TCU hands Boise St. first loss

SAN DIEGO - After getting a pregame pep talk from LaDainian Tomlinson, the TCU Horned Frogs went out and promptly fell behind Boise State 10-0 midway through the first quarter.

No big deal. L.T. had told them to do what Frogs do, and in this case TCU kept it close before wrecking Boise State's shot at an undefeated season.

Joseph Turner scored on a 17-yard run midway through the fourth quarter to give the No. 11 Horned Frogs their first lead of the night, which they preserved for a 17-16 victory over No. 9 Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl.

"We just wore them down. They can't last forever," Turner said.

Boise State (12-1) was trying to finish 13-0 for the second time in three seasons.

"It's OK - you've not going to win every time," BSU coach Chris Petersen said. "As long as you learn from it and become better for it down the road, we can live with that."

It was the second time in five years BSU lost a chance at a perfect season by losing its bowl game. In 2004, it lost to Louisville in the Liberty Bowl to finish 11-1.

TCU (11-2) piled up yards if not points until finally wearing down the Broncos' defense in the fourth quarter. The Horned Frogs moved 80 yards in 10 plays on the winning drive, with Turner finishing it off by shedding a tackle inside the 5-yard line and diving into the end zone for a 17-13 lead.