Jan. 1
Fiesta Bowl
Boise State 43 ... Oklahoma 42 OT
In one of the wildest, most exciting finishes in college
football history, Boise State ran a trick play in overtime with
backup wide receiver Vinny Parretta connecting with Derek Schouman
for a five-yard score on fourth down, and then won it on a Statue of
Liberty play with Ian Johnson taking the ball from Jared Zabransky
for the two-point conversion. Oklahoma had to fight back to tie the
game getting a five-yard Quentin Chaney touchdown catch with 1:26 to
play. After penalties forced a third two-point conversion try, Paul
Thompson found Juaquin Iglesias for the tie. On the next play from
scrimmage, Zabransky was picked off by Marcus Walker for a 33-yard
interception return for a score. With under a minute to go, Boise
State went 78 yards in five plays converting on 4th and 18 for a
35-yard score on a hook-and-lateral with Drisan James catching the
ball and pitching it to Jerard Rabb, who took it for the score with
seven seconds in regulation. Boise State dominated the first 57
minutes thanks to four OU turnovers with a 27-yard Marty Tadman
interception for a score and two first half touchdown grabs from
James. OU fought back with 18 straight points including an
eight-yard Adrian Peterson touchdown run. Peterson scores in
overtime on OU's first play on 25-yard run.
Player of the
game ...
Boise State QB
Jared Zabransky completed 19 of 29 passes for 262 yards and three
touchdowns with an interception
Stat Leaders: Oklahoma - Passing: Paul
Thompson, 19-32, 233 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Adrian Peterson, 20-77, 2 TD Receiving:
Juaquin Iglesias, 6-120
Boise State - Passing: Jared Zabransky, 19-29,
262 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 23-101, 1 TD Receiving:
Derek Schouman, 8-72, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Quarter by quarter
game notes ...How
amazing was that? Boise State came through with amazingly executed
play after amazingly executed play to pull off the shocker in one of
the most exciting thrillers ever. Oklahoma made mistake after
mistake, but it showed tremendous heart to get into a position to
win late. The Broncos simply played better with some of wildly
imaginative plays in big moments. ... Boise State's lines held up
amazingly well. The offensive line gave Jared Zabransky a ton of
time and did just enough for the running game. ... Even though he
was amazing, it was great for Adrian Peterson to (most likely) end
his college career with a brilliant 26-yard overtime touchdown run.
|
2006
Schedule
CFN
Prediction:
11-1
2006 Record:
13-0
Preview 2006 predicted wins |
|
8/31 |
Sacramento St
W 45-0 |
| 9/7 |
Oregon State
W 42-14 |
| 9/16 |
at Wyoming
W 17-10 |
| 9/23 |
Hawaii
W 41-34 |
|
9/30 |
at Utah W 36-3 |
| 10/7 |
Louisiana Tech
W 55-14 |
|
10/15 |
at NMSU
W 40-24 |
|
10/21 |
at Idaho
W 42-26 |
| 11/1 |
Fresno State
W 45-21 |
| 11/11 |
at San Jose St
W 23-20 |
| 11/18 |
Utah State
W 49-10 |
| 11/25 |
at Nevada
W 35-7 |
| 1/1 |
Fiesta Bowl
Oklahoma W 43 42 OT |
|
|
2005
Schedule
CFN
Prediction:
10-2
2005 Record: 9-4
Preview 2005 predicted wins |
| 9/3 |
at Georgia L 48-13 |
| 9/10 |
at Oregon State L 30-27 |
| 9/21 |
Bowling Green
W 48-20 |
|
10/1 |
at Hawaii
W 44-41 |
| 10/8 |
Portland State
W 21-14 |
| 10/15 |
San Jose St
W 38-21 |
| 10/22 |
at Utah State
W 45-21 |
| 10/29 |
Nevada
W 49-14 |
| 11/5 |
New Mexico St
W 56-6 |
| 11/10 |
at Fresno St
L 27-7 |
| 11/19 |
Idaho
W 70-35 |
| 11/26 |
at La Tech
W 30-13 |
| 12/28 |
MPC Computers Bowl
Boston College L 27-21 |
|
Nov. 25
Boise State 35 ... Nevada 7
Boise State dominated defensively holding Nevada to 141 yards
and four first downs to seal a spot in the BCS. Ian Johnson ran for
three short touchdowns, Vinny Perretta added a five-yard dash, and
Legedu Naanee scored on 45-yard catch for more than enough points.
Nevada's only points came off a 45-yard Nick Hawthrone interception
return for a score as four fumbles killed the offense. Boise State
held on to the ball for 37:48.
Player of the
game ...
Boise State RB
Ian Johnson ran 31 times for 147 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Nevada - Passing: Jeff Rowe,
6-15, 35 yds
Rushing: Robert Hubbard, 12-105 Receiving: Caleb
Spencer, 4-17
Boise State - Passing: Jared Zabransky, 20-27,
299 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 31-147, 3 TD Receiving:
Legedu Naanee, 7-129, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... They're
in the big dance. Boise State had no problems whatsoever with a good
Nevada team thanks to a fantastic game from the defense that
generated pressure on Jeff Rowe all game long holding the
high-powered pistol attack to just four first downs. Ian Johnson
didn't quite look 100% after missing last week's game with a lung
problem, but he was a solid workhorse getting 31 carries. Now the
team gets plenty of rest before likely facing the Oklahoma-Nebraska
winner in the Fiesta Bowl. The program finally hit the big time.
Nov. 18
Boise State 49 ... Utah State 10
Boise State jumped out to a 21-0 lead on Brent Denton runs
from three and 27 yards out and a 46-yard Jerard Rabb scoring catch
and coasted from there. Jared Zabransky only missed on two of his 23
passes throwing for three scores including a 16-yard strike to
Legedu Naanee and an eight-yard pass to Ryan Putnam. Utah State
managed just 188 yards and seven first downs scoring on a 64-yard
Devon Hall fumble recover for a score in the fourth and a 31-yard
Bryan Shields field goal.
Player of the game ...
Boise State QB
Jared Zabransky went 21-of-23 for 236 yards and three touchdown
passes.
Stat Leaders: Utah State - Passing: Riley
Nelson, 6-15, 40 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Riley Nelson, 9-45 Receiving: Kevin
Robinson, 3-58
Boise State - Passing: Jared Zabransky, 21-23,
236 yds, 3 TDs
Rushing: Brett Denton, 17-125, 2 TDs Receiving: Derek
Schouman, 5-34
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Ho
hum. Another year, another WAC title. Boise State went through the
motions on Senior Day to blow up Utah State with 488 yards of total
offense, while the defense never let the Aggies breathe giving up
just seven first downs. The offense had no problems cranking out
rushing yards with Ian Johnson still recovering with Brett Denton
getting big holes to run through behind yet another tremendous day
from the offensive line. Jared Zabransky came up with one of his
most amazing performances of his great career completing 21 of 23
passes.
Nov. 11
Boise State 23 ... San Jose State 20
Down 20-12 late in the fourth, Boise State got a one-yard
touchdown run from Jared Zabransky followed up by a successful
two-point conversion on a pass to Jerard Rabb to tie it. After the
defense held, the BSU offense eight 18 yards in seven plays to set
up a 37-yard Anthony Montgomery field goal as time ran out.
Montgomery hit three field goals on the day and Ian Johnson ran for
a two-yard score, but San Jose State got up on three Adam Tafralis
touchdown passes and a great 54 minutes from the defense. Matt
Castelo made 20 tackles for the Spartans.
Player of the game ... Boise State RB Ian Johnson ran
29 times for 149 yards and a touchdown and caught one pass for 12
yards
Stat Leaders: Boise State - Passing:
Jared Zabransky, 14-20, 181 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 29-149, 1 TD, Receiving:
Drisan James, 4-118
San Jose State - Passing: Adam Tafralis,
17-23, 173 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Yonus Davis, 11-51. Receiving: James
Jones, 8-88, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Week
after week, Boise State finds ways to win. Call it heart or call it
a belief that the team knows it can win after being in every
imaginable situation before, but the Broncos made the plays needed
to beat San Jose State and keep the dream season alive. Jared
Zabransky had a brilliant game considering he was sick, while Ian
Johnson once again carried the offense when nothing else was
working. The key now is to build off the comeback win and be more
prepared for a dangerous regular-season finale against Nevada. Utah
State will be a walk in the park next week, but the trip to Reno
will be the end of the BCS hopes if the offense struggles early like
it did this week.
Nov. 1
Boise State 45 ... Fresno State 21
Boise State had no problems going on long marches tearing off
a 38-7 lead with three Jared Zabransky touchdown passes and a
three-yard Ian Johnson run. Fresno State held an early lead
answering a 38-yard Anthony Montgomery field goal with Chastin West
returning the ensuing kickoff for a score. The Bulldogs couldn't
move the ball, but they got held from a Damon Jenkins interception
return for a score and a 20-yard Joe Fernandez touchdown catch to
make the score look cosmetically better before Johnson ran for
another touchdown from two yards out.
Player of the game ... Boise State QB Jared Zabransky
completed 19 of 25 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns and a
touchdown and ran 11 times for 57 yards.
Stat Leaders: Boise State - Passing:
Jared Zabransky, 19-25, 180 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 24-136, 2 TD, Receiving:
Jerard Rabb. 4-68, 1 TD
Fresno State - Passing: Tom Brandstater,
7-14, 72 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dwayne Wright, 17-86. Receiving: Joe
Fernandez, 3-38, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Fresno
State isn't playing well,
but give Boise State credit for never letting the game be close.
Jared Zabransky was terrific managing the game in the first half
running as well as he threw it, wile Ian Johnson was his typical
self. The offense turned it off a bit in the second half, but the
defense picked up the slack with a terrific performance for sixty
minutes. Was this an impressive enough performance to get more
voters fired up about getting the Broncos into the BCS? Possibly,
just because the team was so efficient and the running game was so
impressive.
Oct. 21
Boise State 42 ... Idaho 26
Boise State's Ian Johnson ripped open a tight game with three
of his four touchdowns in the second half scoring twice in the
fourth quarter to finally put away a pesky Idaho. The Vandals pulled
within 28-26 on a 41-yard pass to Marlon Haynes, but the two-point
conversion failed and they never got close again. Jared Zabransky
didn't have a great game for the Broncos, but he connected with
Legedu Naanee for a 61-yard touchdown pass and threw a three-yard
score to Derek Schouman. Steve Wichman threw three touchdown passes
for the Vandals.
Player of the game ... Boise State RB Ian Johnson ran
27 times for 183 yards and four touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Boise State - Passing:
Jared Zabransky, 10-22, 145 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 27-183, 4 TD Receiving:
Jerard Rabb, 3-59
Idaho - Passing: Steve Wichman, 24-45,
328 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Jayson Byrd, 11-50. Receiving:
Marlon Haynes, 6-96, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Boise
State, by record alone, will find its way into the top 12 of the BCS
standings and will end up in one of the big money games, but if it's
going to get any national respect, it has to blow out teams like
Idaho without blinking. The Vandals got a little too close for
comfort late until Ian Johnson and the Bronco offensive line took
over. Now it's on to taking care of business over the final four
games and not slipping up. It would help if Jared Zabransky could be
a little sharper; someone's going to eventually stop Johnson.
Oct. 14
Boise State 40 ... New Mexico State
24
In a shootout with 1,004 yards of total offense, Boise State's
balance overcame New Mexico State's 526-yard passing onslaught. The
Broncos got up 27-7 on four Ian Johnson touchdown runs, and then
held on as Chase Holbrook threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Derek
Dubois and a seven-yard strike to Chris Williams. Jared Zabransky
threw two second half touchdown passes for the Broncos after the
Aggies pulled to within six.
Player of the game ... Boise State RB Ian Johnson ran
27 times for 192 yards and four touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Boise State - Passing:
Jared Zabransky, 14-21, 215 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 27-192, 4 TD Receiving:
Jerard Rabb, 3-59
New Mexico State - Passing: Chase
Holdbrook, 49-65, 526 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Jeremiah Williams, 8-15, 1 TD. Receiving:
Chris Williams, 13-191, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The
offense was as balanced as it has been all year in the win over New
Mexico State, but the game got way too close for comfort considering
the Broncos are now shooting for a BCS bid. it's not that the team
let up after getting up early; it simply got bombed on by the Aggie
passing attack. Even so, looks matter, and this wasn't the team's
best game. Even so, it came through when it had to and should keep
on rolling up until the only possible test left against San Jose
State and Nevada on the road.
Oct. 7
Boise State 55 ... Louisiana Tech 6
Jared Zabransky
threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more, and Marty Tadman
returned an interception 98 yards for a score
as Boise State overcame a 7-0 deficit to roll to the easy win. The
Broncos scored 55 straight points until Tech closed out the scoring
with a ten-yard Daniel Porter touchdown run in the final minutes.
Ian Johnson added a two-yard touchdown run for BSU and Brett Denton
scored twice in the second half in the blowout.
Player of the game ... Boise State QB Jared Zabransky
completed 11 of 18 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns and ran
nine times for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Boise State - Passing:
Jared Zabransky, 11-18, 184 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 14-92, 1 TD Receiving:
Jerard Rabb, 4-48, 1 TD
Louisiana Tech - Passing: Zac Champion,
14-29, 135 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Patrick Jackson, 15-70, 1 TD. Receiving:
Josh Wheeler, 3-59
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The
machine keeps on rolling with the ground game dominating Louisiana
Tech with 265 yards and four touchdowns and Jared Zabransky coming
up with his best all-around game of the year. What makes the blowout
all the more impressive was the way the Broncos had to overcome
mistakes losing three fumbles and not doing too much on third downs.
It didn't matter; everything was working. The toughest foe Chris
Petersen's club will have to deal with will be complacency. There's
no one on the slate good enough to stay within 30.
Sept. 30
Boise State 36 ... Utah 3
Boise State busted open a 3-3 tie with 33 unanswered points
helped by a 20-point explosion highlighted by a 12-yard interception
return for a touchdown from Colt Brooks off a horribly thrown pass
from Brett Ratliff. The Broncos got three Anthony Montgomery field
goals, an eight-yard scoring run from Vinny Perretta, a touchdown
run and throw from Jared Zabransky as the offense took advantage of
every opportunity. The Utes replaced Ratliff with Tommy Grady, but
the offense didn't go anywhere finishing with a mere 178 yards.
Utah's Steve Tate and Casey Evans combined for 23 tackles.
Player of the game ... Boise State LB Korey Hall led
the team with eight tackles with two interceptions and a broken up
pass.
Stat Leaders: Boise State - Passing:
Jared Zabransky, 17-29, 273 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 29-178, 2 TD Receiving:
Drisan James, 5-66
Utah - Passing: Brett Ratliff, 5-21, 30
yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Darryl Poston, 13-50. Receiving: Brian
Hernandez, 3-22
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The win
over Utah might have been the most impressive in the program's great
recent history. Utah was rested, ready, and pumped up to make a
statement, but it didn't do anything to slow down the BSU running
game while the offense had no answer for the Bronco defensive speed.
Korey Hall and the linebackers were all over the ball making big
play after big play, and the offense capitalized. Now it's a
question of maintaining focus for the final seven games. While the
team won't deserve to play for the national title, it if wins out,
this game showed that it deserves a spot in the BCS to show what it
can do.
Sept. 23
Boise State 41 ... Hawaii 34
The game lived up to the offensive hype with 991 yards of
total yards and 50 first downs between the two teams. Boise State
got out to a 34-14 lead early in the third quarter helped by two
Jared Zabransky touchdown passes and two Ian Johnson scoring runs.
Hawaii exploded with two Colt Brennan touchdown passes to Davone
Bess and an eight yard scoring strike to Jason Rivers to get within
seven, but the Broncos were able to run out the clock sealed by a
16-yard run from Johnson on fourth and one. Boise State rumbled on
the ground got 242 yards and Hawaii passed for 388
Player of the game ... Boise State RB Ian Johnson ran
29 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns and caught a pass to ten
yards
Stat Leaders: Boise State - Passing:
Jared Zabrasnsky, 17-29, 273 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 29-178, 2 TD Receiving:
Drisan James, 5-66
Hawaii - Passing: Colt Brennan, 25-36,
388 yds, 5 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Nate Ilaoa, 12-68. Receiving: Davone Bess,
6-104, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Boise
State was able to take advantage of three Hawaii turnovers and got
another brilliant day from Ian Johnson, helped by a big fourth down
dash to run out the clock, to firmly establish itself as the leader
in the WAC race. Jared Zabransky was great at keeping the chains
moving and providing some balance, especially in the third quarter,
but it was all about Johnson helping the Broncos win a critical time
of possession battle 35:02 to 24:58. Now it's on to Utah and the
last likely barrier between BSU and an unbeaten season.
Sept. 16
Boise State 17 ... Wyoming 10
Boise State needed its defense to get by Wyoming with a
61-yard interception return for a touchdown from Quinton Jones to go
along with a six-yard scoring run from Jared Zabransky for a 17-3
lead going into the fourth quarter. The Cowboys got a one-yard
scoring run from Jacob Doss, but saw their one last drive die with
an interception.
Player of the game ... Boise State LB Korey Hall made
11 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Stat Leaders: Boise State - Passing:
Jared Zabrasnsky, 12-20, 116 yds
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 23-119 Receiving:
Drisan James, 4-16
Wyoming - Passing: Jacob Doss, 14-30, 178
yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Wynel Seldon, 12-39. Receiving: Michael
Ford, 4-72
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Boise State simply isn't the same team on the road it is at home,
but it proved against Wyoming that the defense can win games.
That'll come in handy over the next two weeks against Hawaii and
Utah. It has to be a bit of a concern that the passing game hasn't
clicked yet this year. Ian Johnson has been so good running the ball
that there's been no need for an air attack. The Broncos probably
can't win over the next two weeks unless Zabransky throws for over
200 yards.
Sept. 8
Boise State 42 ... Oregon State 14
Oregon State jumped out to 14-0 lead midway through the first
quarter on a three-yard touchdown catch from Joe Newton and a punt
return for a touchdown by Sammie Stroughter, and then the floodgates
opened as BSU RB Ian Johnson tore off touchdown runs from 59, four,
three, 19 and 50 yards out on the way to 42 unanswered Bronco
points. OSU couldn't get the offense going having problems with a
Bronco pass rush that cranked out six sacks. Legedu Naanee caught a
short touchdown pass for the other BSU score.
Player of the game ... Boise State RB Ian Johnson ran
22 times for 240 yards and five touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Boise State - Passing:
Jared Zabrasnsky, 8-13, 105, 1 TD
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 22-240, 5 TD. Receiving:
Legedu Naanee, 2-22, 1 TD
Oregon State - Passing: Matt Moore,
12-17, 115 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Yvenson Bernard, 24-89. Receiving: Sammie
Stroughter, 6-73
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Boise State looked as dominant
as ever blowing out Oregon State with a frighteningly efficient
running game, led by Ian Johnson, to go along with a suffocating
defense that was fast, active, and very mean. The Beavers never had
a shot once the Bronco defensive front started getting into the
backfield on a regular basis. Of course, all the talk will be about
Johnson's breathtaking day. He looks like the type of weapon
everyone will have to pay attention to, and that will mean easy
pickings for QB Jared Zabransky with both his legs and his arm.
Outside of a trip to Utah, no one else appears to have a shot at
beating BSU if the team keeps playing this well.
Aug. 31
Boise State 45 ... Sacramento State 0
The Chris Petersen era got rolling at Boise State with the
Broncos cranking out 427 yards of total offense. Sacramento State
only managed 82 yards of total offense and got killed on turnovers
with two interceptions setting up two Bronco scores. Ian Johnson ran
for two short first quarter scores and Jared Zabrasnky ran for a
touchdown and threw for two others highlighted by a 52-yard play to
Drisan James. Sacramento State only converted one of 12 third down
conversions and came up with three first downs.
Player of the game ... Boise State QB Jared Zabransky
completed 11 of 20 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns and ran
eight times for 31 yards and a score..
Stat Leaders: Boise State - Passing:
Jared Zabrasnsky, 11-20, 181 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Ian Johnson, 13-89, 2 TD. Receiving:
Legedu Naanee, 4-19, 1 TD
Sacramento State - Passing: Crosby Wehr,
3-6, 25 yds
Rushing: Kris Daniels, 13-24. Receiving: Bobby
Mooshagian, 3-15
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Every team should get in a
light scrimmage before starting the season. Beating up someone like
Sacramento State in the opener does far more than playing some like
Georgia, which the Broncos opened up with last year, since it allows
everyone to get in the swing of things again. The offense wasn't
always sharp, but there's nothing to complain about. The defense was
fantastic and the special teams were outstanding with a great day
from punter Kyle Stringer. This should get the Broncos more than
ready for Oregon State.
2006 Boise State Preview
Boise State Preview |
Offense |
Defense |
Depth Chart |
Further Analysis
The
last time there was a coaching change at Boise State, the results
were even better than before. How can Chris Petersen build on what
Dan Hawkins did after replacing Dirk Koetter?
New Colorado head coach Hawkins cranked out 53 wins in five years
while establishing BSU as the preeminent program in the WAC despite
some splashy moments from Fresno State and Hawaii. Fortunately for
Petersen, he inherits a heater of a team from Hawkins that should be
the favorite for the WAC title. While there aren't the pressures and
expectations in Boise like there are in South Bend or Norman,
anything less than a title with this team would set off alarms.
Petersen won't change the high-octane offense too much, if at all,
considering he was the team's offensive coordinator last year, but
there'll be a spotlight on an interesting coaching staff that has a
world of potential. Hawkins was a unique talent who was a master at
pushing buttons and coming up with innovations needed to keep one
step ahead of the rest of the league. How much tinkering will go on
with what worked? Is the coaching change seen as an opening for the
rest of the league to take over? Once again, not with this team.
If the defense isn't with
Fresno State's as the
best in the league by a long shot, then that means something went
horribly, horribly wrong. The secondary will give up a ton of yards, as
it always does at BSU, but it's full of All-WAC talents who can all run.
Korey Hall and Colt Brooks lead a loaded linebacking corps, and the
line, anchored by Andrew Browning, should be dominant against the inept
WAC rushing games.
Of course, Boise State has
been known for its offense, and that's where Petersen and new and very
young offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin have to shine. Quarterback
Jared Zabransky slipped in a big way after a fantastic sophomore season,
but he's a seasoned veteran who should shine behind a strong offensive
line and with a receiving corps that would get all the WAC pub if it
weren't for that crew out in Hawaii. The attack should be just fine.
So what are the
expectations? Where can the program possibly go from here? For starters,
beating a really, really big boy would be nice. Even though there aren't
any to be had on the slate, getting to the BCS, now that the rules have
changed and a fifth bowl has been added, is a real possibility.
Yeah, it's all on Petersen.
Outside of a massive outbreak of injuries, the Broncos should shine.
The Schedule: When a trip to Utah is your
toughest test, you know a huge season is in store. There's only one BCS
conference team to play, Oregon State, and it has to come to Boise.
Three of the big league games against Louisiana Tech, Hawaii and Fresno
State are also at home, but all the fun and merriment could come to a
screeching halt in the regular season finale at Nevada. Outside of a
road trip to Wyoming and the games against the Wolf Pack, Beavers and
Bulldogs, the Fresno State kind, it'll be a shock if else comes within
20.
Best
Offensive Player: Sophomore OT Ryan Clady. The new Daryn Colledge,
the 6-6, 319-pound sophomore moves over to right tackle where he
should be a fringe All-America candidate for the next three years.
While he has a lot of work to do to be as good as Colledge was, he
has all the tools to be great.
Best
Defensive Player: Senior LB Korey Hall. Being the best defensive
player in the WAC is a bit like being the best episode of Arliss,
but Hall is a talented veteran in the middle of the defense with 283
career tackles and 21 tackles for loss. He's always around the ball
and always in the right position.
Key
player to a successful season:
Senior QB Jared Zabransky. If he tears off huge rushing yards in
chunks and is the always-clutch leader he was as a sophomore, a
double-digit win season is a lock. If he he keeps throwing
interceptions and has a meltdown like he had in the season opener at
Georgia last season, the Taylor Tharp era might begin and then all
bets are off.
The
season will be a success if ...
Boise State gets to the BCS. It'll take
11 wins with the one loss being in a nail-biter, but the schedule is
too light and the team is too loaded to shoot for anything less.
Even if the formula doesn't end up working out and the Broncos don't
go to one of the big games, a WAC title would be nothing to sneeze
at.
Key
game: Nov. 25 at Nevada. Taking away the bowl game last year in
Boise, the last regular season home loss the Broncos have suffered
was in 2001 to Washington State. That's a span of 30 games meaning
it's doubtful anyone touches Boise State on the blue turf. If Nevada
is as good as expected, the WAC finale could be for the title.
2005
Fun Stats:
- Third quarter scoring: Boise State 121 - Opponents 45
- Sacks: Boise State 38 for 214 yards - Opponents 19 for 143 yards
- Rushing touchdowns: Boise State 36 - Opponents 9
The Last Time Boise State…
…played in a bowl game…2005 (MPC Computers Bowl vs. Boston College)
…missed a bowl game…2001
…pitched a shutout…2003 (Idaho State)
…was shutout…1997 (Washington State)
…scored 50 points…2005 (Idaho)
…won a conference title…2005 (share, WAC)
…had a 3,000-yard passer…2003 (Ryan Dinwiddie)
…had a 1,000-yard rusher…2003 (David Mikell)
…had a 1,000-yard receiver…2003 (Tim Gilligan)
…had a first-round draft choice…never
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