Instant Classic

Well it didn't turn out like I had hoped, but I would tend to agree with ESPN's take on the game. An instant classic. No one could have predicted this kind of crazy game. While I was a little disappointed at times with some of the play by the Sooners, I have to give credit to the Broncos. They played with tremendous heart. Granted, they had everything to gain and nothing to lose, so that probably gave them an edge, but they showed they could really show up and play with anyone. I think their QB Zabransky will have a great future in the NFL. He showed excellent poise under pressure. I was hoping we would give him a lot more pressure, but he didn't falter once that I saw. He was able to execute play after play almost flawlessly. I'm afraid this team was heavily underrated. When I heard they were supposed to be a 13 point underdog I thought that was a bit much. My prediction before the game was 42-35 Sooners winning of course. I almost nailed it dead on when the Sooners scored in OT. But then the Broncos came back again and pulled out the show stopper recovery from 4th and 18. Obviously they weren't going to try for a field goal at that point, but I would assume there were some doubts they could pull off the 1st down. But they did. I had been watching the game up until the last 6 minutes or so. So I had to hear the most amazing parts on the radio while driving to pick up my daughter from her Grandma's house. I wish I could have stayed to see it, but I guess I was glad I left when I did, since it went on for almost an hour after I left. What a game.

Lets not forget the amazing comeback the Sooners pulled off to get to the overtime finish. They tried three times for that two point conversion. They pulled it off twice to seal the deal. But we didn't want to leave it there of course. We pulled off an interception to run in for a touchdown. With the extra point good, it looked like that was going to be game. But the Broncos weren't finished yet. They went ahead and got their own extra touchdown to tie it up again and take the game into OT. The Sooners did their job and tacked on another TD to put them up by a seven point lead. Then the miraculous score by the Broncos gave them the chance to tie it up again. I guess they decided they were tired of playing in OT and went all for nothing to win the game. They pulled it off and broke our hearts but not our spirit. Truly an amazing game. Who would have thought that both teams combined would score 22 points in the final 86 seconds of regulation play? Nobody. I guess the Fiesta Bowl got what they came for, a stunning performance indeed. Hope everyone got to see it. If not, I am certain there will be highlights of the key plays replayed later.

I was a little disappointed after the game was done, but then I realized something. We were at the end of our own kind of cinderella season as well. Not quite as pretty as BSU, but still memorable. We defied the odds and proved worthy through a great deal of adversity. I like what Coach Stoops said about that. Something on the order of, We don't consider it adversity, we consider it opportunity. They took the opportunity available and ran with it. We got to the Fiesta Bowl and took the Big 12 Championship along the way. That is worth a lot and we have a lot to be proud of. Don't hang your heads guys, you did well. After all, one of the commentators was kind enough to point out we are the winningest franchise in all of the NCAA since WWII. That's Oklahoma football. See you next season. Have a great 2007.