Boise State University’s football team moved into elite company on Sunday (Sept. 27) as the Broncos moved to the No. 5 ranking in both the USA Today Coaches and Associated Press media polls following their 49-14 win at Bowling Green Saturday (Sept. 26) night.
Undefeated at 4-0, Boise State joins a top five that includes No. 1 Florida followed by Texas, Alabama and LSU. The Broncos recorded 1,144 points in the coaches’ poll and 1,203 points in the AP poll, moving up three spots in both rankings. Both polls had the top five teams the same this week.
The No. 5 ranking is the highest regular season ranking in school history for the Broncos. Boise State did have a No. 5 ranking one other time when it was fifth in the final Associated Press poll of the 2006 season. The Broncos were also ranked No. 6 in the final 2006 coaches’ poll, which followed the team’s 43-42 win over Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
Boise State’s No. 5 ranking is the highest regular season ranking for a WAC team since former member BYU was fifth on Dec. 9, 1996.
In regards to some national statistical rankings following Saturday’s win, Boise State is tied for the team lead in sacks allowed with 10 other teams. The Broncos have allowed only two quarterback sacks in their first four games.
Boise State is also ranked in the top 10 in five other team statistical categories. The Broncos are fifth in pass efficiency defense with a rating of 83.69; seventh in scoring offense (41.75), kickoff returns (32.71) and offensive pass efficiency (166.82); and ninth in net punting with a 40.73 mark.
Individually, quarterback Kellen Moore has the nation’s second best pass efficiency rating at 177.51. The sophomore signal caller has completed 70 of 101 passes for 932 yards, 10 touchdowns and only one interception. Hawai’i quarterback Greg Alexander has the nation’s top efficiency rating at 178.76.
Boise State returns to Bronco Stadium this Saturday (Oct. 3) for a 6:07 kickoff vs. UC Davis. This will be the only home game for the Broncos until they return to host San Jose State on Halloween night.
Posted on October 7th, 2009 by Admin
How Does The Loss Of DJ Harper Affect Boise State Running The Table?
By Lace Banachek | Boise State Gameday Correspondent
Already this season fans have watched Jeron Johnson, George Iloka, and DJ Harper fall hard to the turf. Sadly, one of the three (the Texas Tornado) tore an ACL and could not get up on his own; he will be lost for the season.
What does that mean for the Boise State Broncos who seem destined to prove they can run the ball this year. Well it obviously would mean more if Harper was not hurt, but the Broncos are not devastated yet. Enter Doug Martin, the all everything for the Broncos.
Doug plays special teams (all star), offense (running back), and defense (nickel). Doug’s heart is bigger then his 5’9 dimensions. He just wants to get out there. Yet to play this year at running back is the injured Matt Kaiserman.
Matt will be beneficial when he returns, but until then junior Jarvis Hodge will be counted on to assist Jeremy Avery and Martin in the tailback position. Helping to bust open holes is the job of the O-Line, and full backs. Both are doing a far better job then last season.
Leading the way at fullback is the 6’2 Richie Brockel. Richie is also added at the fullback position by former linebacker Dan Paul. Dan is a great blocker and is relentless once on the field. Down the road the Broncos have another treat at the Tailback/fullback position, but this one will be used very sparingly at the position, he is defensive tackle Michael “Canadian Bacon” Atkinson.
Bacon is a 320-pound mass of battering prowess. Michael will be coming off suspension and ready to play on October 3rd, when Boise State entertains Cal Davis. Cal Davis is the former school that Bronco coach Chris Petersen played quarterback very successfully.
It would appear that the Broncos are OK with or without the Tornado, but to borrow a heavily used phrase from the University of Texas coach Mack Brown, “not so fast big boy”; You just don’t take a back out of the game that gives you 6 yards a carry on average and expect it not to make a difference.
Having said that, the Broncos will most likely pass more often, and that should not upset the fans. However, Avery will continue to get the ball, it would be ridiculous not to, especially after Jeremy Avery tore loose Friday with a 186-yard effort against Fresno State.
The Broncos are deep, very deep and not at just running back. Don’t look for the loss of any player other then Kellen Moore to affect the overall win-loss of the Broncos. Even Kellen Moore has a respectable back up in 6’5 Mike Coughlin and a to be super star Joe Southwick waiting in the wing temporarily at no. 3.
The bottom line is Broncos will be solid for the next few years. They are getting better, BCS bound better, and that’s another story. Go Broncos
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