Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Big Red Sports

Kevin Boss' fourth quarter catch sparked New York's first touchdown drive.

When going into the Super Bowl fans don't expect rookies to have much impact on the game. Going into Super Bowl XLII New York Giant fans did not expect the play that would spark the Giants to win the game to come from a rookie from Philomath, Oregon.

So unknown is Kevin Boss that in the story "Koets, Droughns: Just being there is enough" ran in the Oregonian on Jan. 30. about two players from Oregon schools on the Giants roster; offensive lineman Adam Koets from Oregon State and running back Rueben Droughns from Oregon. The Oregonian conveniently forgot that while Koets and Droughns are backing up other players, rookie tight end Kevin Boss of Western Oregon University would be starting the game.

Boss, who started in the place of the injured Jeremy Shockey, would provide the spark to the Giants' scoring in the second half that ended the New England Patriots' run at perfection. On the first play of the fourth quarter's opening drive, Eli Manning and the Giants started at their own 20 yard line. When the ball was hiked by the Giants' center, Manning looked over the field and found Boss open 10 yards down field. After shaking off two tacklers Boss raced 35 yards down field for a total gain of 45 yards. With that catch, living rooms all over Philomath and Monmouth exploded as the home town hero made a key catch. Five plays later Manning would find David Tyree in the end zone for the score. But it was Boss' 45 yard play that sparked the Giants to their historic win. •

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