Do you believe in miracles? YES! Cougs outlast Boise State in triple OT

WSU

The first serving of Pac-12 After Dark in 2017 was a tasty and wacky course.

No. 20 Washington State trailed Boise State 31-10 with less than 11 minutes to go in the fourth quarter and ended up winning 47-44 in three overtimes.

The winning score came when quarterback Tyler Hilinski hit running back Jamal Morrow on a 22-yard score after Boise State started the third overtime with a field goal.

Officials reviewed the play to make sure Morrow remained inbounds as he ran toward the end zone on the left side and left his feet near the pylon. It was ruled a touchdown for Washington State (2-0), which trailed by 21 points in the fourth quarter.

The teams traded field goals in the first overtime and touchdowns in the second OT.

In overtime, Boise State had the first possession and Haden Hoggarth kicked a 29-yard field goal. Powell replied with a 22-yarder to tie it 34-all.

In the second overtime, Washington State’s Gerard Wicks scored on a 1-yard run for a 41-34 lead. Boise State responded with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Cozart to Wilson to tie it again.

In the third overtime, Hoggarth kicked a 37-yard field goal for a 44-41 Boise State lead. Hilinski hit Morrow on the left side and he outraced defenders to the pylon for the winning points.

Boise State went up three touchdowns in the fourth after defensive lineman Curtis Weaver ran a fumble recovery back 55 yards for a score. The fumble came as WSU QB Luke Falk was sacked and hit his head harshly on the turf. Falk was helped off the field and didn’t return to the game.

With backup quarterback Hilinski in the game, Washington State’s comeback was aided with the help of a couple Boise State miscues. Boise quarterback Montell Cozart — filling in for Brett Rypien after Rypien was injured in the first half — threw this terrible interception that was returned by linebacker Peyton Pelluer to cut the deficit to 31-24.

After Washington State got the ball back on the next possession it was forced to punt. But the punt hit a Boise State player and was recovered by Washington State. Four plays later, Hilinski hit running back Morrow for the tying score.

Hilinski goes 25-of-33 for 240 yard and three touchdowns with one interception.

Falk goes 24-of-24 for 193 yards and an interception before leaving the game with an injury.

Washington State is 2-0 to start a season for the first time in Mike Leach's six-year tenure as head coach.

Boise State quarterback Montell Cozart came off the bench to spark his team for the second game in a row, but the Broncos (1-1) could not hold a big lead late in the game.

Both starting quarterbacks left the game. Cozart replaced Brett Rypien, and WSU’s Tyler Hilinski replaced an injured Luke Falk.

After Hilinski was intercepted by Durrant Miles at midfield, Cozart fired a 47-yard touchdown pass to Cedrick Wilson on the second play and Boise State led 24-10 early in the fourth.

Curtis Weaver recovered Falk’s fumble and ran 55 yards for a touchdown and a 31-10 BSU lead. Falk was injured on the play and did not return.

Washington State fought back with three touchdowns. Hilinski’s 17-yard scoring pass to Jamire Calvin, and Peyton Pelluer’s 36-yard return of an interception for a touchdown cut BSU’s lead to 31-24 with 5:51 left.

Washington State was forced to punt, but Erik Powell’s short kick hit Boise State player Reid Harrison-Ducros and was recovered by WSU’s Dillon Sherman on the BSU 24 with 2:51 left.

Hilinski threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Morrow, and Powell’s extra point tied the score at 31 with 1:44 left.

THE TAKEAWAY: Boise State of the Mountain West Conference is 4-1 against Pac-12 teams dating to 2014. … Falk came in needing 101 yards passing to break Connor Halliday’s school record of 11,304 career yards and surpassed that on a 59-yard throw to Renard Bell.

UP NEXT: Washington State opens Pac-12 play by hosting Oregon State next Saturday.

(Wazzu Watch Publisher Scott Hood and AP contributed to this story)