GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Jay Ajayi ran for 134 yards and three touchdowns and No. 21 Boise State made a late defensive stand to hold off No. 12 Arizona 38-30 in the Fiesta Bowl on Wednesday.
Boise State (12-2) raced to a 21-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes behind a string of big plays before allowing Arizona to claw its way back.
The Wildcats marched quickly down the field in the closing seconds, but Kamalei Correa sacked Anu Solomon at the 10 on the final play.
Grant Hedrick threw for 309 yards and a touchdown, helping the Broncos cap a successful first season under coach Bryan Harsin with their third Fiesta Bowl victory.
Arizona (10-4) fell flat in the Pac-12 Championship against Oregon in its previous game and labored early against the Broncos. The Wildcats rallied, but had trouble finishing drives, settling for three field goals after driving deep into Boise State’s end.