The fifth installment of blue turf, which the BSU players call “The Blue”, took place this July in Bronco Stadium. This is Coach Chris Petersen’s fifth year as the Broncos’ head coach with a record of 53-4 (.930). The 4-0 Broncos are looking to make Toledo its fifth straight win this year. And they may well have a bit of chip on their shoulder. The Broncos fell from third to fourth in this week’s USA Today Coaches and Associated Press top 25 polls despite their 59-0 win over New Mexico State University Aggies (0-4).
The 2010 BSU football edition features nearly everyone from last year’s 14-0 team. The Broncos lost one starter and only two players that played last season with regularity making them deep and very experienced. As has become a BSU tradition, the competition for playing time is fierce pushing starters to be even better.
Let’s take a closer look inside the Broncos’ stalls.
Broncos on Offense:
The upfront workhorses make the offense go. The offensive line is very experienced with four returning junior starters, including 1st team All-WAC guard Nate Potter. This may be the most unique group of offensive linemen in the nation. Offensive line coach Chris Strausser has one goal: to identify the best five players regardless of position. The players say they aren't fazed by the game of musical chairs. For some of them, it's all they've ever known and, based on their record, they know a lot. Their knowledge is demonstrated by the time they allow for the passing game (12th in nation at 298 ypg) and the openings they create for BSU ball carriers (18th in the nation at nearly 230 ypg.). Combined, the Broncos are currently 4th in total offense. They have allowed just one QB sack over the first four games.
The rein master is junior QB Kellen Moore (6’0”, 191#) in the thick of the Heisman Trophy run. He has completed 66.4% of his passes for 1069 yards, 11 TDs and just 1 INT. “He’s so accurate, and he knows where to go with the ball on every single play, whether there’s pressure or not,” Wyoming coach Christensen said. “He understands what their offense is trying to do as far as exploiting the defense. He knows where to put the ball, and he makes great decisions with the football.” Moore is a passer who runs the ball as the last option. He’s done that a grand total of six times this year.
The running is left to a stable of RBs led by junior Doug Martin (5’9”, 212#) who is averaging 105 ypg (7.2 ypr.) Senior Jeremy Avery (5’9”, 174#) averaging 5.2 ypr and junior D.J. Harper (5’’9”, 208#) with 8.9 ypr provide the secondary thrust of the running attack. Think you need a 225+ pound RB in short yardage situations? Not with Doug Martin carrying the ball. He is always moving forward gaining yards after contact.
Fifteen Broncos have caught passes this year. Tops, by far, are seniors WRs Titus Young (5’11”, 175#) with 20 receptions (19.0 ypc) and 2 TDs and Austin Pettis (6’3”, 203#) with 18 grabs (14.1 ypc.) and a team leading 4 TDs. In the red zone, Pettis is Moore’s go-to-guy. The RBs are also involved in the Broncos aerial assault with Doug Martin catching 8 passes (13.5 ypc), D.J. Harper and Jeremy Avery combining for seven catches and 50 yards. Leading all receivers in yards per catch is sophomore WR Chris Potter (5’9”, 160#) with a 24.5 ypc average. TE Tommy Gallarda has five catches, two for TDs.
Close to two-thirds of the Bronco scoring occurs in the first half.
Broncos on Defense:
The Broncos rushing defense is ranked 5th allowing a bit less than 76 yards per game on a 2.08 ypc average for the opposition. Their pass defense is 10th in the nation yielding slightly less than 176 yards per game. Combined, the BSU defense ranks number one in the nation. (Second place belongs to Arizona.)
Leading the defense upfront are junior DT Billy Winn (6’4”, 288#) and senior DE Ryan Winterswyk (6’4”, 270#) Winn is a big play maker. He dominated Virginia Tech's offensive line until they doubled him. He's both fast and strong, and plays mean. Winterswyk is a walk on safety who added 45 pounds without losing much speed. He’s strong, smart and plays the run and rushes equally well. DE Shea McClellin (6’3”, 254#) leads the team with three sacks. SS Jeron Johnson leads BSU with 25 tackles. Thirteen other Broncos have recorded double-digit tackles. Defensive meetings are held on the field in bunches.
The secondary has given up just four touchdowns this year. So far this year, the Broncos have held opponents to under 52% passes completed with the safety and CB picking off two passes. This unit has a dozen pass break ups and 14 pass deflections. S George Iloka and CB Brandyn Thompson have three each in both categories.
Broncos Special Teams:
Senior Kyle Brotzman is 9 for 10 on his field goal attempts connecting on his last seven kicks plus he is 18 for 19 on PATs. Brotzman is also averaging 40.8 yards per punt. Most kickoffs are handled by Trevor Harman putting the ball inside the three yard line as a rule. Brotzman puts the ball inside the four when he is used to kickoff.
Kickoff coverage is solid holding opponents to a 20.9 ypr average and a season long of 40 yards but they did allow NMSU to start three possessions beyond their own 40 after kickoffs. Punt coverage squad has allowed three of the nine punts to be returned an average of 21 yards. The Broncos are averaging a hair less than 11 yards per punt return with WRs Mitch Burroughs and Titus Young handling most of the returns. Young returns kickoffs nearly 25 yards per return.
What To Look For:
• The Broncos to score early as is their habit - given their drop in the polls and the character of this team, they will not be looking past the Rockets
• Rockets to be wearing white uniforms
• Field position and Rockets’ favor not to be used in the same sentence during the broadcast
• More penalties by the Rockets (sigh) than the Broncos but not by many
• Another INT by the Rockets defense
• My photos of the game the following week
For the Rockets to be competitive they will have to score more than once in the first half against a team that has allowed just one TD in the first quarter all year.
GO ROCKETS!
Media Coverage
Live Internet audio coverage is available via RocketVision and WSPD.com
Television coverage provided by KTVB out of Boise and the WAC Sports Network. The game will also be available on ESPN's GamePlan. Kickoff at 8:00 pm (ET)
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