Vegas Bowl: 4Q Instant Analysis

UW opened the 4Q still driving and started well with a couple of converted third downs that gave some hope that Keith Price may have found a little rhythm and Sark had finally figured out how to get the ball to Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Alas, UW would get stymied and, as we knew we would, got forced into a FG situation. Travis Coons, still reeling from his epic miss in the Apple Cup, could not handle the pressure and pushed his 41 yard attempt wide right and the leaving the ball back in the hands of the Boise State offense down by two.

BSU took advantage, going up top on a big pass play that again isolated Marcus Peters. Fortunately, Southwick missed another receiver who had flat beat Peters and BSU was forced to pooch punt a beauty that was downed at the UW 2 yard line. UW shrugged it right off. KP connects with Kasen Williams on a 9 yard ptich and catch, Bishop Sankey gets fed a couple of runs, and the Dawgs were moving. Some good blocking (surprise!), some passes and a whole lot of Sankey contributed to UW pulling together a big, clock-chewing drive. A dropped first down left UW in a familiar position - facing a 38 yard FG attempt. This time, Coons was true and nailed it to give UW a 26-25 lead and to put the game back in the hands of Justin Wilcox's defense with just four minutes to go.

A 47 yard kickoff return would give the momentum right back to BSU and start them out on UW's 42 yard line. A controversial "no-measure" fourth down conversion kept the Bronco drive alive and set them up to bleed the clock inside the UW 15 yard line. The Dawg D shut the Broncos down, but couldn't stop a 27 yard FG conversion to return the lead to the Broncos, 28-26.

To set up the final drive, UW put Shaq Thompson in as a returner - and he delivered a solid one to the UW 35 yard line. With 1:08 to go, the final drive was on. Things were not to be. KP made some very questionable decisions on short completions that wsted a ton of time and then, desperate to make up ground, threw another disappointing interception to end the game.

As the game wraps up, it is hard to not give the Huskies credit for a hard fought game. They were in it all the way, they got better as the game progressed and they kept chopping wood throughout. Save a few mistakes (three turnovers, missed FG), UW would have been in the lead most of the way. The 4Q was noteworthy in that KP found his confidence just as his OL started giving him a pocket. In the end, the refs weren't going to get in the way of the outcome of this game by calling holds or measuring fourth down spots and the game was won in dramatic fashion. Results matter and Sark, for the third year in a row, finishes the season at 7-6. There will be lots of analysis and breakdowns in the days to come. For now, I'll leave you with this final instant analysis. See you tomorrow, Dawgs.

4Q Playmakers:Keith Price - made a few big plays on third down and kept several plays alive; Travis Feeney - created some chaos as an up the middle blitzer; Micah Hatchie - gotta give him credit, he made some blocks; Bishop Sankey - cleared the 200 yard mark

4Q Playgivers: Marcus Peters - got beat twice and burned once; Jaydon Mickens - dropped a significant 1st down in the red zone;