Game balls for Boise State versus Hawaii
Boise State cruised past Hawaii 54-9, thanks to solid efforts in all three phases of the game. What stood out the most from the Broncos' big win on the islands? I'll weigh in with my game balls after the jump, and feel free to add yours in the comments.
Reader's choice award for player of the game
Moore was very un-Taylor-Tharp-like in his dissection of the Warrior secondary. His five passing touchdowns were a career high, and he went sans turnover for the fourth time in seven games. It's very hard to beat the Broncos when Kellen Moore is on his game, and he was most definitely on his game Saturday night. Should the Broncos end up in the Hawaii Bowl, I will be significantly less worried than I was last time.
Runner-up for player of the game
While Kellen Moore took nearly half of the reader votes, Kaiserman was a pleasant surprise at No. 2. The grayshirt, redshirt, concussed running back looked healthy and happy running over and through Hawaii defenders to the tune of 122 yards and a touchdown. He outrushed the entire Hawaii team, and he did so in 35 minutes of work (his first carry came at the 5:00-minute mark of the 2nd quarter). That's downright Jeremy Avery production. Or Doug Martin production. Or D.J. Harper production. Or ... Brock Forsey production? How about we just say that Kaiserman fits in well with the Bronco backfield and leave it at that?
Award for eating a chalupa and then falling down the stairs
Hawaii's QB excused himself late in the first quarter with a head injury following a sack by Billy Winn. Oh, but the chalupa was so good for awhile there!
Best fake punt
I am not surprised that the Broncos pulled off a perfectly executed fake punt, but I am surprised that Kyle Brotzman throws the ball better than several WAC quarterbacks. On fourth and four, Brotzman completed a strike downfield to a wide open Jason Robinson who escaped out of the left side of the formation with the roll right playfake. A 28-yard pass on fourth and four? What a call. I love fake punts so much I should probably marry them.
Take away Brotzman's missed field goals this year, and is the 2009 Bronco special teams the best ever?
Best one-yard punt
Hawaii's Alex Dunnachie
Yikes. That thing was ugly. But considering that it lead to zero Bronco points, perhaps Dunnachie knew what he was doing all along.
Coordinator award for excellence in the field of coordinating
Justin Wilcox and Bryan Harsin
Wilcox's gameplan involved Jeron Johnson sitting back in a centerfield position, breaking up lazy long bombs by the Warrior QBs. Did it work? I'd say so. Johnson's two picks came as a direct result of his staying on top of deep receivers, and Wilcox's other mad scientist schemes (Venable in man-to-man, focus on turnovers) worked to perfection.
Harsin's contribution to the win was a little less overt but just as important. Believe it or not, but the Boise State offense did not convert a third down until the second quarter. The game really started turning when Harsin called Titus Young's number on a couple of short passes that got the offense going. That drive ended in a TY touchdown, and the rest is history.
Most Heisman-like numbers
Kellen Moore
Since the BCS axis of evil has robbed Bronco fans with hopes and dreams of a fair world, we may as well turn our attention to the not-yet-disappointing Moore for Heisman campaign. Update: The nation's No. 1 passer threw for 223 yards, five touchdowns, and no picks as his team stayed undefeated and in the Top Ten.
Don't you dare even tell me that Moore has no chance because he plays on a non-BCS team and is only a sophomore. Don't you take this from me. I need this.
Player who could have rushed for 122 yards if he wanted to
(tie) Jeremy Avery, Doug Martin, Jarvis Hodge, Michael Coughlin, Jimmy Pavel
Taking nothing away from Kaiserman's spirited rushing, the Bronco offensive line was downright moving people on Saturday night. The holes were big, and Kaiserman took full advantage. It was a good night to be a healthy Bronco running back not named Jeremy Avery.
Runner-up: Brock Forsey
Game-changing play
Jeron Johnson's end zone INT
Though it might not be remembered as such, Johnson's INT in the Hawaii end zone might have been the game's biggest play. Following a one-play Bronco TD drive off a turnover that made the score 17-0, Hawaii marched down the field with fourth-string QB Shane Austin all the way to the Bronco 14-yard-line. A score here would have kept the game close and given Hawaii some much-needed momentum. Instead, Johnson stepped in front of an Austin pass, the Broncos took the ensuing possession and went 80 yards in five plays for the score. What could have been a 17-7 game, turned into a 24-0 game, and Boise State never looked back.
Suspicious bad trend that could sink the Broncos at some point
Third down conversions
Boise State was only 3-for-13 on third down conversions and all three came on the legs of Matt Kaiserman. Better add that to the to-do list, under the giant, Sharpie scribble "BAD SNAPS ARGGGGG!!!"
Your turn
What performances, players, or plays stood out to you in Boise State's win over Hawaii? Did you love the announcing? Did you love the defense? Think Boise State can beat anyone when they play like this? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
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43 comments
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Comments
Great analysis, Kevan
Let me just say this and get it out of the way.
If Boise State goes undefeated and is left out of the BCS party for the 3rd time in 4 attempts…I will…well, has anyone seen that movie Falling Down with Michael Douglas?
I will probably be forced to watch that.
Why was BYU even ranked in the first place? How does that entitle TCU to jump the Broncos?
Their win over OU is looking less impressive every week and getting blown away by FSU should mean a season long banishment from the top 25. Bottom line: a win at BYU is not as impressive as beating Oregon.
That being said, TCU looked good. I know one of us will end up in the BCS, but damn I would love a shot at those guys.
And don’t even get me started on Iowa jumping us as well. I know it really doesn’t affect us (TCU is the only team that can alter Boise St’s post season), but IOWA?!? The computers have Iowa ranked #1. Let me say that again and this time with the caps lock on and lots of exclamation points: THE COMPUTERS HAVE IOWA RANKED #1!!! The same Iowa that needed 2 blocked FGs to beat N. Iowa AT HOME! The same Iowa that beat Ak St by 3 AT HOME! The same Iowa that needed a touchdown with no time left to beat UNRANKED Mich ST!
Maybe it’s just me, but I’m beginning to think this whole BCS thing isn’t on the up-and-up. Excuse me, I am now going to never stop vomiting.
by MooreWalksOnWater on Oct 26, 2009 8:26 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Highly unlikely,
but don’t forget Notre Dame. They could snaffu our BCS chances as well… as ugly as it sounds.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
The snaps...
…seriously left a bad taste in my mouth. I mean, really bad. Like I-couldn’t-even-enjoy-a-42-point-victory bad.
The one that took the cake, was the one… late 3rd or early 4th… I believe Kellen was under center. (of course, my memory was a bit hazed since it was quite late and I never left the couch for 16+ hours of football). Anyways, the ball was snapped, and it somehow went OUTSIDE of Kellen’s left leg. How is that even possible??
I don’t think I have seen as many bad snaps in an entire season as we did Saturday night. I don’t know what the fix is, but they damn well better work on it. I mean, the snap is the basis for the entire game of football. It is the only thing done on every single play of every single game in the history of the sport. Top 10 teams should at least be able to accomplish that, yes?
Ok… deep breaths… I’m getting myself all worked up again…
I have attended every home Boise State football game since 1992.
JHabes, I feel you.
Bad snaps are ridiculous. Especially at this point in the season. I’m glad I wasn’t able to watch the game for that reason.
My 8 year old son is the center on his football team (They pad up and tackle at age 5 in the south, I LOVE IT!!). And he had less of a problem this year than the Broncos. And we split half and half, running the Wildcat and under center with 3rd and 4th graders!!
It’s beyond me at this point.
Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)
The snap you are referring to took place at 8:30 ofthe 3rd and it was the worst snap in the history of football. Period.
Serenity now. Serenity now.
by MooreWalksOnWater on Oct 26, 2009 10:18 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't know...
I think the one that lead to the safety was pretty bad too.
Catch me on the BroncoNation Podcast!
by OBNUG Intern on Oct 26, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Its like they are putting crisco on the ball. At times we really look like a top 5 team but when you make Jr. High mistakes constantly this late in the season it starts to become flat out embaressing.
"I think I know what you guys are trying to say.....We need to build a space helicopter." Nathan Explosion
by forseyfan36 on Oct 26, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions
I’ve seen a shotgun snap go over a QBs head before. I’ve never seen a snap go DIRECTLY left.
by MooreWalksOnWater on Oct 26, 2009 11:16 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
That is true
I thought it was pretty funny how after on botched snap, both Tom Slant and Marky-Mark came to a consensus that it was planned. It clearly was not. Just another crappy snap. Byrd and Pendergast need to get it together!
Catch me on the BroncoNation Podcast!
by OBNUG Intern on Oct 26, 2009 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
rec'd for this,
Tom Slant and Marky-Mark
I love it!
Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)
Hold on Intern...
You can’t pass off the blame for this one. Those of us who were there know what really happened!
by DRD The Man on Oct 26, 2009 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Here's one to make up for that

Catch me on the BroncoNation Podcast!
by OBNUG Intern on Oct 26, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
All is forgiven.
Game ball to the Intern for making us all hungry. Serving turnovers as fast as the Bronco D could force ’em
You know it's bad ...
… when the center immediately turns around and starts chasing the ball.
I’m laughing so I won’t cry.
"I eat success for breakfast - with skim milk!" - Tony Perkis
maybe we SHOULD make them planned plays.
Fumblerooskie, Boise style.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
Here's my question:
Has Thomas Byrd had a Zabransky-like regression? He wasn’t this bad last season, was he?
"I eat success for breakfast - with skim milk!" - Tony Perkis
More like Ian-like regression.
Still good enough to perform, just not the awesomeness that’s usually expected.
by CaptainBronco on Oct 26, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Obviously not...
T-Byrd was on the Rimington watch list after his Frosh campaign. Now he looks like he is trying to snap with a catcher’s mitt on.
by Drew Roberts on Oct 26, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions
During my HS years I was a center on offense and an ILB on defense (gotta love iron man football in Idaho). Anyway, I was not exactly fast but very quick, especially with my first couple of steps. During fall practice we had some issues with the center/quarterback exchange because when the QB hit the snap call I was both moving to my block and snapping the ball at the same time. The coaches didn’t want to slow me down because they liked that I was quick to my blocks. The decision was to have the QB step forward with me at the snap so that we were still in position. This resolve our exchange problems and we had very few, if any, in games during the season.
I don’t know if this has anything to do with what is going on with the Broncos but it certainly has me wondering as I know that both Byrd and Pendergrast are pretty quick of the ball. It is something to think about at the very least.
by Mountngrown on Oct 26, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Come to think of it ...
… ever notice how Kellen is almost leaning back sometimes when he receives shotgun snaps? I wonder if he’s pulling out faster than before, too. It could be the perfect storm of everything that could go wrong with a snap going wrong at the same time.
"I eat success for breakfast - with skim milk!" - Tony Perkis
Just happy
I guess I am just happy they finaly blew another team out. The snaps have to be fixed. At some point that will really cost us a game if they don’t get it figured out. I hate that Iowa barely beats Sparty ( a game I watched ) and they jump us. That could be the most retarded thing of the weekend. We would absolutly kill everyteam in the BIG 10 this year. What a joke confrence. I can only hope we play those posers in the Fiesta Bowl and we beat them by 50.
"I think I know what you guys are trying to say.....We need to build a space helicopter." Nathan Explosion
Hawaii's gameplan
I thought Hawaii should have game-planned better. Of course, you want the win, but they should have geared up their defense to stop big plays, make Boise run on the ground, using the clock moore.
I’m not sure they could have done too much, but were I a Warrior fan, I’d be looking at those coaches and wonder what they were thinking trying to run a regular game plan vs. Boise.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
on the plus side
Lots of good gang tackling al arounc incl special teams. Venables’ hit to cause the fumbel-jus tbefore it he wa send-for-ended, literally flat out on his back, got up and stuck his head into the guy causing the fumble.
tvmunson
Bacon
Bacon was in a lot. I know-he hasnt lived up to expectaions. But I did see him double teamed a coupel of times in the frist 1/2 and in the second he forced a pass high. I think he is having trouble getting into game-speed. Koontz is listed at 254;looks a lot heavier(maybe th ewhite unis?nah). Ditto Grimes who they list at 271.
tvmunson
Game announcers poor execution
I was starting to get all excited when they announced that Shea McCellin was lining up as running back, until they showed a clear image of Kaiserman who was notably smaller, slimmer, and most importantly had a different jersey number than McCellin. Then whats-his-face-idiot-announcer proceeded to talk for the next five minutes about Shea’s running. Finally the other slightly-less-retarded announcer corrected him. then idiot-announcer proceeded to talk about Kaiserman-Forsey comparisons the rest of the game. I wanted to punch him through my TV. I can’t believe these guys get paid for such poor game announcing. I should consider a career change.
To the announcers' credit ...
… they’re all white guys. I, for one, totally thought that was Chase Baker taking snaps for a good quarter or so.
"I eat success for breakfast - with skim milk!" - Tony Perkis
That is true
we all do kinda look alike.
Catch me on the BroncoNation Podcast!
by OBNUG Intern on Oct 26, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Another obstical
Those darn helmets are all painted the same. How are you supposed to tell people apart?
"I think I know what you guys are trying to say.....We need to build a space helicopter." Nathan Explosion
yeah
they should come up with some way to identify players from each other from a distance. Like numbers on their jerseys or something.
by CaptainBronco on Oct 26, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Or
maybe put their names on their backs.
Catch me on the BroncoNation Podcast!
by OBNUG Intern on Oct 26, 2009 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
It could be worse

yes, there are names on the back of those jerseys…
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
I noticed that, just barley though.
Clear as mud!
Catch me on the BroncoNation Podcast!
by OBNUG Intern on Oct 26, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I would hate to be your TV
Poor thing gets the brunt of your rage, good thing TV’s don’t have feelings, cuz your’s would have hanged it self with the RCA cords.
Catch me on the BroncoNation Podcast!
by OBNUG Intern on Oct 26, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't worry
there were no TV’s, monitors, or other football viewing devices harmed in the watching of this game.
by CaptainBronco on Oct 26, 2009 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Poor Paul J....
Gets pulled from the radio gig because BSU doesn’t like that he gaffed some play calling, despite being a true passionate Bronco fan, and yet we get this sort of crap on TV (which is supposed to be a better medium that radio, right?)
by Cougarflounder on Oct 26, 2009 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Right before
Brotazman’s pass to Robinson announcers were saying Broncos )were in wrong field position and )had wrong personnel for gadget.
tvmunson
Thankfully the announcers aren't coaches.
Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)
Can we ditch the "New U Rising" commercial - pleeeeze?
Enough already – Sounds like a trip to the chalkboard. The dog starts howling when comes on! Its… pathetic!

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