When Boise State coach Bryan Harsin described Boston College as a "tough, hard-nosed, blue collar, physical football team" this week, he very well could have been describing his own team.
The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl on December 26 will feature two teams with a lot in common; both boast star running backs and gritty, tough defenses anchored by stud defensive ends. A blue collar work ethic is ingrained in the DNA of both programs.
The teams will face off at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas the day after Christmas. It will be just the second all-time meeting between the programs. The first was a 27-21 Boston College win in the 2005 MPC Computers Bowl. The Eagles at that time were led by Matt Ryan, the current Atlanta Falcons quarterback.
After the starting the season with a 7-2 record, Boston College (7-5, 4-4 ACC) finished on a three-game skid, losing to Atlantic Coast Conference foes Clemson, Florida State and Syracuse in the final weeks.
SCOTT SLANT: Glass half-empty, glass half-full
SCOTT SLANT: Talkin’ ACC-level talent in the First Responder Bowl
SCOTT SLANT: Lines in the sand for the First Responder Bowl
Meanwhile, Boise State (10-3, 7-2 MWC) finished strong, winning their final seven games of the regular season, including wins against ranked Fresno State and Utah State teams. Unfortunately for the Broncos they failed to keep up the momentum, falling in overtime to the Bulldogs in a snowy Mountain West Championship game.
Despite ending the regular season on a loss, Boise State remains ranked in all three major college football polls. They are No. 23 in the AP Top 25, No. 24 in the Amway Coaches Poll and No. 25 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
After the regular season had its share of disappointments, the Broncos and Eagles are both extremely eager to end the season on a high note.
"We’re excited to get out to Dallas to play Boise, a storied team that has had a bunch of 10-win seasons and competed [for a] conference championship," Boston College coach Steve Addazio said after the matchup was announced. "Exciting football team. A team that’s got a tremendous history."
The respect is mutual: Harsin acknowledged that his team faces a tough task given the Eagles' hard-nosed nature.
"[They're a] physical football team that gets their best guys playing well," Harsin said. "I mean, if your're going to play this team, you're going to have to play a physical game and prepare yourself for that."
This marks the 17th straight season that the Broncos have played in a bowl game, tied for fifth best nationally. They are 12-6 all-time in the postseason since joining the FBS ranks in 1996. That includes a 34-31 victory over TCU in the Fort Worth Bowl in 2003, the only other time Boise State has played a bowl game in Texas.
GAME INFORMATION
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
- Boston College vs. Boise State
- Wednesday, December 26
- Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas, Texas
- Kickoff: 11:30 a.m. MT
ON TV
The game will be televised on ESPN, which can be found on the following channels:
- Cable One: Channel 133 / 1133 (HD)
- DirecTV: Channel 206
- Dish Network: Channel 140
- Cox: Channel 32
STREAMING
The game will stream live on the WatchESPN app, available in Apple and Android app stores. The service is only available to subscribers of participating cable and satellite television providers (including Cable One, Dish Network and DirecTV).
ON THE RADIO
Fans can listen to the game on the Bronco Radio Network, which can be found online or on the following stations:
- KBOI 670 AM in Boise
- KTIK 93.1 FM in Boise
- KDZY 98.3 FM in McCall
- KSNQ 98.3 FM in Twin Falls
Here is a list of Bronco Radio Network stations outside the Boise area.
BRONCO ROUNDUP GAME DAY
KTVB's Bronco Roundup Game Day show will be live from Cotton Bowl Stadium from 10 - 11 a.m. on KTVB, KTVB.COM, and in the Bronco Roundup app. Join Jay Tust and Will Hall for a live look at all of the major storylines surrounding this matchup.
TICKETS
Boise State fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online through the university or by calling the ticket office at (208) 426-4737. Here is a seating map of the stadium.
For more information on tickets and travel packages, visit Boise State's Bowl Central page.
PRE-BOWL EVENTS FOR FANS
Fans attending that game are invited to experience the excitement of the Red & Blue Fan Zone and Responders Row including team marching bands, food, first responder vehicles and equipment, interactive games and more.
The Red & Blue Fan Zone will open at 9:30 a.m. (local time) on game day.
