Boise State Uses Statue of Liberty in Victory at Fiesta Bowl - Again!

By Mike Stockman
Staff Correspondent
Copyright 2015 Phoenix Area Sports

Glendale, Arizona (December 31, 2014) Boise State’s quarterback Grant Hedrick used the “Statue of Liberty” in a 38-30 win over the Arizona Wildcats at University of Phoenix Stadium in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl on Wednesday, December 31, 2014.

This was not the first time Boise State executed the childhood favorite “Statue of Liberty” play to perfection. In the 2007 Fiesta Bowl game, the Broncos defeat the Oklahoma Sooners in overtime using the play by the score of 43-42. Earlier this year, the Broncos used it in a win against Wyoming.

Jay Ajayi rushed for 134 yards and scored three touchdowns, which makes him the all-time rushing TD leader at Boise State. Chaz Anderson had 80 yards receiving and one touchdown reception while sophomore wide-receiver Thomas Sperbeck is named offensive MVP for his 199 yard performance.

Field goal kicker Dan Goodale made a 36 yard field goal at the end of the first half and was 5-5 on extra points.

The Broncos defense helped score when an interception caught by Donte Deayon was returned for a 16 yard touchdown.

Hedrick finished the game with 309 yards passing and one touchdown pass.

The Arizona Wildcats, after falling behind 21-0 in the first quarter, were able to “bear down” and score 30 points. In the fourth quarter with 3:01 left, Arizona had an opportunity to tie the game. After completing a deep pass to the Broncos’ eight yard line with less than 25 seconds left, Solomon was unable to escape a sack allowing time to run out.

For the Wildcats, Anu Solomon (redshirt freshman) threw for 335 yards, one touchdown pass, and had one rushing TD. Nick Wilson scores a touchdown from one yard out and carries for a total of 86 yards. Sammajie Grant scored on a 51 yard reception and Cayleb Jones caught eight passes for 117 yards. Casey Skowron made three field goals (42, 32, and 24 yards) and was 3-3 on extra points.

Arizona is now 1-2 in the Fiesta Bowl. In 1979 Arizona lost to Pittsburgh 16-10. In 1993 Arizona shuts out Miami 29-0. This brings Arizona’s bowl record to 9-10-1.