Boise State Topples Virginia Tech With Fast Start, Late Touchdown

LANDOVER, Md. -- Boise State argued this preseason that it wasn't concerned about proving critics wrong anymore. Instead, the third-ranked Broncos are determined to justify their lofty status and, as head coach Chris Petersen eloquently reasoned, prove everyone right.

Right on – barely yet dramatically.

Boise State squandered an early 17-point advantage but regrouped in the closing minutes to beat 10th-ranked Virginia Tech 33-30 here Monday night at Fedex Field.

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The Broncos rallied from a pair of second-half deficits to keep their BCS title hopes alive, much to the chagrin of those who argue they have a far easier path than most to the championship game.

Kellen Moore's 13-yard touchdown pass to Austin Pettis with 1:09 left in the game capped a 56-yard drive in five plays that took all of 38 seconds.

"They (players) were very calm and the kids executed the plays like clockwork," Petersen said of his team's heroics.

The stunned Hokies were held on downs on their final possession. They also missed an opportunity to seal the game a possession earlier, but could not convert on third-and-8 from their own 33 yard line with less than two minutes remaining.

"I firmly believe we are going to be a good football team," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "We weren't a great football team tonight; we made some critical mistakes, but I firmly believe we are going to be a great football team.

"When it's all said and done, we were one first down from winning that football game,"

Over the last decade, the Broncos have gone from loved underdogs to one of the big dogs in the country.

They now have won 27 consecutive regular season games. Over the past four years, they have won two BCS bowls and want to take that final step into the BCS championship game in January.

After trailing just four times last season, Boise State squeezed every ounce out of Monday's drama before a sold-out crowd of 86,587 and a national television audience.

Moore, 27-1 during his career, completed three consecutive passes and 4-of-5 during the winning drive. The march was aided by a Virginia Tech personal foul that gave the Broncos possession at the Hokies 13 yard line.

Moore completed 23 of 38 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Nine different players had receptions, while Doug Martin led the team with 83 rushing yards.

The Broncos had received a first-place vote while getting their highest preseason ranking after going 14-0 and beating then-No. 3 TCU 17-10 in the Fiesta Bowl last season.

The Hokies, meanwhile, were looking to prove they belonged among the nation's elite, and that their dismal record against top five teams (1-18 all-time) was more aberration than fact. They are also 0-22 against top-ranked teams away from their familiar confines of Blacksburg, Va.

Fact -- again, though the Hokies nearly ruined the Broncos ' postseason plans.

Running back Ryan Williams accounted for three touchdowns -- two rushing, one receiving -- and quarterback Tyrod Taylor relied on his arm and feet to pace Virginia Tech.

Taylor passed for 186 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 73 yards for the Hokies, who for the fourth straight season took a deflating early season loss. The Hokies were held to 128 rushing yards.

Williams' 1-yard run pushed Virginia Tech in the lead for the first time in the game at 21-20 at the 6:34 mark in the third quarter.

After the Broncos answered in explosive fashion on D.J. Harper's 71-yard run -- Kyle Brotzman's extra point was blocked -- to regain the lead at 26-21, the Hokies responded.

Taylor's 28-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett Boykin pushed Virginia Tech back in front at 27-26 with 2:40 remaining in the third quarter.(Taylor's 2-point conversion pass failed).

Chris Hazley's 34-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter extended the Hokies' lead to 30-26.

Moore made sure it wasn't enough.

Trailing 17-0 after the first quarter and on the verge of an embarrassing blowout, the Hokies settled in during the second quarter. They relied on a double dose of Williams.

Williams' 1-yard run and 12-yard touchdown reception from Taylor helped trim the deficit to 20-14 at halftime. Limited to 5 total yards in the first quarter, the Hokies gained 135 yards and had possession for more than 11 minutes in the second.

The Broncos pushed their advantage to 20-7 on Brotzman's 47-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

It was a nightmarish opening quarter for the Hokies, who last trailed 17-0 after one quarter in 1992 against Miami.

They lost a fumble, suffered a blocked punt and ran into punter Brotzman to extend the drive and lead to the Broncos' third score for a 17-0 advantage.

Boise State dominated across the board, outgaining Virginia Tech 76-5.

Pick your poison.

The Broncos scored on a field goal (Brotzman from 44 yards) and two passes -- Moore for seven yards to Austin Pettis and two yards to Tommy Gallarda, who made a sensational one-handed catch in the end-zone corner.

After two quick scores in just under three minutes, Boise State also displayed its efficiency by marching 78 yards on 12 plays for its second touchdown.

Of course, the drive also magnified Virginia Tech's early struggles. It committed three penalties -- running into the kicker, personal foul and pass interference in the end zone -- that helped make it easier for the Broncos.