| Sign Up | Google+

One Bronco Nation Under God, a Boise State Broncos community

 
 
 

The Boise State Special Special Teams [Position Preview]

By on Aug 25 2012, 9:00a @xBLEEDBLUEx 23

Stay connected for news and updates

Aug 18, 2012; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos kicker Michael Frisina (84) makes a field goal during the fall scrimmage at Bronco Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-US PRESSWIRE

The Boise State Special Special Teams, where we aren't really sure what's going to happen on any given play. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few years, you're aware of the issues Boise State has had with special teams play. In particular, its two haunting memories that plague the backs of our minds any time a field goal kicker comes out for an attempt.

Will 2012 be any different, or will the heart of Bronco Nation be broken again? Take a peak after the jump and find out for yourself!

(And so begins the tradition of position previews. We love traditions at OBNUG. Other traditions may include, but are not limited to: Dairy Queen Blizzards, hating anything Vandal, and Spell Check.)

This is the last installment in our position previews posts. Next up: Michigan State!

The Offenders

14 Harman, Trevor P 6-3 216 RJr. Beaverton, Ore. (Southridge HS)
28 Wale, Sean P 6-1 171 Fr. La Habra, Calif. (La Habra HS)
84 Frisina, Michael PK 5-5 162 Sr. Brea, Calif. (Saddleback JC) (Brea Olinda HS)
41 Goodale, Dan PK 5-10 191 RSo. Boise, Idaho (Timberline HS)
18 Van Ginkel, Jake PK 6-0 186 RFr. Upland, Calif. (Upland HS)

50 Holsteen, Jake LS 6-4 216 Jr. Mediapolis, Iowa (Ellsworth JC) (Mediapolis HS)
52 Keane, Kevin LS 6-0 208 So. Moorpark, Calif. (Ohio Wesleyan) (Moorpark HS)
44 Roberson, Chris LS 6-0 228 Sr. Katy, Texas (Katy HS)

Michael Frisina

Frisina_medium

  • Favorite Quote: "Did you touch my drums?" -Step Brothers
  • Favorite Song: "Tubthumper." -Chumbawumba
  • Favorite Movie: Beverly Hills Chihuahua. "Man those little dogs are so flippin cute." -Michael Frisina
List of Offenses: 2011 Junior Season
Michael Frisina looks like he could have been part of some sweet Nickelodeon original films from back in the day. At 5'5" tall, and only 162 lbs, Frisina isn't exactly the biggest guy on the team, but man does he have a big leg. Frisina was nailing everything he set his sights on at the fall scrimmage. Going 6-6 on field goalf for the evening, and likely solidifying his spot as the starting field goal kicker on the team. With field goals ranging from 29-36 yards out, and plenty of room to spare, Frisina calmed the hearts of Bronco fans everywhere. A junior college transfer in 2011, Frisina played in five games during his debut season with the Broncos. He was 21 of 23 for PAT's on the year, but only getting a chance at 4 field goals, making 3 of them.

I anticipate Frisina to get the start, with Dan Goodale likley behind him, and also getting a considerable amount of playing time, depending on how Frisina plays going forward.

Next Up: Trevor Harman

Trevor Harman

Trevor_medium

  • Favorite Quote: "Duck!", "What?", "Thunk." -The Swan Princess
  • Favorite Song: "I'm sexy and I know it." -LMFAO
  • Favorite Movie: The Swan Princess. "Now that's a real man's love story." -Trevor Harman
List of Offenses: Redshirt Sophomore Season
Trevor Harman may be listed as the team's primary kickoff specialist and punter, but with his size, speed, and strength, he could easily play a variety of other positions on the field. But seriously, why do that when you can be the punter? Trevor played in all 13 games during 2011 and will likely continue that trend into the 2012 season. Trevor will likely be the kickoff specialist, as well as getting a fair amount (hopefully not too many if the offense can move the ball at all) of punts as well. Trevor has a cannon of a leg which often results in a touchback or prime field position for our defense coming onto the field. Trevor kicked off nearly 100 times last season totaling over 6,000 yards. Although I don't expect the offense to put up quite as much points as they have in recent years, he should still get plenty of opportunities to show his leg strength. Now if only we could teach him to kick field goals. Zing!

Next Up: Shane Williams-Rhodes

Shane Williams-Rhodes

Shane_medium

  • Favorite Quote: "Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or, learn from it." -Rafiki (The Lion King)
  • Favorite Song: "All I ask of you." -The Phantom of the Opera
  • Favorite Movie: The Phantom of the Opera. "Never gets old. You melt my heart, Gerard Butler." -Shane Williams-Rhodes
List of Offenses: True Freshman
When I did the position previews for receivers, Shane Williams-Rhodes didn't get more than a few words. In fact, Bronco fans may have wished to keep it that way after hearing that he had donned the No. 11 jersey for his freshman season. First off: Bronco fans were outraged that the number was even available, and wasn't immediately retired once Kellen left the field in Vegas last year. And to top that off, this cocky little freshman thinks he is going to stroll in and take the number of the greatest player in BSU history? Oh no he didnt! Oh yes he did, and I am no longer upset about it. Shane Williams-Rhodes is the next Titus Young. He is a prolific, dynamic player that can change the course of a game in one single play. He will play as a true freshman. Kids like this you simply can't keep on the sidelines. However, he'll have to grow up quick, and keep his attitude in check. We all saw a familiar somersault into the endzone during the fall scrimmage. Former Bronco Austin Pettis was guilt of the same tumbling a few years back against Wyoming. Coach Pete promptly sat him the rest of the game. SWR's touchdown was called back due to the celebration penalty. I'm sure he won't be making that mistake again. SWR gets a special spotlight in the special teams preview because of my prediction of him returning kicks for the Broncos in 2012. There is a lot of other talent and speed on the squad that could also return kicks, but I think you'll be seeing a lot more of No. 11 for the next four years.

Next Up: All The Rest

Not to be forgotten, Dan Goodale, Jake Van Ginkel, and Sean Wale. Of the three, Goodale will likely be the back up to Frisina at kicker, while it appears the other two will be riding the pine. Van Ginkel's time at Boise State has been a whirlwind of confusion and disappointment. A scholarship kicker, Van Ginkel was touted as a highly recruited kicker, but has not yet seen the blue at Boise State. He missed the Las Vegas bowl last season, and has been sitting out through fall activities. We do not indulge in rumors, but rumor has it that his absence has nothing to do with academics. Regardless, he needs to get his head in the game and start living up to his potential.

Conclusions

The kicking game "appears" to be much better in 2012. I say appears in quotes because kicking in the fall scrimmage with minimal amounts of pressure is much easier than kicking in front of 80,000 Michigan State Spartans. I'm happy, err, ecstatic with the evident progress that has been made. Kicking has been a sore spot in Bronco fan's hearts for a few years now, and its due time that those fears are put to rest. Whether that man is Frisina, Goodale, Van Ginkel, or Wale, I am confident that Coach Pete has put them through the gauntlet to ensure a Nevada/TCU repeat never happens again.

Your Turn

Who do you think will win the starting job? Is Van Ginkel done? Will SWR play as a true freshman and be returning kicks for the Broncos? Sound off in the comments!

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Poll

With the kicker competition being seemingly limited between only Frisina and Goodale, who do you think will be the primary kick returner for the Broncos in 2012?

Recent Posts

In This Article

Teams

Stay connected for news and updates

Recent Posts

Trending

The Next Read

There are 23 Comments. Load Now.

Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.

C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read

R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next

Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read

Comment Settings

Live comment alert: Hide it!

Comments for this post are closed.

Small_obnug Large_obnug

One Bronco Nation Under God

One Bronco Nation Under God, a Boise State Broncos community

SB Nation
SBNU v1.2.1, May 1, 2013 Guiding Principles - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy
© 2013 Vox Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved
tracking_pixel_5351_tracker