SAN DIEGO — TCU’s Joseph Turner dived into the end zone for the winning touchdown, and LaDainian Tomlinson went nuts on the sideline.
It was a good night to be a Horned Frog, current and past.
Turner’s 17-yard run midway through the fourth quarter Tuesday night gave the No. 11 Horned Frogs their first lead, which they preserved for a 17-16 victory over No. 9 Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Boise State (12-1) was trying to finish 13-0 for the second time in three seasons. The Broncos took a 10-0 lead on Ian Johnson’s 20-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter, but their high-scoring offense bogged down against TCU’s fast, aggressive defense.
TCU (11-2) piled up yards if not points until finally wearing down the Broncos’ defense in the fourth quarter. The Horned Frogs moved 80 yards in 10 plays on the winning drive, with Turner finishing it off by shedding a tackle inside the 5-yard line and diving into the end zone for a 17-13 lead.
Tomlinson, a former TCU star in his eighth season with the San Diego Chargers, jumped in celebration and pumped his fist near the TCU bench.
“Two top defenses, two top offenses in the nation, we just wanted it more,” TCU running back Aaron Brown said.
There wouldn’t be a crazy, victorious finish for Johnson and the Broncos as there was two years ago in their memorable overtime win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.
“They had better athletes than we’ve ever seen,” Johnson said. “They played with so much heart. You didn’t look over there one time and say, ‘We broke them.’ They knew they were going to come back.”
After Turner’s TD, Boise State got to the TCU 14 before having to settle for Kyle Brotzman’s 33-yard field goal to pull to 17-16.
The Broncos got the ball back with six seconds left on their 33 and tried to lateral the ball after a catch, but Jeremy Childs’ desperation flip was grabbed by TCU’s Matt Panfil.
Boise State 10 3 0 3 — 16
TCU 0 7 3 7 — 17
First quarter: Boi — FG Brotzman 30, 11:32. Boi — I.Johnson 20 run (Brotzman kick), 7:35. Second quarter: Boi — FG Brotzman 24, 5:51. TCU — A.Brown 16 run (Evans kick), :24. Third quarter: TCU — FG Evans 32, :46. Fourth quarter: TCU — Turner 17 run (Evans kick), 8:51. Boi — FG Brotzman 33, 4:47. A — 34,628. Boi TCU
First downs 15 28
Rushes-yards 20-28 51-275
Passing 222 197
Comp-att-int 22-35-1 22-36-2
Return yards 68 1
Punts-avg. 4-48.0 4-32.0
Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-0
Penalties-yards 4-25 6-63
Time of possession 23:53 36:07
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Boise St., I.Johnson 7-28, Harper 3-6, Perretta 5-4. Avery 2-1, Team 1-(minus 1), Moore 2-(minus 10). TCU, A.Brown 14-102. Turner 16-83, Dalton 16-74, Kerley 4-10, Christian 1-6.
PASSING — Boise St., Moore 22-35-1-222. TCU, Dalton 22-35-1-197. Kerley 0-1-1-0.
RECEIVING — Boise St., Childs 7-61, Pettis 4-65. I.Johnson 3-(minus 5), Perretta 2-78, J.Hawkins 2-10, Avery 1-6. Bissell 1-3, Brockel 1-3, Martin 1-1. TCU, Bryant 6-67, Christian 6-53. Young 5-62, A.Brown 2-(minus 3), Reagan 1-11, Clay 1-7, Turner 1-0.
