A fake punt

Brotzman to Efaw, 29 yards, bang bang, and the Boise State Broncos kept that drive alive. Then Moore hit Efaw (11), Young (9), Gallarda (16) and Doug Martin soared in to score.

FINAL: BSU 17, TCU 10.

Turnover

Doug Martin fumbled a ball, viciously stripped by Jerry Hughes, who also recovered the fumble. The Horned Frogs then drove down to the BSU 16 before their drive stalled.You simply can’t have mistakes like that in a game. Both teams have now turned the ball over. BSU simply cannot do it again or it will lose the game. Turnovers are killers and that last one murdered a drive that looked promising.  On a night littered with 3-and-outs, that one really hurts. TCU got three points out of it to tie the score. Derrell Acrey almost returned the favor for BSU, on a pass deflected by Jerrell Gavins, but the ball hit the ground before Acrey could corral it. After three quarters, it’s BSU 10, TCU 10.

Brotzman made amends with that 40-yarder. His skils from the left hash seem to have completely left him. He missed a 36-yarder in this game. I can’t remember the last time he made one of consequence from the left hash. That must make Bryan Harsin start to question which direction to run third down plays to. It’s actually gotten a little quiet in here with the 10-0 lead.

BSU is double teaming Jerry Hughes on almost every play. He knocked Moore down once when he jumped offsides, and later batted down a swing pass.

Brandyn Thompson got the back end of the Karma, returning an interception for a  touchdown, then getting beat on a pump fake to give up the only TCU score of the half.

End First Quarter

What a bunch of madness. Play of the quarter has to go to Brandyn Thompson and his 51-yard interception return for a touchdown. He stepped in front of a slant pass and was home free. Second place goes to Kyle Wilson on that sack/forced fumble on Dalton, nearly knocking the starter out.
BSU had one productive drive, but Brotzman miss a no-brainer from the left hash. How much longer does that guy keep his job? If an entire side of the field is off limits? No way.
The Broncos are running a variation of the 3-2-6 defense, using three corners and lining up Shea McClellin at linebacker.

Fiesta pre-game

I spent the last two hours down on the field, waiting for fans to file in, observing warm-ups and talking shop with whoever was willing. I’d like to stay down there forever, but boys and girls we got a game to watch.
It’s funny watching so many people scurry for their smart phones when Kellen Moore walked out wearing orange pants. They look like a dream(cickle. I think it’s good for nostalgia, but this is a different everything than it was last year, from opponent to roster and atmosphere to attention. I doubt the ratings will be great, but I’m sure the game will.
The BSU band is out on the field now, with more scholarships than the last bump here in Glendale, because they were embarrassed by Oklahoma’s girth. The band still looks miniscule. There are still a boatload of empty seats in the stadium. I’m sure more than a few folks are dawdling in the parking lot. The tailgate parties were out of control out there, a lot of yelling and not a lot of sobriety. I must have shot close to 500 photos this week, and that’s a bunch for a literary guy like me. I sure ain’t willing to be a photog yet; I barely qualify as a writer still at this juncture. But here I am, stuck, again, in the middle with you.
I would love to tell you some inside dirt that I haven’t already unearthed, but honestly I’m about analyzed-out. I’m ready to break down some film and really talk about the game in-action, not the game in-prognostication.
I’m not one to pick scores, so I won’t. Even though I was forced to on air this week. I don’t even think scores matter. I’m all about wins and losses and even then I won’t pick beforehand, in case I curse a team.
Some things to look for?
Watch the line of scrimmage in this game. Whichever team can move it in their direction will win, hands down.
But look also for some hidden yardage in the kicking game to sway field position.
Moreover, and over, the running game will make the difference, or is it the quarterbacks? The defensive lines? The second string field goal kicker? I just don’t know. Anything can happen in the course of a football game. The team that adjusts and remains efficient, executes and delivers on promises will win.
How bout this? The team that scores more wins! That one I can assure you, but other than that, I am watching and lingering just like you.
20 minutes left. I am a month’s worth of ready.

Practice

The practice facility at Scottsdale Community College, where the Broncos practice, is just ridiculously nice for a junior college. They have two football fields, side by side, other than the game field. The grass is perfectly manicured, bizarre for this city without grass. There’s a lot of brown down here. I bet the Fiesta Bowl puts a lot of money into that place. TCU is practicing at a high school that simply isn’t as nice.
I talked to Richie Brockel today after practice. He is still on crutches, but plans to start walking without them tomorrow or the day after. He said he still feels pain in the bottom of his foot, just because he has not walked on it in weeks. instead he’s been working his upper body. He bench pressed 285 pounds 10 times yesterday. He’s getting stronger. Once he gets back into the gym, he’ll have a few months to recover and prepare for the NFL tryouts. I think he’ll be just fine. The Minnesota Vikings might be a good fit. Someone can use a hyper-intelligent fullback. Brockel is probably the best NFL prospect on the team.

Sunshine on my shoulder

It is so beautiful down here. It seriously feels like June in Idaho. It’s bright and warm and confusing for our acclimated bodies. I can’t imagine what will happen to me when we have to go back.
In the Valley of the Sun football dominates the horizon. We have been watching all these games (totally disappointed in the BCS games so far) and have tried our best to break down the TCU/BSU matchup. It’s no secret that TCU is tough on defense, but it’s offense is surprisingly efficient. They run the ball and then fool defenses when they commit at the line of scrimmage. The one thing I’m really looking for is the physical victories inside and on the edges. No one seems to think the Broncos can match up, but if I know anything about this BSU team, their effort shocks opponents. The word ‘quit’ is alien to them. They may not have the same natural talent, but they surely have the heart and head to get it done.

Winning pays

It’s no secret that making it to his second Fiesta Bowl had a lot to do with Pete’s new deal.

Bleymaier said

“The great thing about Pete and his staff is that they want to be there. All you can ask for is people doing their best shot.”

Pete said

“We’ve got a great situation at Boise State.”
The assistant coaches got raises too.