Boise State injury report: Broncos one of college football's most banged-up teams
by Kevan Lee on Dec 15, 2009 7:07 AM PST
in Boise State football
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MeanBobMean's FanPost, an episode of Scrubs, and a particularly slow day at work got me thinking: How bad have injuries been for the Broncos this season?
Turns out, Boise State has had it worse than any other non-BCS bowl team, far worse than their bowl opponent TCU, and the worst of any undefeated team in the country. I thought only the big schools were supposed to have this kind of depth. Join me after the jump for the details, and leave your thoughts in the comments.
(Note: All injury report are courtesy of StatFox. Other injury reports vary by one or two injuries per team.)
(Double note: Austin Pettis is still questionable for the Fiesta Bowl with a broken leg. Coach Pete joked this week about Pettis running routes already. There's a little bit of truth to every bit of kidding?)
Boise State vs. TCU
Let's begin by comparing Boise State's Fiesta Bowl injury report to TCU's Fiesta Bowl injury report, which ends up being a similar comparison to Boise State's outright WAC championships and Pat Hill's outright WAC championships.
Boise State
Cory Yriarte C Out For Season (knee)
Andy Silsby RB Out For Season (ACL)
DJ Harper RB Out For Season (leg)
Daron Mackey LB Out For Season (leg)
Richie Brockel TE Out For Season (foot)
Tyler Shoemaker WR Questionable Fiesta Bowl (hernia)
Austin Pettis WR Questionable Fiesta Bowl (ankle)
Derrell Acrey LB Questionable Fiesta Bowl (leg)
TCU
nobody
Health plays a big role in the success of a team, and while I'm not saying that TCU went undefeated because they remained healthy, I am saying that it didn't hurt. This would be the point in the story where someone says that playing a WAC schedule also has a role in the success of a team. Good one. I haven't heard that one before.
Undefeated teams
The Broncos are also most snakebit when it comes to a comparison of the country's undefeated teams. Take a look at the injury reports headed into the BCS bowl games:
- Boise State - 8 injured players
- Texas - 7
- Alabama - 4
- Cincinnati - 1
- TCU - 0
Attrition has hurt Boise State more than any other undefeated school this season heading into the bowl games. Also, perhaps now we know why Texas played so poorly in the Big XII championship game.
Bowl teams
The beat-up Broncos continue to stand out when propped up alongside all of the FBS bowl teams. Following is a chart of injury reports for bowl participants:
| Team | Injuries | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Miami | 12 | |
| North Carolina | 12 | 1 |
| Florida State | 11 | |
| Oklahoma | 10 | 1 |
| South Florida | 10 | |
| Florida | 9 | |
| Stanford | 9 | |
| Boise State | 8 | |
| Georgia Tech | 8 | |
| Ohio U | 8 | |
| USC | 8 | 1 |
| Auburn | 7 | 1 |
| UCONN | 7 | |
| East Carolina | 7 | |
| Marshall | 7 | |
| Texas | 7 | |
| Georgia | 6 | |
| Iowa | 6 | |
| Oklahoma State | 6 | |
| Utah | 6 | |
| Ohio State | 5 | |
| Oregon State | 5 | |
| Rutgers | 5 | |
| Southern Miss | 5 | |
| Alabama | 4 | 2 |
| BYU | 4 | 3 |
| Kentucky | 4 | |
| Missouri | 4 | |
| Cal | 3 | |
| Clemson | 3 | |
| LSU | 3 | |
| Nebraska | 3 | 1 |
| Northwestern | 3 | |
| Penn State | 3 | |
| Texas A&M | 3 | |
| Bowling Green | 2 | |
| Idaho | 2 | |
| Iowa State | 2 | 2 |
| Michigan State | 2 | 13 |
| Oregon | 2 | 1 |
| Temple | 2 | |
| Wisconsin | 2 | |
| Cincinnati | 1 | |
| Central Michigan | 1 | |
| Fresno State | 1 | |
| Ole Miss | 1 | |
| South Carolina | 1 | |
| SMU | 1 | |
| Texas Tech | 1 | |
| Troy | 1 | 3 |
| UCLA | 1 | |
| Nevada | 0 | 1 |
| West Virginia | 0 | 1 |
Among non-BCS schools, only Ohio University can match the Broncos for injuries heading into bowl season. The Bobcats finished 9-4 in the MAC.
What it means
Non-BCS schools aren't supposed to be able to overcome injuries like the Broncos have faced this season. At various times, the team's best running back, best linebacker, best blocker, and best wide receiver have missed games due to injuries. Plus, the injury bug took two of the team's five seniors.
The fact that Boise State found a way to stay undefeated through this adversity makes the feat all that more impressive. The coaching staff did a great job filling the gaps, backups did their part in playing bigger roles, and the Broncos turned out to be every bit as dominant as they always are.
Even more, this speaks to the increasingly BCS-level depth that Boise State has been able to accrue. The Broncos are by far the deepest team in the WAC. They may be the deepest team in all of the non-BCS. They may have some Pac-10 schools beat in that department. More so than ever, Boise State is built for long-term success with a roster of players who would be stars at most other non-BCS schools.
What is your take?
Is this the deepest team in Boise State history? Why have the Broncos been able to overcome so many injuries? Where would this team be if it were not for those injuries? Weigh in with your opinion in the comments.
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Non-BCS schools aren’t supposed to be able to overcome injuries like the Broncos have faced this season.
This is exactly what people say about playing a BCS conference schedule. The attrition due to injuries takes its toll. It’s notable that despite the injuries, we’ve been able to get through the season undefeated. And possibly, we’d still be able to do it in a BCS conference.
And it sounds like Choate is questionable, at best, for the Fiesta
With Pettis and Choate out, we need a new holder…quickly! The game could be decided by a botched FG or EP snap.
Obviously you're not a golfer...
TY retweeted a tweet from Pettis:
RT @APettis714: Finally off these crutches man let’s get this thing rollin! amen to that
http://twitter.com/TitusYoung/status/6679575030
Sounds like it’s getting better. Nothing but rehab left.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
This has to be the deepest team in Boise State history
All those injured players are key players or starters with the exception of Silsby. I was thinking about all the injuries several weeks ago and this has got to be the hardest the Broncos have been hit by the injury bug in recent years. I wish some of the game announcers would have brought up how many key injuries the Broncos have while they continue to win. Very impressive.
"Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish."
Just like to point out...
That injury list is not complete. Matt Kieserman is the first one to come to mind. Can’t think of any more right now, so that might be it, though.
"Well, we'll just have to get to know each other a little better then. I like Ferris wheels, college football, and anything that goes more than 200 miles an hour."
Oh,
And I realize Kevan said it might be incomplete. Just thought I’d mention the ones I knew were missing…
"Well, we'll just have to get to know each other a little better then. I like Ferris wheels, college football, and anything that goes more than 200 miles an hour."
by orangecircus on Dec 15, 2009 8:42 AM PST up reply actions
Good point
BSU has lost two productive running backs, yet there’s still two awesome running backs left. How does that happen? Awesome.
"Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish."
O-some O-line.
"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale
I think Pettis will be back for the bowl game...
Gut feeling. Also, someone much closer to the program than I made the same prediction.
I'm thinking the same thing.
I’m thinking Pettis would have to have a major setback in his recovery to keep him off the field. With the twitter updates alone (thanks to Loque) he seems so eager to get back out there.
"Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish."
A question that comes to mind RE: all the injuries.
How much does this speak to the potential success in the future? THAT gives me chills. LOL
I hate everyone equally...especially Vandals!
"Already Champions"
Just enjoy the ride, we are in.
Good article, best I have seen.
What was the injury report on our past bowls?
Boils down to 4X 15:00 minute quarters with a bunch of excited college kids, the game is up for grabs injured or not.
Remember, the Fiesta Bowl is one of our home fields.
by BSU Alumni stranded in Portland on Dec 15, 2009 10:58 AM PST reply actions
Depth at LB and RB
They’re injured, how key were they to the team?
Last year Utah had between 3-4 Dlineman hurting or out all year (including 2 or 3 projected starters/key backups), playing with younger and smaller or converted guys all year. It didn’t affect the outcome of the game as much as Alabama taking us for granted.
You have as fine a coach as there is, and preparing is more important than any other issue at this point. You may not have all your talent, but you do have enough. Put your faith in coach Pete and no matter how it turns out, you know he will do his best.
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Georgia
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Sat 09/03 | W 35 - 21 |
| @ Toledo | Fri 09/16 | W 40 - 15 |
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TCU
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Arizona St.
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