FRISCO, Tex. – Davis Koetter knew exactly how he was going to celebrate winning the Frisco Bowl in the final game of his college career.
“I’m going to have a few drinks,” Koetter said with a smile. “I’m 24 so I’m allowed to say that. And I’m no longer a Boise State student-athlete so I can say that double.”
Koetter and the Broncos had plenty of reason to dance and party on the field at Toyota Stadium late Saturday night after a 35-32 comeback win over North Texas.
It was Boise State’s first bowl win since 2017. The Broncos (10-4) also reached 10 wins for the first time since 2019.
And it was the Texas duo of quarterback Taylen Green and running back Ashton Jeanty that powered the Broncos to victory. Jeanty rushed for a career-high 178 yards and a touchdown while Green earned Offensive MVP honors after passing for 137 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 119 and two more scores.
Jeanty played his high school games in Toyota Stadium, while Green was from nearby Lewisville but his parents recently moved to Frisco.
“It’s just a blessing to play in front of family and friends another time,” Green said.
Boise State mustered six points in the first half on just 133 total yards. But the Broncos exploded for 22 points in the third quarter – the Broncos’ most ever in a single quarter in a bowl game – and added another score early in the fourth quarter to complete the come back.
Ezekiel Noa was named Defensive MVP in the final game of his Boise State career after finishing with an interception and six tackles. Alexander Teubner had a team-high 13 tackles after starting in place of the injured JL Skinner. Linebacker DJ Schramm had 11 tackles while Rodney Robinson and Seyi Oladipo each had nine tackles.
Boise State’s roster, particularly on defense, will look a lot different next season. Several starters including JL Skinner, Tyreque Jones, Scott Matlock and Caleb Biggers played their final games on Saturday. The offense likely returns most key players including Green and Jeanty and could be as exciting as an offense as the Broncos have had in several years.
The 2023 schedule is stacked as well with road trips to Washington and Memphis and a home game against UCF.
But we’ll have eight months to preview next season. Saturday it was all about celebrating and soaking in an improbable turnaround.
So what drink did Koetter plan to enjoy late Saturday?
“I don’t know what it is tonight – we’ll see,” Koetter said. “Anything that gets me feeling good will be the drink of choice tonight.”
After a season in which the Broncos started 2-2 but finished with 10 wins and a bowl victory, fans likely feel the same way.
Boise State is set to open the 2023 season in Seattle at Washington on Sept. 2, 2023. Signing Day is set for Dec. 21, and Bronco Nation News will have full coverage.
For now, here’s our Postgame Coverage from the 35-32 win over North Texas in the Frisco Bowl…
