The Broncos did not have as dominating a performance as the previous two games, but they played well enough to get the victory on the road and finish undefeated in the Mountain West for the first time ever!
This game was really a tale of two halves, with Boise State scoring on every possession in the first half and punting on their first 3 possessions of the second half. If not for an amazing leaping grab by Khalil Shakir to extend their fourth drive of the half, followed by another sideline grab by CT Thomas, the Broncos may have not scored in the second half at all. But I don’t want to take those plays away from them because this game was full of big plays!
OFFENSE
I can not say enough about Jaylon Henderson! Despite the Offense only scoring once in the second half, Jaylon finished 26 of 36 for 253 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 8 of his first 10 passes and led the offense to score on every drive of the first half. In my mind there was only one or two passes that he actually missed in the first half, the others were catchable. The guy was on fire, and I don’t know how anyone can call him “third-string.”
The running game regressed this week. I don’t know if the offensive line just wasn’t as good as the previous two weeks, or if Colorado State was keying on the run. Whatever it was, the Broncos were not efficient with the running game and even appeared to abandon it at times. I’m not sure if that’s the offensive coordinator fearing it, or just being really good at taking what the defensive gives them. Either way, Boise State has shown it can run the ball well at times and it would be nice to make that more consistent.
I would be remiss without mentioning how awesome the wide receiver group was in this game. Not a single wide receiver, but the entire group helped in many ways this game. Khalil Shakir, CT Thomas, and John Hightower all had 5+ catches, as well as ran the ball in end arounds, or jet sweeps. Some of the catches I saw in this game were simply amazing, and something I’ve been waiting to see. But there wasn’t just one, there were numerous amazing plays in this game, and it’s awesome to see several players stepping up.
DEFENSE
The defense wasn’t anything to write home about this week (funny to say that as I’m writing about them) but did their job to help the team get the win. I think this was an all-around team defense performance, which enable them to hold off Colorado State just enough.
Tyreque Jones had an early interception (I believe CSU’s second drive) in Colorado State territory that he returned to the 20-yard line, that definitely had an impact on this game, as it led to a Boise State score. And Curtis Weaver’s pass deflection and interception may be one of the most athletic plays I’ve ever seen by a defensive end – it was simply stunning. Unfortunately, it was right before the half and the Broncos were only able to get three points off that turnover.
Now the most exciting play of the night by the defense came late in the fourth quarter as CSU was driving to possibly tie the game. Of course I am talking about David Moa’s sack of the CSU quarterback for a nine-yard loss! It was the first and only sack of the night by the Broncos, but it was a big one! This one sticks out as I was listening to the game live on Sirius XM (obviously I watched the game when I got home too 😊) while driving through the Nevada desert trying not to wake my sons sleeping in the back seat; the defense hadn’t done anything all night to make me audibly cheer, but with this sack I yelled and clapped so loud that yep, I woke the kids…
SPECIAL TEAMS
While not having any game defining plays, I think the special team’s unit had a quietly successful night. One of those nights you don’t even notice until you look at the stats. Joel Velasquez, who has struggled off-and-on this season, averaged over 40 yards per punt on 4 attempts this night. John Hightower had 78 kickoff return yards on 3 returns, while Akilian Butler had one return for 17 yards.
The two highlights of special teams this year, for me, would have to be Eric Sachse, the place kicker, and Avery Williams the punt returner. CSU only punted twice in this game, and never gave Avery Williams a chance at a return. And, solid as can be, Sachse went 1 of 1 on field goals. Overall, looking at the combined stats of everyone, this was a solid night for special teams.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Not every game is going to be perfect, even if we the fans (or the players or coaches) want them to be. However, this team has some ballers and they are resilient enough to pull out a win even when not having their best night. But boy did the offense look good in the first half, led by a quarterback that I don’t think plans on relinquishing his position, as well as some amazing individual efforts by the skill players.
We also must realize, the Broncos did this with the division already locked up! It would be very easy to look past this game to the Mountain West championship, or not even care about this game. But this team has something to prove, and they went on the road, already knowing they were going to the championship game, and pulled out a gritty win.
No matter what you think of this team, we must sit back and realize they accomplished something no other Boise State team has accomplished in history. They went undefeated in the Mountain West! Let that soak in for a second. Did you even realize that hadn’t been achieved before? Not only that, but they did it with three different starting quarterbacks, and a freshman running back that essentially took over for the injured starter! I only see upside for this team.
Here’s to 1-0 next week and bringing home the Mountain West Championship!
Hope to see you all there!
