Ian Johnson set the bar pretty high at Boise State, as it was his legs that helped propel the team from the ranks of the unknown to that of a serious national contender in terms of college football. And while detailing all of Johnson's great plays would take nothing short of 15 pages, we can narrow his awesome skills down to these three amazing games he had with the Boise State Broncos.
1. Boise State vs Oklahoma, 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bow
When the BSU Broncos stunned the Sooners in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, the entire nation took notice. What was supposed to be a "stomping" at the hands of Bob Stoops and the Sooners squad instead took a much different turn. The Broncos controlled much of the game, largely in part to Ian Johnson's running, but lost the momentum at the end. The game ended up in overtime, and Boise took a huge chance on a two-point conversion. They came out in a passing formation, then used the "statue of liberty" play to get Ian Johnson the ball, and he did the rest, sealing Boise's biggest victory in school history and stunning the college football world.
2. Boise State vs Oregon State, 2006
When Oregon State showed up to play on the famous Broncos blue turf, most sports pundits expected a blow out. They got it, just not the way they expected. Instead of the Beavers stomping the Broncos, the Broncos man handled the Oregon State Beavers. This early non-conference game was Johnson's breakout game, as he ran for more than 250 yards, scored several touchdowns and seemed to break runs of more than 20 yards with relative ease.
3. Ian Johnson Proposes, 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Okay, technically this isn't a game, but when Ian Johnson dropped to one knee and proposed to his cheerleader girlfriend after winning the Fiesta Bowl, it began a media sensation that once again found Boise State in the spotlight. Many Bronco fans say the proposal, engagement and marriage put the media focus away from the football field, I say that it gave the media a "personal appeal" to the Broncos. The team needed a media darling, and Johnson once again delivered.
