Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio 24, Utah State 23 Final
Box Score
Post Game Notes
Photo Gallery
Boise, Ida. – Ohio was searching for its first bowl win in school history, and the Bobcats let it come down to the final seconds to win in dramatic fashion, 24-23 over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Ohio quarterback Tyler Tettleton scrambled for a one-yard touchdown run with 13 seconds left in regulation for the one point lead and the school’s first ever bowl victory.
Tettleton led the Ohio offense 60 yards in the final minutes and set up the win with a dramatic fourth and six play from the 14 yard line to receiver LaVon Brazill for 13 yards down to the Utah State one yard line. Two plays later, Tettleton scored on a scramble to the right corner of the end zone for the comeback and first lead for the Bobcats in the game. With the win, Ohio improved to 10-4 on the year, while Utah State fell to 7-6 overall.
Tettleton finished with 219 yards passing and two touchdowns and rushed for another 44 yards and one score for a combined 263 total yards of offense. Brazill led the team with eight catches for 108 yards and one score.
Utah State led 9-7 at the half and the Aggies opened the second half as tailback Michael Smith raced 63 yards for a touchdown at the 12:13 mark of the third quarter to open a 16-7 lead. Ohio responded on the ensuing drive as kicker Matt Weller converted a 32-yard field goal to cut the Aggies lead, 16-10, with 9:52 left in the third quarter.
Utah State added to their lead with another touchdown run by Smith from 11 yards out to extend the lead, 23-10, with 5:51 left in the third quarter.
Ohio responded with a 44-yard touchdown strike from Tettleton to Brazill to cut the Aggies lead, 23-16 with 3:45 left in the third quarter.
The Bobcats defense opened the game with an impressive goal line stand and held Utah State on a fourth and goal from the one yard line. However, three plays later Ohio mishandled the football as Tettleton lost control and picked up the loose ball out of the end zone for a safety to give Utah State a 2-0 lead with 8:02 left in the first quarter.
Utah State added to the lead on a nine yard scoring drive capped by a two yard touchdown pass from Adam Kennedy with 3:39 left in the first quarter to open a 9-0 lead.
Ohio settled down in the second quarter and orchestrated a seven-play, 57-yard drive, capped by a 26 yard touchdown pass from Tettleton to tight end Derek Roback. The score cut the Utah State lead to 9-7 with 4:40 left in the second quarter.
Ohio made its third consecutive bowl appearance under head coach Frank Solich and sixth overall bowl game in school history.