BOISE — The snow is falling again on the Treasure Valley, and we’re at the Boise Airport waiting for our flight home after a wonderful weekend for Vandal sports.
To recap:
- On Tuesday night in the Qwest Arena, it was time for hoops to shine, as the Vandals crushed Lewis-Clark State to go to 7-4 on the season heading into Western Athletic Conference play.
- Then last night, Akey’s Army pulled off the unthinkable, beating Bowling Green in the Humanitarian Bowl with a two-point conversion in the final seconds.
There’s news and notes aplenty, so let’s get right to them.
- There’s a ton of other game stories, of course. Nick Jezierny has an overview for the Idaho Statesman, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News’ Sandra Kelly called it the Miracle in Boise, the Spokesman-Review’s Josh Wright says it was a remarkable rally, the Idaho Press-Tribune’s Tom Fox said it was “memora-bowl” and the Lewiston Tribune’s Jesse Baumgartner summed the game up best: “It was bonkers.”
- We’ve got a bunch of postgame video interviews. The whole batch can be found here, or click names for individual clips — Robb Akey, Max Komar, JoJo Dickson, Nate Enderle, Shiloh Keo and Preston Davis, Aaron Lavarias and Brian Reader.
- The Idaho Statesman’s Brian Murphy writes about “Akey’s gutsy decision” to go for the game-winning (or losing) two-point conversion.
- GoVandals.net has postgame thoughts, a look at the stat leaders and a slew of great photos.
- Reporters and pundits across the country are calling the Humanitarian Bowl one of the best games of the year. As CNATI.com’s C. Trent Rosecrans wrote, “The Humanitarian Bowl: exactly why I’ll never complain about too many bowl games.”
- CollegeFootballNews.com breaks down the game, and Matt Zemek gives Vandal Nation’s live coverage a shoutout.
- ESPN’s Graham Watson has her “instant analysis” of the H-Bowl, crediting Robb Akey with going for the gusto. Football analyst, ex-Vandal star and huge Vandal fan Mark “Stink” Schlereth showed up on SportsCenter to break down his alma mater’s victory.
- The Spokesman-Review’s John Blanchette talks about the “Gamblin’ Vandals” and Josh Wright has some more postgame thoughts.
- For a look at the bowl from the Falcons’ perspective, check out Andrew Harner’s report for the BG News. Harner also celebrates receiver Freddie Barnes’ record-breaking performance and says that despite Bowling Green’s loss, the game was a showcase for both schools. Sean Shapiro examines the costly blocked field goal that could have given the Falcons a winning margin.
- From goat to hero — there’s a bunch of good stuff on senior receiver Max Komar, who grabbed a nifty touchdown catch to set up the winning conversion. The IP-T’s Jake Alger says it was the “biggest play” of the game. ESPN’s SportsNation is asking its readers whether Komar really came up with the ball — and the readers are answering with a resounding yes. The Statesman’s Brian Murphy reports that one catch was all Komar needed.
- KREM 2 News’ Tim Lewis was at the game and blogged about the experience.
