In 1980: Jim Criner was the coach, Boise State was a member of the Big Sky and Eastern Kentucky was the opponent. After beating Grambling State, 14-9, a week earlier to make it to the national championship game, Boise State was facing a tough Eastern Kentucky squad. However, they pulled off a win in dramatic fashion, 31-29, to take home the national title. It was the second national title for Boise State in football, and it served as yet another building block for the program that would continue to rise.