Boise State accepts Humanitarian invite

BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Boise State, which won the Western Athletic Conference, Monday accepted a bid to play in the Humanitarian Bowl on New Year's Eve.

The Broncos are expected to play a team from the Big 12. An announcement on Boise State's opponent for the bowl game is not expected until early next week.

The Broncos (11-1) wrapped up the WAC title Saturday with a 44-7 victory over Nevada. Brock Forsey rushed for 187 yards and four touchdowns.

Boise State is the first team to post a perfect record in the WAC since Brigham Young University went undefeated in 1996.

Boise State had held out hope of receiving an invitation to the Seattle Bowl, possibly to meet Washington of the Pac-10. Instead, the Broncos will stay home and play on their blue turf for the third time in four years.

"I think it would have been better for our university to go to the Seattle Bowl and play against a higher-profile team," said junior safety Wes Nurse. "I would rather play against a big-time team away from here."

"This is a great reward for our championship team to play on national television (ESPN) on New Year's Eve," said Boise State Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier.

"You´ve got a lot of momentum with Boise State football right now," said Humanitarian Bowl Executive Director Gary Beck. "It's a nice reward for the local fans to see this team, probably the greatest (BSU) team of all time, play one more game on the blue."

Boise State won its two previous appearances in the Humanitarian Bowl, beating Texas-El Paso, 38-23, in 2000, and Louisville, 34-31, in 1999.

Boise State currently has a 10-game winning streak. The Broncos' last loss was Sept. 7, at Arkansas, 41-14.

Their winning streak is the third longest in the country. Top-ranked Miami has won 32 straight games, and No. 2 Ohio State has won 13 consecutive games.