Boise State football

Three stars and one goat of Boise State's win over Idaho

By Nate Peters Nov 14, 2010, 2:00pm PST

On Friday night, a 40-year rivalry came to an end. No more trips to Moscow, and no more blowouts against the Vandals; at least for now. Boise State extended their winning streak against the Vandals to 12 on Friday night, taking care of business as usual as they went on another convincing victory with a score of 52-14. Join me now after the jump as I go over my three stars and one goat of Boise State's win over Idaho.

Star No. 3: Brandyn Thompson CB

I have a confession to make. With the exception of Kyle Brotzman, Brandyn Thompson has frustrated me more than any other Bronco in recent memory. Maybe it was just because he got picked on a lot last year lining up opposite Bronco All-American Kyle Wilson. Well, Brandyn Thompson cast his own ballot for top corner on the squad Friday night. Thompson ended the night with two interceptions. He was also a consistent lock down corner across from whoever he was lined up against. He broke up a beautifully thrown, would-be touchdown in the endzone late in the game. Thompson has been under scrutiny in recent history because of giving up so many big plays. However, it is because of his ability and confidence to bounce back and get the job done that we award you, Brandyn Thompson, Star No. 3 of Boise State's win over Idaho.

Star No. 2: Doug Martin RB

Shiloh Keo: meet Doug Martin. Can somebody please post video of the Muscle Hamster running over Shiloh Keo in the endzone?! Does helmet to helmet even count if it is on offense? Doug Martin says no, and if you disagree, then I fear for your life. Doug ended the night with 16 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns. I know this could be said about any of our first teamers, but can you imagine if Doug played an entire four quarters? He would easily rush for over 200 yards and four or five touchdowns every game. Doug's running is so fluid and methodical, seeing perfectly the gaps and holes in the defense. He is like the running back version of Kellen Moore, having an uncanny vision of where everyone is and and how it relates to him. I better stop there before my man crush becomes any more evident. Doug Martin, Bronco Nation salutes you as Star No. 2 of Boise State's win over Idaho.

Star No. 1: Kellen Moore QB

Moore was at it again Friday night, picking apart the Vandal "defense" on just about every play. Kellen is an expert at many things: making sandwiches, carpentry, and chemical biology to name a few. However, Kellen has another strength; an uncanny ability to put the ball exactly where it needs to be for his receivers to have the best chance at a reception. He also has the ability to know exactly where his receivers are going to be at all times, which was evident on more than one occasion Friday night. Kellen finished the game 19 of 26 for 216 yards and three touchdowns. He had a passer rating of 180, which believe it or not, actually brought down his season average. What was my favorite Kellen moment of the night, you ask? My favorite Kellen moment was after the deep TD to Titus when he turned, pulled out his invisible dual pistols and fired at someone on the sidelines. Oh how I long to have been the recipient of those imaginary bullets. Congratulations yet again, Kellen Moore, as Star No. 1 of Boise State's win over Idaho.

Contemporary-ceiling-fans-modern-fan-pensi_medium

The Goat: Post-Game Fan Reactions

All the way up until about 11:00 Friday night I was ready to name the Kibbie Dome my goat of Friday night's matchup. Why? Because I can call it the Kiddie Dome, or Field-In-A-Bottle. That's why. Also it's really old, it doesn't hold very many people, it could have possibly been an abandoned warehouse before the Vandals found it, and it looks like someone poured 10,000 orders of black Dip N' Dots all over it.

However, the Kibbie Dome's inability to be a real stadium pales in comparison to the lack of class I witnessed among many Boise State fans on Friday night. Bronco Nation, I'm on your side. I want to see us beat Idaho by 100 just as much as the next guy. Am I infuriated by Joe Southwick's apparent inability to pass the ball, or how we basically just toss out the playbook after the third quarter? Yeah, it upsets me a lot. However, you will never hear me completely discount any decision that Pete makes. You will never hear me question his ability to make the right call and lead our team to victory. I may disagree with calls from time to time, but what do I know, I'm just a blogging nerd who sells phones for a living.

I have come to realize that there is rhyme, and there is reason behind everything coach Pete does. Maybe he isn't allowing Southwick to pass because it's more important that Hodge gets some good carries. Or maybe he wants the second and third team offensive lines to get in some run reps. Or maybe Pete just wants to run the ball. If that's what he wants, then that's good enough for me. It's kind of like when you ask "why" after you've been told to clean your room by your mother and she responds with, "because I said so, that's why". Well, Pete said so, that's why.

It is our job as fans to support, uplift, and go to battle with our Broncos and coaches. Let us not become so entitled with what we have accomplished that we forget where we came from, or where we are trying to go. Let's win, and lets win with class, no matter of the post-season consequences. Therefore, it is you, criticis, naysayers, doubters, and spoilers of the world, whether you are a Bronco fan or not, that earns the title of the Goat of Boise State's win over Idaho.

Your Turn

Let us know what you thought about Friday night's matchup. Who were your stars, and who was your goat? Did I completely miss the mark on my goat? What was your favorite play of the night? And please, someone post videos of Doug smashing Keo and Kellen shooting imaginary bullets into all of our hearts. Sound off, Bronco Nation.