Boise State wins third straight Vegas Bowl thanks to field goal

279. Yards gained in 36 touches by Washington running back Bishop Sankey. Sankey was easily the star of the game, just like he was the star of the second half of Washington’s season. Plays involving Sankey averaged 7.8 yards per play; Washington’s other 41 plays averaged just 4.1. Sankey was able to avoid disaster when the blocking broke down (Boise State had just four tackles for loss for the game, and all were sacks; none came against the Washington run), and he was able to take full advantage when the blocking held up. And late in the first half, he took a throwback screen 42 yards on third-and-6; it set up a momentum-turning touchdown.

6. Approximate number of total starters Boise State returned in 2012. The Broncos went 50-3 in four seasons from 2008-11, but they lost the lion’s share of their household names after last season’s 12-1 run. We knew they would take a step backwards in 2012, and they did ... all the way to 11-2. The defense was still a top 20 unit (which makes Sankey’s accomplishments even more impressive), the offense was decent, if lacking in explosiveness, and the special teams unit was still decent, if once again lacking in a reliable kicking unit. (Boise State did make three field goals on Saturday, but still had a PAT blocked, which could have cost the Broncos the game.)

Boise State led by as many as eight points after a touchdown midway through the third quarter. But the Huskies fought back to take a lead -- their only of the game -- with just 4:09 remaining in the fourth when Travis Coons kicked a 38-yard field goal.

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Brent Musburger is known for his awareness of gambling things. He’d be really popular on college football Twitter, where everybody pretends to gamble way more than they really do.

But when it comes to Brent, we believe you, sir. We believe you.

Other than Washington running back Bishop Sankey’s ferocious running (122 yards), some traditional Boise State special teams (the Huskies blocked an extra point), MAACO’s impressively homemade commercials and Joe Southwick’s scrambliness, the Vegas Bowl has been a little bit of a snoozer.

Until now! The Broncos broke out a play Kirk Herbstreit had called for a quarter earlier, with Chris Potter taking in a throw before redistributing it 34 yards downfield to Holden Huff. Holden rolled in, using the Washington defender as a buffer against the ground. And the above horse fan celebrated as such.

Boise State is pulling out all the stops for the Maaco Bowl in Las Vegas. And why not? Brent Musburger is going to be there living it up, the Broncos have a chance to win their fourth straight bowl game and Chris Petersen is staying in Boise after another year of being mentioned in just about every coaching rumor.

So to celebrate, here’s some black matte helmets like something out of a sci-fi movie.

The suspension marks Lawrence’s second of the season. The All-Mountain West defensive lineman racked up a team-leading 9 1/2 sacks and 13 1/2 tackles for a loss during the 2012 regular season despite missing the Broncos’ games against UNLV and Air Force. Lawrence likely would have been a factor for Boise State on Saturday against a Washington offensive line that ranks among the worst in the nation in sacks allowed.

The Broncos have dealt with at least 15 player suspensions this season, according to Cripe, with head coach Chris Peterson stating in November that the program would “operate a certain way, and if you’re not, we’re not changing our standard for your actions.”

Las Vegas Bowl, Boise State vs. Washington, 3:30 p.m. EST, Dec. 22, ESPN

After a lull in the bowl season action with the Beef O’ Brady’s Bowl in St. Petersburg on Friday night, Saturday’s matchup between Boise State and Washington should keep viewers interested.

Boise State earned a share of the Mountain West Conference championship finishing the season with a 10-2 overall record, 7-1 in conference. The Broncos were scheduled to make this their last MWC game with plans to jump to the Big East, but with the current state of the Big East in flux, Boise State is reportedly reconsidering staying in the Mountain West.

Boise State will try to win their third consecutive Las Vegas Bowl against a Pac-12 opponent when they face Washington. While both teams boast plenty of offensive weapons, the Broncos have an edge on the defensive side of the ball. Boise State’s defense allows less than 15 points per game which currently ranks them sixth among FBS teams. After losing their first game of the season to Michigan State, the Broncos finished the season winning 10 of 11 games with just a 21-19 loss to San Diego State their only MWC loss.

2. To watch Shaq Thompson. Seriously, this guy cannot possibly be a freshman.

3. To figure out Keith Price. Price was the Next Big Thing heading into the offseason after his brilliant Alamo Bowl performance last December. But offensive coordinator Jim McElwain left for Alabama and was replaced by former Colorado and Cal assistant Eric Kiesau, and despite an offense that was seemingly custom-built for Price -- rollouts, quick passing, lots of run -- the quarterback just looked lost at the beginning of the season. Granted, a lot of Washington’s early struggles came against great competition, and granted, the Huskies’ offense has improved (thanks mostly to Sankey); but even opponent-adjusted measures are not particularly kind to Washington. Price will get another offseason to figure everything out, but a nice finish against another good D would be a solid boost.

Washington’s Steve Sarkisian has never coached in the Las Vegas Bowl before. You’ll excuse him if he looks way more excited about it than does Boise State’s Chris Petersen, who’s forced to settle for this dang thing like every dang year.

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