The FSM Essential Recap: Mitsubishi Las Vegas Bowl 2019

The Last Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium

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Washington Huskies vs Boise State Broncos

It started as only a three-point spread between no. 19 Boise State (12-1) and Washington (7-5), but the Huskies had different plans. They would play their hearts out for Head Coach Chris Peterson in his final career game as head coach at Washington. He was coaching against his protege, Bryan Harsin, who was his offensive coordinator at Boise State.

Peterson’s team intercepted Boise State’s Hank Bachmeier on the first drive of the game for what would be Bachmeier’s fifth interception of the season. Washington’s quarterback, Jacob Eason, then completed a 17-yard touchdown to Andre Baccellia with 5:32 left in the first quarter. Eason had transferred to Washington from Georgia in 2017.

By the end of the first half, Washington would have a 17-0 lead after running back Salvon Ahmed rushed in for an eight-yard score, and kicker Peyton Henry would convert a 32-yard field goal. As for Boise State, the first half was a slug-fest as they could not find a rhythm against a disruptive Husky defense that only allowed 96 yards, and limited Bachmeier to 9-17 passing for 75 yards and one interception.

The second half was very much a mirror image of the first. Hank Bachmeier threw another interception on the opening drive of the half, and Washington Safety Elijah Molden returned it for 31-yards. Washington would score after running back Richard Newton pounded the ball in from two yards out to make the score 24-0 with 10:22 left in the third quarter. Boise State would answer in what would be their first and only score of the game after Jaylon Henderson stepped in for Hank Bachmeier at quarterback and completed a 10-yard pass to wide receiver George Holani for a touchdown.

After the Broncos pulled out all the tricks in the bag, their running back, Richard Newton would run the wildcat, as he had practiced it all week, according to Head Coach Chris Peterson, and Newton would complete a touchdown pass to wide receiver Terrell Bynum for a 13-yard score with 10:44 left to play. However, there would be one more touchdown in the game courtesy of Salvon Ahmed when he rushed in from 12-yards out to make the final 38-7 Washington.

The big plays (sacks, interceptions, and tackles for loss) would not stop there for the Husky defense. This time safety Elijah Molden (who had the second interception off of Bachmeier) would force a Broncos fumble on his way to earning the MVP award of the 28th and final Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium, and coincidentally Chris Peterson’s last game as the head coach at Washington.

After the game, Molden alluded to the fact that the Las Vegas Bowl game was necessary because the team wanted to send Head Coach Chris Peterson and the seniors out on a good note. Molden said, “Yeah, it’s a pretty good incentive, every game is important, but some games are a little more important.”

Washington’s new head coach, Jimmy Lake, who was their defensive coordinator this past season, and has been with Washington since 2015 and with Chris Peterson since his Boise State days, said that he is “ready for the challenge that lies ahead with a good staff that is already in place”. He called Peterson an “unbelievable developer of coaches and young men.” He said that Peterson is “probably the happiest about sending his seniors out the correct way [with a win].” Saying that “he always likes to deflect to others and not take the credit himself.”

For the game, Elijah Molden had 9 total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss with an interception and a forced fumble.

Washington’s offensive leader Jacob Eason went 22-32 for 210 yards and a touchdown, while also being sacked three times. This game was only the second game that Washington has won in which Eason has been sacked at least two times in a game. Their running back, Richard Newton, would pass for a 13-yard touchdown, while also rushing 15 times for 73 yards and a score.

On the other hand, Boise State’s starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier would go 1-26 with two interceptions and 119 passing yards and backup quarterback B went 5-10 for 48 yards and a touchdown.

The Broncos’ leading rusher, George Holani, pounded the rock for 11 times for 37 yards with no touchdowns. Their leading tackler was safety Keko Nawahine, who had 14 tackles, while defensive tackle Chase Hatada had six tackles, and four for loss.

The next Las Vegas Bowl will be played at Allegiant Stadium in 2020

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