No. 6 Boise St. perfect, again
Associated Press
BOISE, Idaho — Boise State coach Chris Petersen simply refuses to get into the campaign business.
After his sixth-ranked Broncos rolled over New Mexico State, 42-7, yesterday to finish 13-0 and go undefeated for the second straight season, Petersen resisted any urge he might have had to argue that the Broncos deserve an invitation to the Bowl Championship Series.
"I think our record speaks for itself," said Petersen, whose team went 12-0 last year only to be left out of college football's big-money bowl games. "We have faith in this system and think that it should work out."
Broncos safety Jeron Johnson wasn't nearly as subtle.
"It's something I would like to happen, but we have to wait and see what happens," he said.
The victory over the lowly Aggies (3-10, 1-7) gave Boise State the outright WAC title for the second straight year. The Broncos have won seven of the last eight titles, including the 2005 title their shared with Nevada. Boise State has now won 26 straight regular-season games and 55 straight regular-season home games.
Doug Martin led the way with four touchdowns, and the defense held New Mexico State to 49 yards passing and 191 total yards.
LOUISIANA TECH 55, SAN JOSE STATE 20
RUSTON, La. — Daniel Porter ran for 199 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Bulldogs (4-8, 3-5) spoil the final game for Spartans (2-10, 1-7) coach Dick Tomey.
The Bulldogs used a season-high 45-point first half to beat the Spartans and Tomey, who ended his 29-year career with a 183-145-7 record.
Tomey coached 10 years at Hawai'i, 14 at Arizona and his last five were at San Jose State.
FRESNO STATE 53, ILLINOIS 52
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Offensive lineman Devan Cunningham caught a deflected pass with 2 seconds left and stumbled into the end zone for a 2-point conversion, lifting the Bulldogs (8-4) over the Illini (3-9).
Ryan Colburn capped a 67-yard drive by hitting Jamel Hamler for the touchdown to make it 52-51. Hamler caught the ball at the 5 and stretched across the goal line just as his knee hit the turf.
On the point after, Colburn rolled right with the ball and, under heavy pressure, flung a pass toward Hamler just inside the goal line that was batted away and brought down by Cunningham. Officials reviewed the play and ruled that an Illinois defense back had tipped the ball, not a Fresno State player, allowing anybody to catch it.