Brett Rypien leads Boise State to a Poinsettia Bowl win and earns Offensive MVP honors.
By Tim Peterson
(San Diego) – Boise State jumped out to a 21-0 lead and rolled to a 55-7 rout of Northern Illinois Wednesday before 21,501 at the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. The 55 points scored set a Poinsettia Bowl record for most points scored.
Jeremy McNichols got it started with a 29-yard touchdown run as Boise St. needed just three plays to go 75 yards on the opening possession. The touchdown was the fastest touchdown scored in Poinsettia Bowl history.
Jeremy McNichols scored three times in Boise State’s big Poinsettia Bowl win.
McNichols scored again on a four-yard pass from Brett Rypien to cap a 67-yard drive to go up 14-0 with 7:38 left in the first quarter. McNichols got his third of the night on the next possession -a one-yard run to cap a seven play, 53-yard drive and the Broncos were up 21-0 with 3:28 left in the first quarter.
Jonathan Moxey recovered a Northern Illinois fumble at the Huskie 15 and the Broncos cashed in with a 20-yard field goal by Tyler Rausa for a 24-0 advantage early in the second quarter.
Aregeros Turner returned the ensuing kick off 96 yards for a touchdown to get Northern Illinois on the board and cut the Boise St. lead to 24-7. It turned out to be the Huskies only highlight of the game.
Northern Illinois, showing some signs of life, recovered a fumble at the Boise St. 32 on the next series but gave it right back to the Broncos on another fumble.
Chaz Anderson immediately made them pay with a 16-yard TD reception from Rypien to put the Broncos up 31-7 at the half.
Rousa booted a 27-yard field goal to make it 34-7. Later in the third quarter, after another Northern Illinois punt, Rypien found Alec Dhaenens for an 18-yard scoring strike and the rout was officially on at 41-7.
Kelsey Young broke loose for a 24-yard touchdown run to begin the fourth quarter to up the Bronco advantage to 48-7.
Thomas Stewart, in relief of Rypien, crossed the goal line on a one -yard keeper late in the fourth to cap a seven play, 69 yard drive for a 55-7 lead and a new record.
Rypien completed 29 of 40 for 377 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception. Rypien connected with seven different receivers. He was named offensive MVP named for his efforts. Kamalei Correa took home defensive MVP honors.
McNichols finished with 19 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns to go along with five receptions for 96 yards and a score.
It was a struggle all night for Northern Illinois on offense. Ryan Graham was just seven of 21 for 38 yards and the Huskies had minus five yards rushing overall.
Boise State finishes the season with an overall record of 9-4 while Northern Illinois dropped to 8-6.
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