The 4th annual San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl will pit the undefeated and Boise State University Broncos against the 10-2 TCU Horned Frogs, 2008 President Larry Baber announced today.  The game will be played Tuesday, December 23rd at 5 p.m. (PST) at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.  It will be televised nationally on ESPN.

 

“We are ecstatic that teams of the caliber of Boise State and TCU will match up in our bowl game,” said Baber. Undoubtedly this will be one of the most anticipated games of the entire bowl season.”

Head Coach Chris Petersen guided his Boise State Broncos to a perfect 12-0 regular season record for the second time in just three seasons. In 2006 they capped an undefeated season with a thrilling 43-42 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.  This is Boise State’s first appearance in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.

 

"We are very excited about making our first trip to the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl to face a very talented TCU team,” said Petersen.  “Gary Patterson and his staff have done another outstanding job with their team this year.  We are looking forward to the challenge and know it will be a very tough battle for our team."

 

Boise State’s offense is led by freshman sensation Kellen Moore. The quarterback threw for 25 touchdowns and averaged 272.0 passing yards per game.  Sophomore safety Jeron Johnson led a stingy Broncos defense by having recorded 84 total tackles, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries. 

 

The TCU Horned Frogs return to the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl for the second time in three years.  In 2006 the Horned Frogs routed the Northern Illinois Huskies 37-7.  Coach Gary Patterson’s team finished the regular season with a 10-2 overall record, 7-1 in the Mountain West Conference. 

 

“We are delighted to play in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl,” TCU head coach Gary Patterson said. “Boise State is a BCS-caliber team, and I have a high admiration for (Bronco head coach) Chris Petersen and his staff. They do an outstanding job in all phases of their team.

 

“All of us were extremely impressed with the Poinsettia Bowl on our last visit in 2006. It was a great experience and we were treated unbelievably. We had a great time and were around outstanding people. It was one of the best bowls we’ve ever been to.

 

“It should be a great game with a lot of national interest.”

 

A well balanced TCU offensive attack is guided by sophomore quarterback Andy Dalton.  Dalton threw for 11 touchdowns against just four interceptions in ten games.  His passer rating for the season was an impressive 132.4. The Horned Frogs boast one of the nation’s best defenses, anchored by defensive end Jerry Hughes.  The junior tallied 14 sacks this season, tops in the country.  He also forced six fumbles and snagged two interceptions.

This will be the second time these teams have faced each other.  The Broncos narrowly defeated TCU in the 2003 Fort Worth Bowl 34-31.

The two head coaches have spent time together before.  In 1986, TCU’s Patterson was the linebackers coach at UC Davis while Boise State’s Petersen was a quarterback at the school.

 

Tickets for the 2008 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl can be purchased by calling TicketMaster at 619-220-TIXS (8497), or by visiting www.PoinsettiaBowl.net.