An all-around effort was put on full display Saturday in Boise as all facets – offense, defense, and special teams – were polished. It was an encouraging performance before the Broncos travel to South Bend this week for what will be a memorable bout with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. By The Numbers First Downs: […]
An all-around effort was put on full display Saturday in Boise as all facets – offense, defense, and special teams – were polished.
It was an encouraging performance before the Broncos travel to South Bend this week for what will be a memorable bout with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
By The Numbers
First Downs: BSU 25 – APP 10
Third Downs: BSU 9/18 (50%) – APP 2/13 (15.3%)
Fourth Downs: BSU 2/3 (66.6%) – APP 1/1 (100%)
Total Yards: BSU 473 – APP 184
Passing Yards: BSU 321 – APP 65
Rushing Yards: BSU 152 – APP 119
Times Sacked: BSU 2 – APP 5
Penalties: BSU 5 for 55 yards – APP 11 for 94 yards
Turnovers: BSU 0 – APP 4
The Eye Test
Defense
Bravo.
After allowing 34 and 37 points against FBS competition, many thought that the Mountaineers would waltz in and easily throw the ball around the yard, considering their pass-happy scheme.
Boise State paid no mind to that notion, giving up an absurd 65 passing yards.
The Broncos were flying around The Blue and taking names.
A’Marion McCoy and Boen Phelps took it even further as they both collected pick-sixes.
Even on the drives that App State scored on, it was because of Boise State’s mental errors. In the second quarter, the Broncos had App State in a 3rd-and-23 situation, but Max Stege was flagged for a roughing-the-passer penalty that extended the drive.
In the third quarter, a poorly covered punt allowed the Mountaineers to start on the BSU 42-yard line.
Other than that, defensive coordinator Erik Chinander had his unit energized and prepared better than any performance so far this season.
Even the second unit was lively and pulling at the chain.
Unfortunately, a pair of injuries are of concern as defensive lineman Braxton Fely had to exit temporarily due to a “stinger”.
He came back in with a neck roll and continued to play.
The same cannot be said for defensive back Jaden Mickey.
The Notre Dame transfer was injured on a kickoff return and was motionless for a concerning amount of time as trainers and medical personnel attended to him, later placing him on a stretcher.
As Mickey was transferred off the field, he gave a thumbs up to those in attendance, and on Sunday, it was announced that he had been released from the hospital and has “returned to his normal functional abilities.”
A concussion was the only official diagnosis – nothing further.
Special Teams
Despite fears, kicker Colton Boomer did his job to perfection.
The transfer nailed both field goal attempts and all five PATs.
Punter Oscar Doyle did just fine, booting four punts for an average of 41 yards.
Nothing to report in the return game…per usual.
Offense
Maddux Madsen – take a bow.
Fans and media, including myself, are hard on you.
But you stepped up against an inferior opponent and had one heck of an efficient day (25/37 for 321 yards and four TDs).
It never feels like Madsen is having a spectacular game.
Maybe it’s due to the head-scratching incompletions from time to time or the batted throws by the defensive line.
But at the end of the day, he made some great throws to numerous receivers as six different targets recorded three or more receptions (WR Latrell Caples – 5, WR Chris Marshall – 3, WR Ben Ford – 3, TE Matt Lauter – 3, TE Matt Wagner – 3, and RB Malik Sherrod – 3).
Marshall showed some giddy up on an open-field catch that showcased his yards-after-catch ability.
One would hope we see more of that going forward and less of the butterfingers that we have seen from time to time.
The play of the night on offense, however, was true freshman WR Quinton Brown’s 29-yard TD catch. His helmet popped off and rolled within the endzone while he remained down, clutching his first collegiate touchdown.
Trainers made their way to Brown, and after a few moments, a towel was pressed against his nose. But the euphoria of the moment flooded back to focus, and Brown began celebrating like it was 1999 despite a bloodied face.
He’s a future Bronco favorite.
Despite the overwhelming positivity on offense, there was a injury suffered that could loom large as the season continues.
Right guard Roger Carreon was assisted off the field with an apparent knee injury and didn’t return to Saturday’s game. An update is expected on Monday during Spencer Danielson’s presser, but there is fear that the injury may be serious.
The run game wasn’t anything to write home about as the trio of Sherrod, Gaines, and Riley ran for 49, 69, and 46 yards, respectively.
Moving Forward
The big one.
One of the meccas of college football.
Touchdown Jesus.
“Play Like A Champion”.
Rudy.
The No. 21 Notre Dame Fighting Irish are up next for the blue and orange.
Marcus Freeman’s squad is 2-2, but that record deserves a giant asterisk as both losses came to No. 3 Miami (27-24) and No. 6 Texas A&M (41-40).
If Boise State has any hope of reclaiming a legitimate stake in the CFP chase, a win in South Bend would go a long way.
Up Next: At Notre Dame (Independent) on Saturday, October 4th (1:30 p.m. MT).
Let us know your thoughts on Boise State’s dominating win against Appalachian State and your early predictions on this weekend’s test at mighty Notre Dame in the comments!
Category: General Sports
