Clemson rallies to nip Wake at wire

BOISE, Idaho -- Casey Pachall threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Carter with 1:05 left, then connected with Josh Boyce on the go-ahead two-point conversion, and Boise State's Dan Goodale booted a 39-yard field-goal attempt wide right as time expired to give TCU a 36-35 victory against the fifth-ranked Broncos yesterday.

Pachall threw for 473 yards and tossed long scores of 75, 74 and 69 yards in the first half. But his most important throws came in the final minutes when he rallied the Horned Frogs (8-2, 5-0 Mountain West) to a stunning victory that spoiled any Boise State hopes of playing for a national title.

The loss also snapped Boise State's 35-game home winning streak, which had been the nation's longest.

The Broncos (8-1, 3-1) were in control in the final minutes and driving into field-goal range when backup running back Drew Wright fumbled at the TCU 27-yard line with 2:26 remaining.

Pachall took over, marching TCU down the field before connecting with Carter, who leaped over a defender to make the grab in the end zone and pull TCU within 36-35 with 1:05 remaining.

TCU coach Gary Patterson made a gutsy call, opting to put the game in Pachall's hands and go for the lead instead of the tie. It worked. Pachall tossed a short pass to Josh Boyce, who fought his way into the end zone, putting TCU up 36-35.-- AP