2007-2008
College Football Season
Hawai'i Bowl
Post-Game

Pirates Plunder Boise State

by Mike Mitchell
December 24, 2007

East Carolina relinquished a 38-14 third quarter lead, but kicked a 34-yard game-winning field goal as time expired, to upset Boise State 41-38.

The Broncos were a double-digit favorite by Vegas oddsmakers and a nearly 17-point pick by the Congrove Computer Rankings. It was East Carolina's first bowl win since 2000, raising the Pirates' bowl record to 5-4.

East Carolina RB Chris Johnson set an NCAA bowl record with 408 all-purpose yards that included 223 yards rushing, 32 yards receiving, and 153 yards in kick-off returns. Johnson's only mistake - his first fumble of the season - was returned 47 yards by the Broncos' Marty Tadman to tie the score with just 1:25 left. But the Pirates were able to drive to the Boise State 17-yard line to set up the winning field goal by Ben Hartman.

The Broncos were making their sixth consecutive bowl appearance.

Last year, Boise State pulled off the big bowl shocker when it beat Oklahoma 43-42 in overtime in the Fiesta Bowl. That victory stands as Boise State's only bowl win in its last five efforts.

East Carolina was appearing in the postseason for the second straight year after a four-year absence.