GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Boise State Broncos tapped into some of that VIZIO Fiesta Bowl magic, jumping ahead 21-0 in the first quarter. But the Arizona Wildcats didn’t go quietly and it came down to a defensive stop on the final play. Here’s how it all went down at University of Phoenix Stadium on Wednesday as Boise State topped Arizona 38-30.
It was over when: Holding a 38-30 edge, the Broncos sacked Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon at the Boise State 10-yard line on the game's final play. Kamalei Correa brought Solomon down near the sideline with four seconds left, and the Wildcats couldn't stop the clock.
Turning point: With Arizona trailing 31-20 near the end of the third quarter, Solomon was intercepted by Boise State’s Donte Deayon, who returned it 16 yards for a touchdown to put the Broncos ahead 38-20 with less than two minutes left in the quarter. It was Boise State's only points of the second half.
Key stat: 14-6. The Broncos turned two Arizona turnovers into a pair of touchdowns. The Wildcats only managed a couple of field goals off turnovers.
Game ball goes to: Though the Wildcats were able to shut him down for three quarters, you can’t overlook what Boise State running back Jay Ajayi did in the first 15 minutes of play, when he rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns (he added a third TD run early in the second quarter). Putting the Wildcats in a 21-0 first-quarter hole obviously changed the entire dynamic of the game, and Ajayi contributed to 21 of Boise State's first 28 points. He finished with 134 yards on 22 carries and the three scores.
Play of the game: Play of the game? How about play of the bowl season? In an homage to the Boise State team of the 2006 season -- which beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl on a Statue of Liberty play, essentially when Boise became Boise -- the Broncos pulled out the Statue of Liberty in the first quarter against Arizona. The end result was a 16-yard touchdown run from Ajayi.
What’s next: The Broncos begin life anew without Ajayi, who declared for the NFL draft earlier this month. Arizona returns a lot of talent but also loses a lot of starts across the offensive line.
