Boise State Game Balls for week of August 27th

This past week saw some good volleyball wins, a soccer win, and a football W. Let’s check in on some OBNUG Game Balls.

Game Ball One:

Baylee Blaser (soccer)

The Broncos split games last week with a win against in-state rival Idaho State and a loss against Cal Poly. In the Idaho State match, Ms. Blaser had two shots-on-goal and connected on one of them. For getting the Broncos the W last week, she gets this week’s Game Ball.

Game Ball Two:

Sierra Nobley (volleyball)

Ms. Nobley is going to end her career as one of the best Bronco volleyballers and, arguably, THE best. Last week the Broncos went 2-1 in the Boise State Invitational that included of two ranked teams (no. 10 BYU and no. 27 Missouri). The only loss was to BYU. In that match Nobley took the school Kill record with 1,511 career kills. Being so early in the season, you can only assume she’s going to make this record almost unbreakable.

Game Ball Three:

Avery Williams (football)

This is a gimme decision given Mr. Williams’ spectacular special teams play. It may be too soon to deem him a danger in the punt return game but, for this game at least, the Broncos owe Williams a debt of gratitude. His electric opening punt return for a TD put Troy on the defensive and some breathing room for the Broncos. Williams had 124 punt return yards on Saturday. To put that in perspective the Broncos, last year, had a SEASON TOTAL of 159 yards off of punt returns. Williams also has a TD on a punt return. Already better than last year’s goose egg. If you were holding your breath on each punt return you wouldn’t be the only one.

Also, want to watch Williams stiff arm a dude? Sure you do.

Game Ball Four:

Montell Cozart (football)

If the Williams selection was a given, this second Game Ball was a bit of more difficult one. But these things can devolve to twenty some-odd Game Balls what with Desdmond Williams’ heads-up play for a touchback, Reid Harrison-Ducros and his strong performance at corner, Alexander Mattison’s rushing performance, Sonatane Lui helping force a turnover. There is a lot to choose. But Cozart was a nice change-of-pace QB when Brett Rypien started to struggle. Cozart’s mobility helped relieve a bit of pressure from the offensive line that was struggling a bit. The Cozart-led offense made way for the offense’s two touchdown-scoring drives. He even got Jake Roh back in the mix with a touchdown reception.

There shouldn’t be a QB controversy for the Broncos because there are a lot of things we can use to explain away Cozart’s success. BUT we should also give credit where credit is due (and a Game Ball) for a performance that sparked the offense to create points.

Your Turn

There is a lot to unpack from last week’s performances. Who else needs a Game Ball?