Words of Victory: The 2014 Boise State Football Season Put in Perspective

"Improbable" isn't the right word. That one is reserved for the 2007 Boise State Fiesta Bowl victory.

"Unlikely" doesn't fit, either. Let's give that one to the 2010 Fiesta Bowl squad on account of the outrageous defensive scheme the coaches used and the flawless execution from the players who beat TCU.

No, this year felt different. Better in some ways, the same in other ways. So what word can we use to describe it? Does a single word do it justice?

The Broncos' run to the 2014 Fiesta Bowl championship and a 38-30 win over No. 10 Arizona deserves more than a single, solitary word. It deserves a whole list. How about some of these:

Incredible

Deserving

Justice

Fun

Disappointing

Exhilarating

Heart-stopping

Crushed

Growth

Anguishing

Relief

Vindication

Excitement

Champion

I'm certain there are more, but I felt every single one of these emotions or ideas at least once during the regular season and bowl game.

Bryan Harsin and this batch of Broncos blazed their own trail and wrote their own chapter in the growing history books of Boise State football. They emerged from the shadows of the juggernaut Chris Petersen squads with their own shiny, gold football.

The Fiesta Bowl win removed the notion that one person, one group or one coach defines BSU. It's a cut-and-dry example of a culture being more important and longer-lasting than individualism.

It showed the longevity of Bronco football, one that was in place before Petersen arrived, but was eclipsed by his greatness and success.

The win solidified many legacies at Boise State. Grant Hedrick, Jay Ajayi, even Matt Miller will forever live in Bronco football lore because their accomplishments culminated in a shower of confetti in the Valley of the Sun.

It forged new household names. Tanner Vallejo, Thomas Sperbeck, Kamalei Correa and Jeremy McNichols are young superstars on their way to creating their own legacies at Boise State.

Defeating the PAC-12 runners-up and top 10 Arizona Wildcats showed the nation -- skeptics, doubters and hopefuls alike -- that BSU never really went away.

The Fiesta Bowl championship assured Boise State a spot in the limelight for a little while longer.

It established Harsin as the next Bronco coach who is sure to get offers from "Power-5" schools. Not necessarily a bad thing. I mean, the last time a coach left BSU, this happened.

The 2014 Fiesta Bowl champion Boise State Broncos proved they are indeed a power program and the BSU football flame is a long way away from being extinguished.

Thanks for the ride, Broncos. I've never been more proud to be an alumnus.

Pride. Now there's a nice, descriptive word.