By Darin The 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl between the No. 9 Boise State Broncos and the perennial powerhouse No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners was supposed to be a David vs. Goliath mismatch. Instead, it became the most unbelievable, chaotic, and spectacular four minutes in college football history. This game wasn't just great—it redefined what a great game could be.
The contest was a seesaw battle of wills, but the final two minutes of regulation set the stage for madness. Oklahoma took a commanding 35-28 lead on a pick-six by Marcus Walker with just 1:02 on the clock. The game looked finished. But the Broncos, marching down the field, pulled off the unimaginable on fourth down: a 50-yard hook-and-ladder trick play to tie the score and force overtime. The blue turf magic was just getting started.
Article from Jan 2, 2007 The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
In overtime, Oklahoma delivered the first punch, as future NFL star Adrian Peterson busted loose for a 25-yard touchdown run, putting the Sooners ahead 42-35. Boise State responded, ultimately tying the game with a six-yard pass from wideout Vinny Perretta to tight end Derek Schouman. Most expected a second overtime, but head coach Chris Petersen had other plans.
Facing a decision to kick the extra point or go for two and the win, Petersen called a trick play that would become instantly iconic. The ball was snapped, the team executed the now-legendary hidden ball trick play, and running back Ian Johnson trotted untouched into the endzone for the 43-42 victory. It was a perfect, audacious call that sealed one of the greatest upsets ever witnessed.
The 2007 Fiesta Bowl was a rollercoaster of highs and lows—a pick-six, a hook-and-ladder, an overtime powerhouse run, and a final, unbelievable trick play. The drama of those final moments ensures that the Broncos’ blue-turf masterpiece will forever remain the benchmark for college football thrillers.
