The atomic clock actually says that we have just 27 days until the Ducks hit the blue turf (hard).
So, today we'll continue our countdown by briefly highlighting the Bronco player with the jersey number that corresponds with the number of days remaining till the opener. Sorry there isn't a more clear and concise way to explain that. Drew's computer exploded two days ago, so pardon the delays while I find a new arrangement and pick monitor glass out of my forehead.
And we're off...
#27 Jeremy Avery, RB
Dynamite comes in small packages. Firecrackers come in very small packages. I think both would be acceptable when describing Jeremy Avery. The raw power of dynamite but in an even smaller package..like an M-80 on steroids. Junior running back Jeremy Avery's speed and surprising power belie his JV football frame. At 5'9" and not yet cracking the 170 lb. plateau, you'd be hard pressed to find many players in all of Division 1 football that get more from less than Jeremy Avery does with his slight frame. Often, defenses looking to crush the tiny RB often find themselves tackling a whole lotta air or laying on their back when "Peanut"* lowers the boom. It's easy to overlook the fact that Avery has averaged 6 yards per carry while at Boise State and racked up over 1300 yards and 12 TDs...heck, it's easy to overlook Avery...but all that may change this year as picks up Ian Johnson's mantle to lead the Bronco backfield. I shudder to think what will happen when Avery is allowed to get into a groove.
* Don't call him "Peanut"
Jeremy Avery came to Boise State as a late addition to the class of 2006 after academically qualifying a tad later than some would prefer. Avery was an All-CIF player at Bellflower HS in Los Angeles as a senior and was named conference MVP as well. In addition to conference recognition, Avery was named first team All-State and to the "Dream Team" as a senior as well. Avery's senior year at Bellflower saw him average 165 rushing yards per game and finish with 19 rushing TDs and 1,800 yards on the ground. Avery also led his league in rushing as a junior, piling up 1,200 yards and 9 TDs. Career highlights for Avery at Boise State would have to be scoring the game-winning two-point conversion in Boise State's epic 4-OT battle against Nevada in 2007 and setting a school record for YPC in a game against Idaho last season (156 yards on 11 carries=14.2 YPC). While Avery has always been revered by Bronco fans, his real coming out party can be traced back to the Broncos 2007 trip to Fresno, where Avery, who was starting in place of an injured Ian Johnson ran over and around the Bulldogs and finished with 124 yards rushing and 3 TDs in what was a crucial conference game. Avery is probably the best back to run behind the Broncos current O-line, who excel at pass blocking but don't currently run block terribly effectively. Given the opportunity, and the touches...I believe that Avery is poised for a true breakout year, one that will see him crack the 1,000 yard milestone and garner All-WAC second team honors. Feel free to save this article to praise or rib me for my prediction at year's end. If you're a noob and don't really know what Avery has to offer, this video shows his full repertoire in one beautiful play (Avery's is number 4).