Fiesta Bowl Live Blog: Real Question is Can Boise Hold TCU's Offense?

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- So much of the focus during tonight's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will be on the No.1-ranked TCU defense against Boise State's No.1 scoring offense: The classic strength-on-strength matchup.

But what about the matchup of the third-ranked Horned Frogs' offense against the sixth-ranked Boise State defense? That seems be where this game will be decided.

The Frogs, once a one-dimensional running offense, have emerged as a high-powered unit this season with quarterback Andy Dalton at the controls. The 80,000-plus who will pack the University of Phoenix Stadium will be treated the fourth-highest scoring offense in the nation (41 points per game) and the fifth overall offense (469.08 yards per game).

Which means the Broncos sometimes inconsistent defense will have its hands full. Boise State ranks 14th in the country in total defense (300 yards per game) and 15th in scoring defense (18 points per game).

Their ability to slow TCU will be key, because you can bet the Broncos offense won't come anywhere near its 44 points per game average against the Frogs' defense even if quarterback Kellen Moore has a great game. TCU, led by All-American defensive end Jerry Hughes, comes into tonight ranked No.1 in total defense (233 yards per game) and fourth in scoring defense (12 points per game).

"I think that's the key to the matchup right there, without question," said Boise State coach Chris Petersen, whose team lost to TCU 17-16 during last year's Poinsettia Bowl. "Our defense is going to have to slow those guys down somewhat. I mean, if TCU scores 40 points, that's not going to be good. If they get their average, that's not going to be good for us.

"Their defense just doesn't allow that many points. They just don't. And so for me, I think that's way more the focus than our offense against their defense. You know, we kind of saw what happened last year when those two sides matched up. Wasn't a whole lot of points."

Pregame:

Who says these two mid-major program, non-automatic BCS schools can't pack them in. The near capacity crowd is electric with the Boise Crowd seeming to slightly outnumber TCU.

The more than 80,000-fans at the University of Phoenix Stadium are here to see history. This is the first BCS bowl comprised of two non-BCS programs.

The Boise fans certainly feel like they have the advantage since this is their second time here in the last three years. This, of course, is TCU's first BCS bid.

FIRST QUARTER

A couple quick early observations. Boise State has come out in quite a different defensive scheme. They've gone to a three-man front with the safety playing much closer to the line of scrimmage. We'll see how that goes against a TCU unit that is equally capable of beating you running it or throwing the ball.

During the first couple of series, both offenses have been a little jittery. Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore was way off on all three of his first three passes. TCU didn't fair much better in its opening drive.

But the Frogs are moving the ball on their second drive. Dalton made a nice gain on a QB draw and Tucker just picked up 9 yards on a carry.

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Can you say Pick Six? The Broncos get on the board first when corner backer Brandyn Thompson steps in front of a Dalton slant pass and returns it 51 yards for a touchdown to give the Broncos a 7-0 lead with 11:58 remaining in the first quarter.

The Broncos adjusted defense, a 3-2-6 has to be confusing for Dalton.

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There was plenty of action during the opening quarter, just very little scoring. Boise State's offense certainly has TCU's No.1 defense on its heels with array of trick plays. Moore, Young and Avery are causing the Frogs fits. Young has had the TCU secondary beat deep on a couple pass plays but Moore overthrew him. Look for that connection to eventually come through.

Defensively, the Broncos have been quicker and more aggressive than the TCu offense. Dalton was picked off for a touchdown and then briefly knocked out of the game on a safety blitz by safety Kyle Wilson.

SECOND QUARTER

For Brotzman the secret is obviously kicking from the right hash. A few series after the Boise kicker missed a 36 yard field goal attempt from the left hash, he made good on a 40-yard attempt from the right hash to deliver the Broncos a 10-0 lead with 8:02 remaining in the first half.

The Boise State offense has continued to keep TCU backing up. It just seems the Broncos have too many weapons and too much imagination for TCU to keep up with.

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Using a hurry up offense in the final minute of the half, TCU finally got some movement and some points before halftime. After moving the ball down field, Dalton hit receiver Curtis Clay perfectly on a deep pass for a 30-yard touchdown reception that pulled the Frogs within 10-7 with 49 seconds remaining.

TCU's touchdown pass was the first and only touchdown of the half for either team.

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HALFTIME

This game couldn't have started much worse for TCU with the Boise State offense dominating and the Frogs offense just flat stumbling.

But TCU finally redeemed itself some with its final drive of the half that ended with a 30-yard touchdown throw from Dalton to Clay that pulled the Frogs within 10-7. When the undefeated Frogs trailed 10-0 it was it's largest deficit since trailing Boise State 13-0 in last year's Poinsettia Bowl.

But now the real fun begins as both teams come out of the locker room after their halftime adjustments. Count on the Broncos come out with an entirely different playbook for the final 30 minutes.

Petersen's play calling kept the Frogs on their heels the entire first half. Moore seemed to make all of the right decisions in executing the offense. the most surprising stat so far is that Boise is actually out rushed TCU 48 to 28 in the first two quarters and holds a 17:03 to 12:57 time of possession advantage.

The key for TCU in the second half has to be patience in the running game. The Frogs relied to heavily on the pass as Dalton tried to get his footing under heavy pressure from the Boise State defense.

THIRD QUARTER<

The Horned Frogs took advantage of a huge turnover by Doug Martin to tied the game 10-10 on a 29-yard Ross Evans field goal.

The score was made possible when TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes made the fumble-jarring hit on Martin and then recovered the fumble himself.

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After Ross Evans' 29-yard field goal tied the game up, the Frogs and Broncos head into the fourth quarter tied 10-10. Anyone ready for the fireworks that are sure to ensue.

FOURTH QUARTER

How about the resilience of Boise Corner Brandyn Thompson? After being burned twice by Young for big gains, he makes the critical interception on Dalton's third pass to thwart a scoring drive. It's his second interception of Dalton tonight.

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That Boise State fourth-quarter magic seems to be alive once again. With the offense needing a spark, the Broncos made good on a fake punt when punter Brotzman hit Kyle Efaw alone over the middle for a 29-yard gain to keep a drive alive. That play not only gave Boise a new set of downs but sparked the Broncos down the field as they cashed in four plays later when Doug Martin went airborne for a two-yard touchdown run that put Boise ahead 17-10 with 7:21 left to play.

FINAL

it may have lacked the drama of Boise State's last hook-and-ladder 2007 Fiesta Bowl win, but the Broncos came up with the trickery when they needed it to pull out the 17-10 victory over the Horned Frogs on Monday night.

The fake punt that set up Martin's game-winning touchdown became the defining moment as Boise State capped its undefeated season at the University of Phoenix Stadium.