2015 Poinsettia Bowl

2015 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
11th Poinsettia Bowl
Boise State Broncos Northern Illinois Huskies
(8–4) (8–5)
Mountain West MAC
55 7
Head coach: 
Bryan Harsin		 Head coach: 
Rod Carey
1234 Total
Boise State 21101014 55
Northern Illinois 0700 7
DateDecember 23, 2015
Season2015
StadiumQualcomm Stadium
LocationSan Diego, California
MVPOffensive: Boise State QB Brett Rypien[1]
Defensive: Boise State DE Kamalei Correa[1]
FavoriteBoise State by 8[2][full citation needed]
RefereeJeff Hilyer (Sun Belt)[3]
Attendance21,501[3]
PayoutUS$$612,500
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN/ESPN Radio
Announcers
Poinsettia Bowl
 < 2014  2016 > 

The 2015 Poinsettia Bowl was a college football bowl game that was played on December 23, 2015 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. Boise State Broncos from the Mountain West Conference defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies from the Mid-American Conference.[5] It was one of the 2015–16 bowl games that concluded the 2015 FBS football season. The game started at 1:30 p.m. PST and was televised on ESPN. Sponsored by San Diego County Credit Union, the game is officially known as the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.

Team selection

The Boise State Broncos from the Mountain West Conference defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies from the Mid-American Conference.

Boise State

See also: 2015 Boise State Broncos football team

Following Boise State's regular season ending win over San Jose State, where they finished the 2015 regular season 8–4, 5–3 in West Division play to finish in a four way tie for 2nd place, the Poinsettia Bowl expressed their interest in inviting the Broncos.[6] The Las Vegas Bowl held the first selection from the Mountain West but also had an agreement to pick BYU in either 2015 or 2019. When Las Vegas chose to invite BYU, the Mountain West's first selection fell to the Poinsettia Bowl. The Poinsettia Bowl was not obligated to take the Mountain West Champions, San Diego State, and could choose any Mountain West team they wanted. They chose the Broncos, who made their second Poinsettia Bowl appearance and first appearance since 2008 where they lost to TCU 17–16 to end their undefeated season.

Northern Illinois

See also: 2015 Northern Illinois Huskies football team

Had Army become bowl eligible, they would have been invited to the Poinsettia Bowl. When they failed to become bowl eligible, the selection fell to the Mid-American Conference. The Northern Illinois Huskies were selected to set up a match-up of two of the winningest programs since 2010. The Huskies finished the regular season 8–5, 6–2 in West Division play to finish in a four way tie for the division title. They represented the West Division in the MAC Championship Game where they lost to Bowling Green. It was the Huskies sixth consecutive MAC Championship Game appearance. It was the Huskies third Poinsettia Bowl appearance with losses in 2006 and 2013.

Game summary

Scoring Summary

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP BSU NIU
1 14:02 3 75 0:58 BSU Jeremy McNichols 41-yard touchdown run, Tyler Rausa kick good 7 0
1 7:38 7 67 2:18 BSU Jeremy McNichols 4-yard touchdown reception from Brett Rypien, Tyler Rausa kick good 14 0
1 3:28 7 53 2:36 BSU Jeremy McNichols 1-yard touchdown run, Tyler Rausa kick good 21 0
2 9:44 7 12 3:01 BSU 20-yard field goal by Tyler Rausa 24 0
2 9:32 NIU Aregero Turner 96 yard kickoff return, Christian Hagan kick good 24 7
2 1:51 8 60 3:35 BSU Chaz Anderson 16-yard touchdown reception from Brett Rypien, Tyler Rausa kick good 31 7
3 7:30 12 51 4:49 BSU 27-yard field goal by Tyler Rausa 34 7
3 3:29 6 62 2:06 BSU Alec Dhaenens 18-yard touchdown reception from Brett Rypien, Tyler Rausa kick good 41 7
4 14:52 5 61 2:07 BSU Kelsey Young 24-yard touchdown run, Tyler Rausa kick good 48 7
4 9:52 7 69 4:06 BSU Thomas Stuart 1-yard touchdown run, Tyler Rausa kick good 55 7
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 55 7

Source: [3]

Statistics

Statistics[3] BSU NIU
First downs 35 7
Plays–yards 96–654 51–33
Rushes–yards 56–227 30–(−5)
Passing yards 377 38
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 29–40–1 7–21–0
Time of possession 43:13 16:47

References

  1. ^ a b Cripe, Chadd (December 23, 2015). "Game recap: Boise State crushes Northern Illinois 55–7 in Poinsettia Bowl". idahostatesman.com. Idaho Statesman. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  2. ^ Odds, Los Angeles Times, December 10, 2015
  3. ^ a b c d "2015 Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State vs. Northern Illinois Stats". Stat Broadcast. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  4. ^ Volner, Derek (December 8, 2015). "College Football Playoff Highlights 2015-16 Bowl Schedule" (Press release). ESPN. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  5. ^ McCarthy, Jack (December 6, 2015). "Northern Illinois Earns Poinsettia Bowl Date with Boise State", Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  6. ^ Cripe, Chadd (November 27, 2015). "Game recap: McNichols carries Boise State football to road win". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved December 23, 2015.