It’s not as flashy a game, but to me, that was an even better win."
Going back to the Fiesta Bowl and winning, Petersen reasoned, showed the Broncos weren’t a splash soon to fade away, that there was something longer lasting and more substantive happening on the famed blue turf.
The Winning Tradition
The winning has continued with few interruptions. No. 8 and third-seeded Boise State is preparing for another trip to the Fiesta Bowl, this time in a playoff quarterfinal against No. 5 and sixth-seeded Penn State on New Year’s Eve.
That success has continued through a series of coaches, though with a lot more of a common thread than readily apparent. Dirk Koetter was hired from Oregon, where Petersen was the wide receivers coach. Not only did Koetter bring Petersen with him from Oregon, Petersen introduced him to Dan Hawkins, who also was hired for the staff.
Consistency of Leadership
Koetter and Hawkins engineered double-digit victory seasons five times over a six-year span that led to power-conference jobs. Koetter went to Arizona State after three seasons and Hawkins to Colorado after five.
Then when Petersen became the coach after the 2005 season, he led Boise State to double-digit wins his first seven seasons and made bowls all eight years. He resisted the temptation to leave for a power-conference program until Washington lured him away toward the end of the 2013 season.
The Impact of Leadership
Then former Boise State quarterback and offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin took over and posted five double-digit victory seasons over his first six years. After going 5-2 during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he left for Auburn.
"They just needed consistency of leadership," said Koetter, who is back as Boise State’s offensive coordinator. "This program had always won at the junior-college level, the Division II level, the I-AA (now FCS) level."
Conclusion
Boise State’s success is a testament to the program’s ability to adapt and thrive under different coaches and circumstances. With a strong foundation of consistency and leadership, the Broncos continue to make a name for themselves in college football.
FAQs
Q: What is the significance of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl game?
A: The game was a turning point for Boise State, showing that the team was not a one-hit wonder and that there was something more substantial happening on the blue turf.
Q: What is the key to Boise State’s success?
A: Consistency of leadership and attracting top talent have been the primary reasons for the team’s success.
Q: How has the program changed over the years?
A: The program has had different coaches, but the core values of consistency and leadership have remained the same.
Q: What is the impact of the blue turf on the program?
A: The blue turf is a symbol of the program’s identity and a draw for top talent.
