Broncos lose a head scratcher to SDSU at home

FINAL BSU 13 SDSU 19

The game started about as one would expect it to: a defensive battle. The teams traded 3-and-outs before Ryp threw an errant interception, his first of the season. Fortunately for the Broncos, the defense was able to hold the Aztecs to 3 points.

SDSU muffed a 56-yard punt from Skillin and the Broncos capitalized with a touchdown. The Bronco offense, though, did not look like itself. Ryp threw a second interception near the end of the first quarter, with the Broncos having just 10 yards of offense. The defense came through once again with a stripped ball and fumble recovery. Unfortunately, the offense continued to sputter. To top it off, Skillin fumbled the snap on the punt and SDSU gets the ball at the 31. When it rains, it pours. Somehow the Broncos held onto the lead at the end of the first. They has 2 total yards of offense. TWO,

The Broncos seemed to move the ball a bit, but stalled, again, at mid-field. They managed to get 29 yards of offense on that drive, but the Aztecs took over at their own 13. Rypien was 5-13 for 21 yards and 2 INT with 9 minutes left in the first half. OUCH.

After yet ANOTHER interception deep in Bronco territory, this time by Cord, the Aztecs finally get in the end zone to go up 13-7. The Broncos put together what looked like a promising drive to end the half, but resulted in a punt after a penalty and a sack on second down. The Broncos had 72 yards in the half.

The Broncos opened up the second half much like they ended the first half - with a 3-and-out. The Bronco D showed up, though, and forced one of their own. The remainder of the 3rd quarter was really much of the same - some off throws from Ryp, squandered opportunities, and some stellar play from the defense, including a 4th down stand (that resulted in a BSU punt) and a forced punt deep in SDSU territory, which included another block in the back that erased decent starting field position.

The Broncos opened the 4th quarter with a first down, driving. That resulted in yet another 3 and out. The Broncos were able to pin SDSU deep, but somehow let them pick up a first down. A few plays later, they break off a 72 yard TD run, going up 19-7. That seemingly put the game out of hand considering how the Bronco offense had played. That took the Aztecs to 140 yards rushing and 253 total yards with 10 minutes left in the game. The Broncos do little with the drive they had, resulting in a punt. SDSU started at the 17.

The Broncos FINALLY put together a scoring drive with 3 minutes left in the game to pull within 6. Velasquez misses the extra point. The Broncos have one last gasp and Rypien overthrows Modster. SDSU will take over on downs with 1:39 remaining and that will do it.

Easily the worst offensive performance from the Broncos in a VERY long time. I don’t think I could put name a game where it was worse. Really dumbfounded by this loss as the Broncos had all of the tools to come out with a win. Ryp had been completing 70% of his passes with over 300 yards a game and SDSU was giving up boatloads through the air. Yet the Broncos managed just 178 this time around. Nothing like a slice of humble pie at home, huh?

You have the rest of the afternoon/evening to seethe. Next up for the Broncos is a trip to Nevada on 10/13 at 8:30pm on CBS Sports Network.