Boise State is making new friends

Boise State’s 43-42 overtime victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl has been good for all sorts of recruiting -- Ian Johnson landing a fiancee, the Broncos winning over some on-the-fence prospects.

“We had a guy that was deciding between three schools and still visiting here and there,” Coach Chris Petersen said on the Fox Sports Radio show “Out of Bounds.”

“After the game, sure enough, the phone was ringing and he said, ‘I’m in. I’m not even visiting other places.’ So it’s good.”

Petersen also said he initially viewed Johnson’s post-victory proposal to Chrissy Popadics, a Boise State cheerleader, with some uncertainty.

“The thing that made us feel good about it is we were on the platform at the trophy presentation and I see Ian on the JumboTron on one knee,” he said. “I’m just hoping it is his girlfriend and not some cute cheerleader that he got caught up in the moment with.”

Ducks, beware

Before the hook-and-ladder, the Statue of Liberty and “Will you marry me?”, Boise State’s football program was known mostly for the blue artificial turf in Bronco Stadium.

According to legend, birds have flown into the blue turf, mistaking it for water. This has never been confirmed, although Petersen said, “We do our best to perpetuate that myth, so to speak.

“But the other day, before we leave, I walk out onto our turf and there is a dead duck laying there in the middle of our field. And I’m looking around like ‘Are you kidding me?’ Maybe they are still dive-bombing here. So I’m not sure, but we did have one dead on the turf the other day.”

Upon hearing this, Oregon is believed to have politely ended negotiations for a home-and-home series with the Broncos.

Trivia time

When did Boise State first install its blue turf?

And the coin has been intercepted!

It’s funny how the dominos have fallen since the 2004 NFL draft.

The San Diego Chargers made Eli Manning the No. 1 pick, but Manning balked at signing with the Chargers. So, they traded Manning for the New York Giants’ top selection, Philip Rivers, whose arrival in San Diego gave the Chargers enough quarterback depth to allow Drew Brees to sign as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints.

Brees was just selected to the Pro Bowl and Rivers will join him in the February game.

And Manning?

If the Chargers and Saints meet in the Super Bowl, will they get Manning to perform the coin toss?

High ground

seeks sponsor

The headline on the news release was eye-grabbing. It read, “A racing rarity: Enders turns down a sponsor.” A professional athlete declining the money?

This seemed like big news. The release announced that pro stock drag racer Erica Enders ended her sponsorship deal with Revive-USA “in a show of loyalty to the NHRA and series sponsor POWERade.”

A refreshing development? Hold that thought.

The release went on to say, “The announcement leaves the 23-year-old rising star in search of a major sponsor for 2007 and beyond. However, the team is confident the favorable return on investment they produced for Revive-USA and former sponsor Bravo! Foods and its Slammer’s Ultimate Milk brand will help them procure another corporate backer to compliment [sic] associate sponsors Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurants, Snap-on Tools, Aeromotive, Mach 1 Air Services, Impact Race Products, and Mopar.”

It is good to see that Team Enders has positioned itself above crass commercialism.

Trivia answer

The original blue AstroTurf, since replaced by newer models, was installed in 1986.

And finally

Reader Antonio Galvis points out, “The word ‘romo’ in Spanish has a meaning very appropriate for the Dallas Cowboy quarterback, particularly after his last play of the playoff game.

“ ‘Romo’ has many meanings, which include: blunt, dull, snub, awkward, clumsy, slow, stupid, sluggish. I believe he lived up very accurately to his name, unfortunately.”

mike.penner@latimes.com