MAACO Bowl
MAACO Bowl recap
Broncos claim third consecutive bowl win in Las Vegas
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MAACO Bowl recap Video by IdahoOnYourSide.com
video
Boise State defeated Washington 28-26 on Saturday to become the first team to ever win three straight Las Vegas Bowl appearances.
"We really enjoy Las Vegas," quipped coach Chris Petersen.
Senior kicker Michael Frisina had a particularly enjoyable trip, going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, including the game-winner with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter. It was the most clutch kick that Frisina could ever remember making.
"It's every kicker's dream to hit a game-winning field goal," beamed Frisina.
"For this one to come in my last collegiate game and the last of my career... I couldn't ask for anything more."
Boise State quarterback Joe Southwick turned in an efficient performance, passing for 264 yards and two touchdowns, while avoiding throwing an interception for the fourth straight game. Southwick said after the game that he knew he could play at this level.
"It's just a lot of work and moving parts to fit the puzzle together," he noted.
"The last three or four games, it's really shown."
Broncos linebacker J.C. Percy capped off his stellar senior season with 17 tackles, the second-highest total in Las Vegas Bowl history.
"To be able to go out with all these seniors as 4-time bowl champions... I think it's great," beamed Percy.
"I'm so proud to be a part of this program."
Standout Washington runningback Bishop Sankey had to settle for the game's most valuable player award, marking the first time it has ever been awarded to a member of the losing team. Sankey described the bittersweet feeling succinctly.
"The MVP trophy doesn't mean much when you come out the loser."
The Broncos will be short 23 seniors when they face the Huskies again in next season's opener. Washington will lose just 12 players to graduation.
Despite Saturday's defeat, Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian thinks his young team is improving and headed in the right direction.
"I believe we're going to win these close ones late in the ball game, and we'll be that 9, 10, 11-win team sooner than later."
Added Sarkisian, "They'll come ready to play. We've got nine months to get ready for them."
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