COACH CHRIS PETERSEN
G A ME P R EVIEW The run-up was as eventful as the game. Miami moved to No. 1 in the AP poll after beating defending national champion Oklahoma in the fourth week, and they were not afraid to show it. Upon arrival in Phoenix, the Hurricanes deplaned wearing militarystyle fatigues. For its part, more buttoned-down Penn State — No. 2 ranked and also undefeated — took a shot at Miami coach Jimmy Johnson’s a-place-for-every-hair-andevery-hair-in-its-place coif in a skit at the midweek steak fry for both teams, causing Miami players to walk out. The Lions forced seven turnovers, including five interceptions by Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde, and All-American linebacker Shane Conlan’s pick in the fourth quarter set up halfback D.J. Dozier’s 6-yard touchdown run with just more than eight minutes remaining for a 14-10 lead, the Lions’ first lead of the game. Testaverde moved the Hurricanes to the Penn State 5-yard line in the final minute, but linebacker Pete Giftopolous dropped into coverage and intercepted a pass in the end zone to seal the victory. Penn State’s other victories here have come against Arizona State (1977 season), Ohio State (1980), Southern California (1981), Tennessee (1991) and Texas (1996). Average game score: 32-17. Average margin of victory: 15. The Nittany Lions’ defense, always well-prepared in bowl season, have given up five touchdowns in their last four appearances here.
COACH JAMES FRANKLIN
notion that the Huskies will not be ready, willing and able. Peterson pulled so many rabbits out of his hat late in the victory over Oklahoma that he needed another hat. Down by seven points with 18 seconds remaining and facing a fourth-and-18 at midfield, the Broncos executed a hook-and-ladder play perfectly for the tying touchdown. The play was known as “circus” in the Boise State vernacular. After Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson ran for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime, the Broncos faced another fourth down, this time fourth-and-two at the Oklahoma five. Not to worry. A wide receiver who lined up in the shotgun formation threw a touchdown to a tight end who had lined up as a wide receiver to make it 42-41. Instead of going for a tie, Petersen went for two with a “statue of liberty” play, in which halfback Ian Johnson took a surreptitious handoff from the quarterback and scored untouched for the win. Moiments later, Johnson got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend, Boise State head cheerleader Chrissy Popadics, during a live postgame interview. So be prepared.
Rightly, Franklin did not want to get caught up in what came before. “This game is about execution,” Franklin said. “The history is great, and we are excited to be back there. But at the end of the day, it is going to come down to the University of Washington’s 2017 football team and Penn State University’s 2017 football team and all the great coaches and players that we have in our programs, going out and playing well.” Washington may have no Fiesta Bowl experience, but Petersen’s resume dispels any
BEN BURR-KIRVEN 12 T HIERUNNING PL AYSBACK TAT I O N ® F I E S TA B OW L
JASON CABINDA I LINEBACKER
F I E S TA B OW L .O R G
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