Everyone loves football. It is an exciting sport to watch and it brings people together, especially college students. Football games are always fun to attend and watch, but there are a select few games that have you on the edge of your seat. The game between the Boise State Broncos and Washington State Cougars last Saturday was one of the most thrilling games I have ever seen. It was the perfect example of how football should be played. Both teams fought to the bitter end, but it was Washington State who walked away with the victory in triple overtime.

The game started off slow, but eventually picked up steam. Both teams scored in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7. However, Boise State picked up momentum and coasted to a rather comfortable lead. It seemed like Boise State put the final nail in the coffin when they recovered a Washington State fumble and returned it for a touchdown. This play made the score 31-10 with Boise State in the lead. Up to this point, Washington State quarterback Luke Falk looked sluggish throughout the game, and the defense looked burned out. Both teams had their backup quarterbacks in the game at this time due to injuries to their starters.

After assembling their offense and putting together a drive that culminated in a touchdown, Washington State rebounded. They made the score 31-17 with the aforementioned touchdown, and linebacker Peyton Pelluer proceeded to make a huge play: an interception off of a shovel pass that was returned for a touchdown to make it a one-possession game. The game was getting more and more exciting with each score. Washington State was forced to punt on their next offensive drive. However, the punt hit the back of a Boise State player and Washington State recovered with excellent field position. This turned up the heat for the home crowd at Martin Stadium, myself included. Backup quarterback Tyler Hilinski proceeded to throw a short touchdown pass to running back Jamal Morrow to tie the game at 31-31 and send it into overtime.

I could not believe what I was witnessing. To make such a valiant comeback in such a crucial point of the game was difficult to conceive. After the two teams traded field goals in overtime, the game went into double overtime. Washington State had the first drive this time, and scored a touchdown to make the score 41-34. Boise State responded with a touchdown of their own to tie the game again. They followed that score up with a field goal in triple overtime. I continuously stated to my friends sitting next to me that this was a game for the ages. The Cougars finally drove the sword into the heart of the Broncos with Jamal Morrow’s walk-off touchdown on their ensuing drive.

The noise from the Washington State crowd was uproarious. My friends and I (as Washington State students) were ecstatic. After the game, I congratulated Boise State fans for their team’s persistence, to which they responded by congratulating our team for the win. This experience was quite simply, a thrill ride.