Austin Dantin heads into Rocket locker room after BSU game.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Blog Swap
We teamed up with BlueTurfNation.com, a Boise State blog site, for a blog swap. Below are our questions for BTN, and their answers:
Expectations are high in Boise, with the chance of playing in the BCS National Championship Game being floated around. This could be a recipe for overlooking opponents that are not in BCS AQ conferences, yet Boise State has outscored those opponents 110-6 so far this year. How has Coach Petersen been able to keep their focus up for these games when they are favored by large spreads?
Well lets start with "Expectations". Boise State does not expect to play in the BCS National Championship game. The players and coaching staff know it is not in their hands, so they have a philosophy of taking things one game at a time and letting the chips fall as they will. The Broncos may have overlooked teams in past years but this team - Not a chance. Coach Pete really puts an emphasis on the next game and the players all have bought in to this. As for why are they favored by such large margins? Success with large margins and the field of opponents warranting such margins.
Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore has put up "video game" like numbers the last couple of years. Has there been talk of him leaving early for the NFL?
If Boise State makes it to The Big Show, I would think that Kellen may explore his options. If they play in a lesser Bowl, them most likely not. I think he'll finish his collegiate career then move on to Sunday appearances.
What can Rocket fans expect from Boise State this Saturday?
The most aggressive team they have faced to date. They will strike fast and keep after it until it's time to bring in the bench. What can you expect from the bench? These are the future of the program and they are every bit as hungry and every bit as aggressive.
For the Rocket fans that are traveling to Boise for this game, what are the "must-see" places in Boise?
You mean besides the Blue Turf? The stadium is open to the public for photos (check with The Athletic Office for more information).The Train Depot, it has some of the best views of the Boise Skyline, Foothills and The State Capital. A hike up Table Rock can always be fun if you are into that sort of thing.
What is your prediction for Saturday's game?
Boise 45 Toledo 9. I think The rockets will most likely have difficulty with the red zone defense and will settle for a few field goals.
Expectations are high in Boise, with the chance of playing in the BCS National Championship Game being floated around. This could be a recipe for overlooking opponents that are not in BCS AQ conferences, yet Boise State has outscored those opponents 110-6 so far this year. How has Coach Petersen been able to keep their focus up for these games when they are favored by large spreads?
Well lets start with "Expectations". Boise State does not expect to play in the BCS National Championship game. The players and coaching staff know it is not in their hands, so they have a philosophy of taking things one game at a time and letting the chips fall as they will. The Broncos may have overlooked teams in past years but this team - Not a chance. Coach Pete really puts an emphasis on the next game and the players all have bought in to this. As for why are they favored by such large margins? Success with large margins and the field of opponents warranting such margins.
Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore has put up "video game" like numbers the last couple of years. Has there been talk of him leaving early for the NFL?
If Boise State makes it to The Big Show, I would think that Kellen may explore his options. If they play in a lesser Bowl, them most likely not. I think he'll finish his collegiate career then move on to Sunday appearances.
What can Rocket fans expect from Boise State this Saturday?
The most aggressive team they have faced to date. They will strike fast and keep after it until it's time to bring in the bench. What can you expect from the bench? These are the future of the program and they are every bit as hungry and every bit as aggressive.
For the Rocket fans that are traveling to Boise for this game, what are the "must-see" places in Boise?
You mean besides the Blue Turf? The stadium is open to the public for photos (check with The Athletic Office for more information).The Train Depot, it has some of the best views of the Boise Skyline, Foothills and The State Capital. A hike up Table Rock can always be fun if you are into that sort of thing.
What is your prediction for Saturday's game?
Boise 45 Toledo 9. I think The rockets will most likely have difficulty with the red zone defense and will settle for a few field goals.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Boise State Rolls Out the Blue Carpet - Rockets Take on the Broncos
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)
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)
New Football Commitment
The University of Toledo football program has picked up their 5th commitment in the 2011 recruiting class. The homecoming atmosphere was enough for Kishon Wilcher of Cass Tech in Detroit, MI to give Coach Beckman and the Rockets his commitment. Wilcher (5-8, 154) is an athlete that could play wide receiver, running back, or defensive back. However, he is expected to be a defensive back at Toledo. He has 4.4 speed in the forty yard dash.
Wilcher was being recruited by such schools as Toledo, Howard, Ball State, Illinois, Iowa, Stanford, Syracuse, Cincinnati, and Eastern Michigan. His only offers at the time of his commitment were from Toledo and Howard. He is Toledo's 3rd commitment from the state of Michigan. Rivals.com has him rated as a 3 star prospect, while Scout.com has him rated 2 stars.
Wilcher was being recruited by such schools as Toledo, Howard, Ball State, Illinois, Iowa, Stanford, Syracuse, Cincinnati, and Eastern Michigan. His only offers at the time of his commitment were from Toledo and Howard. He is Toledo's 3rd commitment from the state of Michigan. Rivals.com has him rated as a 3 star prospect, while Scout.com has him rated 2 stars.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Homecoming Thoughts
When a football team loses, the blame ultimately rests on the coaching staff. Toledo's 20-15 lost to Wyoming last night was a game Toledo should have won. There were plenty of opportunities. However, our problem last night was not coaching.
If it was coaching, we would have never put Owens in and we would not have made the adjustments needed to come back from a 20-0 deficit in the 3rd quarter to have a couple of changes to win the game at the end.
I disagree with things I've heard people say, that the coaching staff can't get the team up for a game after a big win. The defense was ready to play last night, and they played well right from the start. Wyoming scored 17 of their 20 points because of either the offense/ST or trick plays. After the fumble they started at our 24 yard line. Can't really blame the defense for that. After the offense couldn't do anything deep in their own end and we had just a 30 yard punt from our own goal line, Wyoming scored on a reverse-pass trick play. Then after the defense gets a stop, Wyoming does a fake punt and gets in position to get a field goal. That's 17 points that you really can't blame the defense on.
Our problem was simply execution on offense. A snap snafu on the offense's opening drive that led to an easy TD is one example. Several dropped passes on throws that were right at the numbers. Penalties up the ying yang. And so on.
Dantin has been too inconsistent, but I would expect that from a young QB. Last night he just was very ineffective. Owens came in and would have led the team to victory if not for 3 or 4 dropped passes that should have been caught. One big one was on 4th down late in the game in Wyoming territory.
As bad as we played last night, we win this game if we just execute a little better on offense. 1 of 14 on 3rd down conversions and dropping a first down pass on a 4th down play in the 4th quarter, along with several other dropped passes. That's not coaching, nor play calling. That's a lack of execution. The coaches can't go out on the field and play the game for the players.
Maybe we've been given inflated aspirations of this team because of the three game winning streak on the road, but the facts remain. This is a young team. We beat three poor teams. We're a year away from being the favorite in the MAC West.
Ball State dominated Central Michigan yesterday. They were winning 31-3 and ended up with a 31-17 victory. I originally thought NIU and CMU were the class of the West Division, with us right behind in similar stature to WMU and maybe BSU. Now I really believe the West is NIU's for the taking, with us, CMU, and BSU in the 2nd tier. That doesn't mean we can't win the West this year, but we're not going to be expected to win it.
But this young Rocket team is going to be awfully good next year. I said it before the season started, I said it after the Ohio game, and I still believe it today. Don't give up on this team and coaching staff.
If it was coaching, we would have never put Owens in and we would not have made the adjustments needed to come back from a 20-0 deficit in the 3rd quarter to have a couple of changes to win the game at the end.
I disagree with things I've heard people say, that the coaching staff can't get the team up for a game after a big win. The defense was ready to play last night, and they played well right from the start. Wyoming scored 17 of their 20 points because of either the offense/ST or trick plays. After the fumble they started at our 24 yard line. Can't really blame the defense for that. After the offense couldn't do anything deep in their own end and we had just a 30 yard punt from our own goal line, Wyoming scored on a reverse-pass trick play. Then after the defense gets a stop, Wyoming does a fake punt and gets in position to get a field goal. That's 17 points that you really can't blame the defense on.
Our problem was simply execution on offense. A snap snafu on the offense's opening drive that led to an easy TD is one example. Several dropped passes on throws that were right at the numbers. Penalties up the ying yang. And so on.
Dantin has been too inconsistent, but I would expect that from a young QB. Last night he just was very ineffective. Owens came in and would have led the team to victory if not for 3 or 4 dropped passes that should have been caught. One big one was on 4th down late in the game in Wyoming territory.
As bad as we played last night, we win this game if we just execute a little better on offense. 1 of 14 on 3rd down conversions and dropping a first down pass on a 4th down play in the 4th quarter, along with several other dropped passes. That's not coaching, nor play calling. That's a lack of execution. The coaches can't go out on the field and play the game for the players.
Maybe we've been given inflated aspirations of this team because of the three game winning streak on the road, but the facts remain. This is a young team. We beat three poor teams. We're a year away from being the favorite in the MAC West.
Ball State dominated Central Michigan yesterday. They were winning 31-3 and ended up with a 31-17 victory. I originally thought NIU and CMU were the class of the West Division, with us right behind in similar stature to WMU and maybe BSU. Now I really believe the West is NIU's for the taking, with us, CMU, and BSU in the 2nd tier. That doesn't mean we can't win the West this year, but we're not going to be expected to win it.
But this young Rocket team is going to be awfully good next year. I said it before the season started, I said it after the Ohio game, and I still believe it today. Don't give up on this team and coaching staff.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Homecoming Time and Hoops Update
The Rocket football team hosts Wyoming tomorrow night at 7:00pm in Toledo's homecoming game. Wyoming head coach Dave Christiansen was an assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Toledo when Gary Pinkel was the Rocket head coach. Also, Wyoming offensive line coach Jim Harding played football for Toledo, on the offensive line.
Toledo (3-1, 2-0) is a 3.5 point favorite, the first time this season they have been favored to win a game. Between 80-100 high school football prospects are expected to attend the game. Senior defensive end Alex Johnson and junior kicker Ryan Casano will both miss the Wyoming game with injuries. Casano is likely out for the rest of the season, while Johnson may be able to come back later in the year if his rehabilitation goes well.
After the Wyoming game, Toledo will turn their attention to the Boise State Broncos, for a match up with them in Boise, Idaho the following Saturday. After that Toledo has six regular season games remaining on the schedule, all conference games. Four of those six games will be at home.
The Rocket men's basketball program begins practices in two weeks. Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk is in his first season at Toledo. A brand new "Coach K" website, similar to football head coach Tim Beckman's site, will be unveiled in mid-October.
The Rockets open the season at home against Siena Heights in an exhibition game on October 30th. They will then host UM-Dearborn in another exhibition game on November 3rd, before opening the regular season in Champaign, IL against the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 10th.
Toledo (3-1, 2-0) is a 3.5 point favorite, the first time this season they have been favored to win a game. Between 80-100 high school football prospects are expected to attend the game. Senior defensive end Alex Johnson and junior kicker Ryan Casano will both miss the Wyoming game with injuries. Casano is likely out for the rest of the season, while Johnson may be able to come back later in the year if his rehabilitation goes well.
After the Wyoming game, Toledo will turn their attention to the Boise State Broncos, for a match up with them in Boise, Idaho the following Saturday. After that Toledo has six regular season games remaining on the schedule, all conference games. Four of those six games will be at home.
The Rocket men's basketball program begins practices in two weeks. Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk is in his first season at Toledo. A brand new "Coach K" website, similar to football head coach Tim Beckman's site, will be unveiled in mid-October.
The Rockets open the season at home against Siena Heights in an exhibition game on October 30th. They will then host UM-Dearborn in another exhibition game on November 3rd, before opening the regular season in Champaign, IL against the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 10th.
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