It’s sad that the illustrious career of Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore will come to an end on Thursday, Dec. 22, in the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas against 6-6 Arizona State. On top of getting snubbed the opportunity of playing in a BCS bowl game, Moore was left off the list of five finalists for the Heisman Trophy.
The winningest starting quarterback in college football history deserves better.
Moore, who has thrown 140 touchdowns to just 26 interceptions in his career, enters his final game at Boise State with a record of 49-3. And those three losses came by a combined five points.
His lone defeat as a freshman was against TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl. Moore threw for 222 yards and one interception in the 17-16 loss.
As a sophomore, Moore avenged the loss to the Horned Frogs with a 17-10 win in the Fiesta Bowl to complete an undefeated season.
Nevada spoiled the Broncos’ perfect season last year, as two missed field goals under 30 yards led to a 34-31 overtime defeat.
And more kicking problems ruined another chance at perfection this year, as a missed 39-yard last-second field goal gave TCU a 36-35 victory.
In Moore’s four years, the Broncos have defeated powerhouse programs like Oregon (twice), Virginia Tech and Georgia, but the quarterback’s career may be best remembered for missed field goals he had no control over.
No college quarterback may ever come closer to perfection than Moore, and he deserves going out better than this.
– Jeffrey Tomik
