Fiesta Bowl Ball Coming to Boise

Boise, Idaho -- It's been nine months since the Boise State football team won the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.

We now know who has that famous football, Ian Johnson tried to throw to his family after he scored the winning two-point conversion. This weekend, the Arizona man who caught it is bringing it and his family to Boise.

We all remember this game-winning play that crowned the Boise State Broncos the 2007 Fiesta Bowl Champs, but what ever happened to that game-winning ball that Ian Johnson threw toward his family in the stands?

"That football was supposed to go in the trophy case, but someone else has got it now," said one of the announcers at the Fiesta Bowl.

Since Jan. 1, Jim Hoepf has been proudly displaying the football in his Chandler, Arizona home. Recently, Boise State University found out that the Hoepf family had it and worked out a deal to get it back. They're flying the Hoepf's to Boise this weekend to watch a game on the blue.

"It was a pretty easy thing for us to do in order to get that ball back because it's a very significant thing in the history of our program," said Brad Larrondo with Boise State University.

The University is also planning a big ceremony for the ball's return. Before Sunday's game, fans will be able to see the Hoepf's hand over the piece of Fiesta Bowl memorabilia to BSU.

How do we know the ball coming back this weekend is actually the one used in the Fiesta Bowl? Boise State officials say all of the balls used in that game have the Boise State emblem and the initials of one of the referees.

"A lot of collectors would have either never said they had it or they would have put it on sale on ebay. We were fortunate that he kept it and we're looking forward to getting it back," said Larrondo.

BSU wants to display the famous pigskin with the rest of its BCS championship keepsakes, including the replica Fiesta Bowl trophy. Even though the Hoepf's will be losing their biggest Boise State game-day souvenoir, they're excited it will have a new home, where it belongs.

The Hoepf family will also tour the city and BSU's campus. Their 17-year-old son is considering attending Boise State.

The Broncos take on New Mexico State in their first conference game this Sunday at 6 p.m. It will be televised by ESPN.