Game balls for Boise State versus Idaho
by Kevan Lee on Nov 16, 2009 8:09 AM PST
in Boise State football
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PrintThe Broncos easily handled the Vandals on Saturday in one of the team's best games all season long. Which players, plays, and performances were worthy of game balls? I hand out some hardware after the jump, and you're invited to share your own awards in the comments.
Reader choice award for player of the game
By an overwhelming margin, you readers voted Pettis as the player of the game. His four TD grabs, several amazing catches, and all-around effort were legendary, and they'll rightfully go down in the history of the Idaho-Boise State rivalry as one of the best individual performances.
The amazing thing about the game, as many readers have pointed out, is that there could have been 15 or 20 player of the game candidates from the Bronco win. It was the most complete performance to date for this Bronco team, and everyone on both sides of the ball deserves credit.
Best supporting player who may be present at the Heisman ceremony
Oh yeah, Moore threw five TD passes and may be the greatest Bronco quarterback of all-time, which is saying something.
This week's game balls brought to you by the number...
Seven
Because I like rubbing it in the Vandals' faces, here is a recap of the 7 turnovers forced by the Broncos on Saturday.
- Brian Reader fumble recovered by Aaron Tevis. On Idaho's opening drive, the Broncos came with a 3-3-5 blitz on third down, sending George Iloka at the QB for one of the few times all season. It worked as Reader stepped up in the pocket, dropped the ball, and opened the floodgates to a Bronco rout.
- Derrell Acrey interception. I have no idea what happened on this play because the power was out. Some help?
- Aaron Tevis interception. Tevis made a diving grab of a Reader throw under pressure from Winston Venable.The Vandals had just entered Boise State's side of the field, trailing 35-10.
- Kyle Wilson interception. Reader tried for a big play down the near sideline, but the pass was off the mark, Wilson was reading the QB, and it was "Party in the end zone!" just like that.
- Brandyn Thompson interception. Again, Reader tried the near side with almost identical results. A wayward pass was picked by Thompson.
- Brandyn Thompson interception. Reader tried for a deep ball into double coverage that was easily picked by Thompson.
- Byron Hout forced fumble and fumble recovery. Hout stripped DeMaundray Woolridge with the Vandals headed in for a score midway through the fourth quarter. This was the infamous challenge call by Coach Pete, which really wasn't that egregious at all. The fumble was obvious and should have been an automatic booth review anyway. The fumble prevented the Vandals from scoring points; Coach Pete couldn't help but keep those points off the board. What exactly did Idaho fans expect?
via homecontrolsblog.files.wordpress.com
Bob Vila award for quick fixes
Boise State's red zone TD efficiency
Two weekends ago, the Broncos were downright anemic in the red zone, struggling mightily against Louisiana Tech. Saturday against the Vandals? Cake. The Broncos went 5-for-5 on red zone TDs, and they did so in one very effective way.
- Throw the ball to Austin Pettis. His four TDs all occurred in the red zone.
Pettis snagged a jump ball for the game's opening TD, and the Bronco offense never looked back. Does that make Kellen Moore's QB sneak sweep conversion on 3rd and 1 from inside the 10 on the opening drive the most important play of the game? Perhaps. But I'd say it's this ...
Play of the game
Titus Young's KO return for a TD
I mentioned it in the game recap, but it bears repeating. Young's kickoff return TD kept the game from becoming a Louisiana Tech redux, and took away any hope the Vandals had of a comeback. Three cheers for emotionally-deflating TDs.
As reported in many places, Young was goaded out of the end zone by Doug Martin who recalls the event like so:
"I realized there were 27 seconds left," Martin said, "and figured, 'What the heck?' "
Martin became the lead blocker and wiped out an Idaho defender.
"I had to at least make sure he got to the 20," Martin said.
Done and done.
And for the record, how long do you think Young's return actually was? Reports list it at 107 yards. I say 108. You?
Linebacker of the game
(tie) Derrell Acrey, Aaron Tevis
Acrey got his first start at LB since the Fresno State game, and he made the most of it, finishing with four tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup. Is Acrey finally ready to make good on the potential that he flashed when the Broncos recruited him?
Tevis was solid, too, and he flashed more of the Colt Brooks-like skills that Bronco fans love. Tevis recorded the first turnover of the day when he fell on a Brian Reader fumble (anyone else think that George Iloka should get credit for knocking it loose?). Later, Tevis made a diving grab of a wobbly Brian Reader pass, made wobbly by Winston Venable smiting Reader on a blitz. Tevis finished with three tackles, a tackle for loss, a fumble recovery, and an interception. Not bad.
Too much offensive freedom award
Brian Reader audibles
With all-too-often regularity, Idaho QB Brian Reader enjoyed full autonomy at the line of scrimmage, and that can only end badly. For some reason, the Vandals let Reader change plays at the line as often as he wanted. For the record, Reader was making his second D1-A start of his life and was in the midst of a six-turnover day.
Lesson learned: Keep Brian Reader on a short leash at all times. A leash like this one:
Worst call by an official
(tie) Kirby Moore's phantom holding call, non-call on one of many late hits on Kellen Moore
Did Saturday's officiating crew have a vendetta against the Moore family? Kirby's holding call wiped out a thrilling almost-TD run by Doug Martin in which he angered his way through a couple tackles, spun away from defenders, and scooted down the sideline for a dive at the end zone. But wait. An official saw Kirby on the field and automatically assumed that he was probably holding someone.
In the land of non-calls was the head referee who repeatedly turned a blind eye to late hits, low hits, and illegal hits on Kellen Moore all game long. It was obvious that the Vandals wanted to get pressure on Moore, hit him, and make him uncomfortable - within the rules or not. And apparently those rules are relative if you're officiating a WAC game.
Technical awards
- Why, God? Why? award: The Mitch Burroughs Experience. Burroughs was back to his WR antics on Saturday, dropping an easy screen pass and showing up as the fly sweep fake in the Wild Avery formation.
- Least effective defensive strategy: Idaho blitzes. The Vandals came after Moore all game long. And the Broncos scored 63 points.
- Worst playcall of the game: Brian Reader naked bootleg. In the second quarter, the Vandals sent Reader on his lonesome around the right edge where he was picked up and slammed to the ground by Jeron Johnson and Aaron Tevis.
- Motivational ploy of the week: Threatening the starting spots for Bronco offensive linemen. Boise State's offensive line remained in tact, and they looked much improved from a week prior.
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Officials
I call for game suspensions!! There will be no late hits on Kellen Moore!! Officials better wise up around here.
by P Townfootball is BSU *** on Nov 16, 2009 8:30 AM PST reply actions
totally agree
esp when they called a bs head shot by aCrey that led to Vandal td.Vandals had no calls against them unitl game was iced
tvmunson
I would like to see a video of the Acrey hit.
There was no flag thrown on the play. Acrey breaks up the play and then seconds later two officials get together, one pointing at his chin. Then they walk over to the ‘white hat’, talk and then finally drop the flag. The JumboTron never replayed the play at the stadium.
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
I saw it replaye don tv and once from the back o fthe endzone
it wa stotally clean. acrey kept his body symmetrical. there wa sliterally no ther way to mke the hit and he did not lead with helmet. Your pos tpisses me off even more. OK i get it;we’re calling tight. Only they werent. I’m pretty sure vandals had no calls in 1st half and there was all sorts od holding. No calls until game iced. And to no tcall on km-you dont call tight one way and that was what was going on
tvmunson
Acrey
D-Ake’s pic was a cross route right in front of him, the pass hit the idaho guy in the hands, but he bobbled it and Acrey just grabbed it from his bread-basket. Is that the interception you are talking about. I think it was the second turnover that led to our second touchdown.
by BSUTHROWBALLFOREVER on Nov 16, 2009 8:55 AM PST reply actions
That's the one
Thanks, BSUTHROWBALL. Sounds like a classic case of Vandal ineptitude. I’m sad I missed it.
"Only film the ones that are standing, Kenneth." - Tony Perkis
wow.
i love when acrey is on the field. he just looks like a beast of a football player and a stud linebacker. and all the leading with the helmet calls are really gettin on my nerves. your head is inbetween you arms which are used to tackle. you should be leading with your helmet every time. i understand on the qb and some obvious ones but really.
hahah i hate those leashes they put on kids. pay attention to them and they wont run off.
Titus Young TD
Does anyone have video of this? I missed it due to the power outage. I feel lost without being able to see it. Help
KTVB Highlights
There is a field level view of the play in these highlights
http://www.ktvb.com/sports/No-6-Broncos-crush-Idaho-63-25-in-rivalry-game-70116807.html
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
Excellent as always Kevan.
For me, the game came down to:
O-line – run game worked
Defense – SEVEN turnovers???
Austin Pettis – is not human
Red Zone – perfection
The boys went out and played like the #6 team in the nation. They played up and they played big. It was amazing to watch.
"After chasing sunsets, one of life's simple joys is playing with the boys." - Top Gun
you may disagree
but for my $ the turning point/momentum play came on our 3rd and long after the Vandals had made it 21-10. If they had gotten a stop there, with the way they were running… KM’s throw is high but Ausitn hits it it pops up he comes down with it for a 1st. You could see the Vandlas kinda going “sh….” Made anothe rcatch right afte rand we went on to make it 28-10. I somehow thin that play drove home the point that this is our field, our game, our day. But there were lots. Its great to watch a beat down o fa team you hate, allowing you to sit with the calm confidence of a Christian with 4 Aces(Twain) and lap up all the gravy.
tvmunson
Good one, munson
That was a big play, indeed. I had forgotten about that one. Those plays that extend drives are often forgotten in the grand scheme of things, but that one was huge. Also, I think the pass was headed for an INT if Pettis hadn’t grabbed it?
"Only film the ones that are standing, Kenneth." - Tony Perkis
Not sure re int
but recall that Vandals after giving up 2 td’s red zone style ha dcome back. I think i tmay have been 3rd and 9; it was long. My sphincter had disappeared like a black hole running attack. I was starting to get that eeirie presentiment that says the karma gods are rubbing their hands together. When he makes that catch-you could feel it. Thsi is OURS. tThen he makes that other insane catch that made me want to put on a dress and marry him(ooops-too far). But that was augmentation;Vandal D wanted that 3rd and long BAD. I have been refelcting OBNUG about Pettis now that he’s broken Hutt/Holton record(with Moore to come(intentional munson that)) I may, with your kind permission, do a GAZETTA about how Pettis compares to not only Don but Terry Hutt ,Jon Youngblood maybe others. Holton doesnt fit with Pettis; like Young he was plain fast but smaller than Young(and not as fast for my $).
tvmunson
Kirby call?late hits
Kirby cal; he was only pushing and I’ve seen my sister push harder at a garage sale. KM hits; well they sai dthey were going to call 2 things tight-helmet to helmet and qb hits. They called a totally bogus, gameaffectin helmet on acrey which if that;s a penalty let’s get on our tutus and line up at the ballett barre. and the let them do that to our qb-Coach Pet e ought to get some on this.
tvmunson
If there was any holding at all.
I mean, how can you call a hold for the defender wanting to get away from the play?! If anything, he should have been flagged for keeping the defender involved and wetting himself when he saw Doug “Smash” coming his way.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
it sounds like were rooting for..
Cincinnati to beat pitt to get them off our tail. GT to win the ACC. Oklahoma to beat Ok St.
anything else to hope happens?? for out chances at the BCS.. besides the obvious.
Observations
The ’If It Works, Keep Doing It" Award for play calling
The bubble screen. Be it to Young or Shoe or whoever… they would take that ball and go for at least 20 every time they ran it. It was fun to see TY running free through the secondary.
The “Intent To Injure” Award
Watch that video above. You can kinda see the following. At the 1:06 mark, Moore is back to pass and the Idaho defender comes off the left edge. Watch what he does. He is still too far from Kellen as he passes, so instead, he dives at Kellen’s knees.
I thought that was the worst of the shots on Moore.
The “108 Yard Play” Award
Titus Young. It was 108. He caught it directly in front of me. Saw the whole thing. Too bad NCAA doesn’t count those extra yards.
All in all, this game was just what the doctor ordered for me. It scratched me right where I itched. Whichever colloquialism you wanna use… I have a little more spring in my step again. Funny how that works.
I have attended every home Boise State football game since 1992.
I agree
It was 108.
He caught it at the very back of the letters which has be be at least 108 yards. I was surprised to see Martin begin to tell him to hold up. I would have thought the plan coming out would be to return it regardless. Much more can happen on the return than a couple of passing plays from the 20.
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
I also agree it was 108
I was standing there at the rail in the north end zone and Titus was literally right in front of me.
"Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish."
Couldn't agree more about that Kellen Moore hit
It was ugly and dangerous and could have ended his season very easily. It was tough to catch live, but the replay was scary. That was close to being real bad.
You and your wife survived the weekend? Now back to wedded bliss, I hope.
"Only film the ones that are standing, Kenneth." - Tony Perkis
Hmmm...
Now back to wedded bliss, I hope.
Don’t tell me that actually exists. :)
"I'd rather be a smartass than a dumbass."
All is right with the world
She didn’t honestly expect to win. I broke out the age old “if you can’t say something nice…” routine and everyone survived.
We tailgated together. We froze in the stands together. She started mixing it up a little bit with an obnoxious Bronco fan behind her. Good times.
I have attended every home Boise State football game since 1992.
by JasonHaberman on Nov 16, 2009 12:36 PM PST up reply actions
I didn't escape the weekend without hearing a bunch of dumb comments from Vandal acquaintances
The best one was the “we beat ourselves…no way Boise State is a top ten team” routine.
If they would have won they would have been shouting from the rooftops that they’d beaten a top ten team…but in defeat, I guess it somehow makes it better to have lost to a mediocre team by 38 points. Only in the bizarro Vandal world, where down is up and Akey is a good coach.
by Drew Roberts on Nov 16, 2009 1:03 PM PST up reply actions
Seinfeld loved Superman so its kinda both
Good point about the idiotic Vandal stance. What point is there in denigrating a team that killed you? Must be the water- Spokesman Review’er must drink bottled.
tvmunson
Argh
The best one was the "we beat ourselves…no way Boise State is a top ten team" routine.
They beat themselves? When Hout ripped the ball right out of Woolridges’ hands they beat themselves? Brandyn Thompson yanked the ball away from the receiver for his second interception. Was that the Vandals beating themselves? Boise State dominating the line of scrimmage. Titus returns a kick for 108 yards. We could go on and on.
They didn’t beat themselves. Boise was more aggressive, they wanted it more, and they’re plain old better.
I hate that ridiculous argument.
"Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish."
That video above
ROCKS. I didn’t watch it this morning, but I tell ya, I could watch that ALL DAY LONG and still find it enjoyable.
"After chasing sunsets, one of life's simple joys is playing with the boys." - Top Gun
Screens
I commented to wife that “I had never seen so many screen plays work in a football game.” And that meant any football game. If Utah State wants film, they better be looking at the screens.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
A Bronco observer since '68
that ha sto be the longest td in that stadium for sure. Closest one was against us in "76 strangely enough by Vandals. Criner’s debut as a head coach; has family there; opening kickoff. Vandal took it 3-4 yards in to the house. No one else who ever took it out form anywhere near as deep until TY><
tvmunson
OH NO! YOU SUCK AGAIN!
Best sign ever?
by graybandit on Nov 16, 2009 9:47 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Yeah that was awesome!
That was down below where I was sitting in the SEZ.
I hate everyone equally...especially Vandals!
I give it a close second to my Tom Scott tribute sign.
But I’m biased.
And supremely self-serving.
Boise State - The best in all the land (The "land" being Idaho, and large parts of California, Oregon, and Nevada.)
Best Sign
Remember “TIRED OF LOSING? CALL 1 800 BIG SKY” from 2007?
by P Townfootball is BSU *** on Nov 16, 2009 2:07 PM PST up reply actions
Sign in parking lot
A Bsu fan walked around with a sign that read:
You can’t spell
P _ SS_IES
without
U I
I saw several people stop to take pictures with the dude. It was classic!
After further review...
That first Pettis TD was incredible. You simply cannot defend that guy. You could pretty much take whichever DB is covering AP and stamp an “EPIC FAIL” on his forehead (this includes DBs he hasn’t played against yet)
Down in the red zone you can try to take away the fade or the skinny post/slant. You cannot take away both and there is no guarantee that he won’t beat you even though you try to take that particular route away. I have a feeling that Pettis and Moore are likely reading whatever DB is defending him with an option to run whichever route is the easiest. What impresses me is that they are so in tune with eachother that you don’t see AP run one route and KM throw to the other. They have quite connection between the two of them (pun intended).
oops
Excuse all the bold. It was unintentional.
Personally
I like the slant much better. Pettis does a great job of getting in front of the defender making himself an easy target. I think it’s an easier throw for Kellen too since it doesn’t require much touch and he can always miss high with Pettis.
But the fade route is so pretty…
and they hit them with both making your point
I LIKE THE BOLD: i READ IT MORE CAREFULLY AND IT HAD ADDED GRAVITAS. I WISH I KNEW HOW IT WAS DONE SO I WOULDNT HAVE TO SETTLE FOR CAPITALIZING WHICH I DO UNINTENTIONALLY MOST FO THE ITME.
tvmunson
3 mins 28 seconds
Into that video was one of the best catches I’ve seen. He never even had to secure the ball with both hands. I thought for sure that would be one of the 10 best catches of the weekend. I guess it didn’t make the cut.
We need to make I <3 AP buttons.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
Burroughs??
I agree completely with your take on Mitch B. I’ve never been a FB coach or an evaluator of talent, but what the hell does the coaching staff see in this guy?? He’s slow, has been inconsistent in catching the ball, and has yet to make a play of any significance all season. I don’t count his TD catch vs. the Spartans; he almost dropped that pass, which my border collie could have grabbed if given the chance. I hate to bust on any Bronco player, but watching him play is more painful than shoving a rusty nail up my butt!!
TB- I may know why Burroughs is used
I watched all the scrimmages I could .#20 was “sick” as I understand that term to be used in the common parlance. He caught everything,made good cuts, and while not fast had what appeared to be the “knack” for getting open. Either he simply is one o fthose guys who “leaves his fight in the gym”(Iona Key) or his lack o fsuccess has gottrn into his head Brotzman-like. Yes, we should have compassion.But fo rall of us,everywhere, performance counts. His has not been up to the level one sees form everyone else. By the way, liked your finish and hope the current parameters of our discourse didacticism allows this type of comment to fall within its penumbra.
tvmunson
Get your tetanus shot.
So, is it gameday jitters? You would think if that’s the case, you wouldn’t give him a pass on it. You HAVE to show up on gameday.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
Thanks!
Thanks for the insight regarding Mitch B.‘s practice and scrimmage performances. As you stated, he definitely needs to star showing up at gametime. I’m not sure why Potter isn’t being used in that spot; he seems to be faster, more elusive, with better hands. Also, I think my IQ went up a few points just by reading your last sentence. Excellent use of the English language!
The video rocks, love Metallica
And the timing is perfect when it goes into the breakdown for TY’s TD return.
Mariners/D Broncos/BSU Broncos fan in Seattle
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Georgia
|
Sat 09/03 | W 35 - 21 |
| @ Toledo | Fri 09/16 | W 40 - 15 |
| Tulsa | Sat 09/24 | W 41 - 21 |
| Nevada | Sat 10/01 | W 30 - 10 |
| @ Fresno St. | Fri 10/07 | W 57 - 7 |
| @ Colorado St. | Sat 10/15 | W 63 - 13 |
| Air Force | Sat 10/22 | W 37 - 26 |
| @ UNLV | Sat 11/05 | W 48 - 21 |
|
TCU
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Sat 11/12 | L 35 - 36 |
| @ San Diego St. | Sat 11/19 | W 52 - 35 |
|
Wyoming
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Sat 11/26 | W 36 - 14 |
| New Mexico | Sat 12/03 | W 45 - 0 |
|
Arizona St.
|
Thu 12/22 | W 56 - 24 |
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