Blue & Orange October 24, 2014

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GAME DAY OCTOBER 24, 2014

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ROSTERS

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KEY PLAYERS

PREDICTIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PLAYER PROFILE

BLUE & ORANGE 3

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OCTOBER 24, 2014

GRANT

HEDRICK

CMP% 71.9 QUARTER BACK

8 WINS AS THE STARTER photo by:darin oswald/mct campus

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TEAM CAPTAIN 12 TOUCHDOWNS

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OCTOBER 24, 2014

HOW THE GAME WILL GO

Broncos should edge out BYU Nate Lowery

Sports & Rec Editor

Coming into the season, many assumed Boise State would be in for a dogfight to win against BYU. Then Cougars’ quarterback, Taysom Hill, broke his leg four games into the season against Utah State. Since then, BYU has not won a game.

While sending the Cougars home with their fourth straight loss still won’t be an easy task for a Boise State team that has struggled with consistency, this game definitely got a lot easier.

The momentum and the energy in the Broncos’ locker room could not be higher following two tight wins against rivals Nevada and Fresno State.

Now the coaching staff just needs to hope that momentum can carry over to this Friday’s matchup against BYU. Gone is the BYU team that dominated Boise State in nearly every facet of the game in a 37-20 win in Provo last season.

Defensively, the Cougars allow 387.6 yards per game and 26.1 points per game, bad enough to rank 60th and 65th in the nation respectively.

Offensively, things aren’t much prettier. Since Hill was lost for the season the Cougars have managed to score

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only eight touchdowns.

Christian Stewart has managed to throw seven touchdowns as the replacement to Hill, but the offense has become a lot more one dimensional without a quarterback that can make big plays with his legs.

While Boise State has dealt with their own injury issues this season, none compare to losing your starting quarterback —especially one whose name was being into contention for the Heisman Trophy.

Except for the loss of wide receiver Matt Miller for the remainder of the season, the Broncos have managed to return nearly every major contributor that has missed time due to injury.

While the Broncos have been hampered by allowing big plays from other teams—Boise State has given up 34 plays of 20 or more yards (83rd in the nation)—the defense has shined when it matters most.

Against BYU, that trend will need to continue.

The stars have aligned for Boise State to notch a victory over BYU. All that is left to be seen is if the Broncos will be able to capitalize and seize the moment.

Boise State- 24 BYU- 20

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PINK OUT

against BYU

OCTOBER 24, 2014

5 items to mark in your pregame notebook Nate Lowery Staff Writer

BYU rivalry

Despite being one of Boise State’s biggest rivals, the Broncos and Cougars have only met on four occasions. Boise State holds the all-time advantage 3-1.

Overall, Boise State has outscored BYU 105-82 since the two schools first met in 2003. The Broncos are undefeated against BYU at home.

The two schools have agreed to keep the match up going annually until 2023.

Injury watch

With the exception of Matt Miller, the Broncos have finally seem to shake the injury bug that has plagued the team all season.

Cornerbacks Donte Deayon and Cleshawn Page were available for all of the Fresno State game. Senior cornerback Mercy Maston will redshirt this season after missing the first seven games with an injury, but is still practicing on the scout team.

leslie boston-hyde/THE ARBITER

Explosive offense

The days of the post-Kellen Moore blues are dwindling. After Moore’s graduation, the Broncos offense lost the explosion and innovation that drove the program to two Fiesta Bowl wins.

That explosiveness is now back.

Boise State ranks 15th in the nation of plays of 20 yards or more and 18th nationally with 20 plays of 30 yards or more.

Last season, the Broncos ranked 49th and 51st in those respective categories.

Hedrick replaces Miller

Quarterback Grant Hedrick has replaced Miller as the offensive team captain.

According to head coach Bryan Harsin, there wasn’t much distance between Hedrick in Miller when the team voted on captains before the season.

The “Jay Train” runs in Boise

There’s no question where run-

ning back Jay Ajayi’s favorite place to play is. It’s Albertsons Stadium.

In 14 home games during his Boise State career, Ajayi has run for 1,483 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Against BYU, Ajayi has never scored a touchdown. Friday night at Albertsons Stadium provides the perfect opportunity for that streak to end.

Defense key for Broncos

While the Broncos have given up 365.9 yards per game and have ranked 70th nationally in scoring de-

fense (27.1 points per game), their defense is still one of the best units in the MW. Boise State is second in the conference in sacks and first in interceptions with 22 and 13 respectively. Their interception total also ranks fourth in the nation.

Of the 100 drives against the Broncos defense this season, 61 have gone for less than 20 yards.

Boise State has allowed opponents to score on only 31 percent of their drives.

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OCTOBER 24, 2014

YOU’VE BEEN THUNDER

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OCTOBER 24, 2014

RSTRUCK OCTOBER 24, 2014

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KEY PLAYERS AGAINST BYU Nate Lowery Sports & Rec Editor

When healthy, Deayon has been one of the unquestioned leaders of a Broncos defense that has, at times, looked like the best unit in the MW. However health has been Deayons’s problem.

When he’s on the field, Deayon has come up with several clutch interceptions and big plays that work in the favor of the Broncos. Undisclosed lower body injuries had kept Deayon on the sidelines more than the Boise State coaches would like this season.

BYU is a team that is struggling offensively. After breaking the AP Top 25 three games into the season, the Cougars have dropped three straight games after quarterback Taysom Hill broke his leg in a loss to Utah State.

Deayon and the rest of the Broncos defense are set up to thrive against BYU and their replacement quarterback Christian Stewart.

Stewart has only completed 55 percent of his passes this season. Don’t expect that number to increase against a Boise State defense that ranks fourth nationally with 13 interceptions through seven games. If Deayon can come up with clutch plays that halt BYU’s drives, expect Boise State to avenge last season’s loss.

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No.5 Donte Deayon Jr. CB

No.9 Grant Hedrick R-Sr. QB

darin oswald/mct campus

Any thoughts of Grant Hedrick not being the man to lead the Broncos from under center have been put to rest following Boise State’s 37-27 win over Fresno State.

Against the Bulldogs, Hedrick threw for zero interceptions. That is a trend that will need to continue in order for the Broncos to top the Cougars.

Last season Hedrick made his first start in place of an injured Joe Southwick against BYU. Hedrick was a major reason for the Broncos’ defeat. Turnovers led to several Boise State drives stalling before they could even start. Hedrick contributed to the team’s four turnovers with an interception and led an anemic offense to only two touchdown scoring drives. Against BYU this year, Hedrick is going to have to play as perfect of a game of football as he can.

In both of Boise State’s losses this season, Hedrick tossed four interceptions, leading to fewer opportunities for the offense and exhausted the Broncos defense.

If Hedrick can lead the Broncos offense efficiently, then Boise State can beat a BYU team many thought would dominate the Broncos.

After having his redshirt burned against Nevada on Oct. 4, McNichols has dazzled Bronco fans with 102 all-purpose yards and electrifying speed. McNichols has now replaced Dallas Burroughs on the kick return team due to Burroughs’ ball control issues against Fresno State.

Kickoff returns and special teams had been an area of weakness for the Broncos as of late, but McNichols has the perfect skill set to help Boise State improve in the return game. Blessed with excellent vision and the ability to evade would-be tacklers, McNichols has the potential to break off a big play every time he touches the ball—especially on kickoff returns.

If McNichols can put the offense in good field position after a good kickoff return, he can take some pressure off of Hedrick. What McNichols also provides is an offensive weapon that can be used in a variety of roles for the offense.

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kaylee hinkle/the arbiter

No.13 Jeremy McNichols Fr. WR

OCTOBER 24, 2014

WT CLASS 213 SR 193 SO 182 SO 189 FR 198 SR 185 FR 158 JR 195 FR 183 JR 190 FR 168 FR 190 FR 203 FR 178 SO 186 SO 174 JR 203 JR 181 FR 179 FR 174 SO 202 SR 199 FR 174 JR 185 FR 200 SO 194 FR

No. NAME 39 David Mckinzie 41 Dan Goodale 42 Matt Cota 46 Kevin Keane 49 Tyler Rausa 52 Andrew Tercek 56 Troy Bacon 57 Tennessee Su’esu’e 59 Mason Hampton 60 Kellen Buhr 63 Sitini Kauvaka 66 Mario Yakoo 68 Jake Templeton 70 Steven Baggett 71 Rees Odhiamo 72 Marcus Henry 73 Travis Averill 74 Archie Lewis 75 Eli McCullough 76 Jerhen Ertel 77 RJ Thorne 78 Andres Preciado 80 D.J. Dean 81 Dallas Burroughs 82 Thomas Sperbeck 84 Jake Hardee 85 Holden Huff

POS HT WR 6-0 K 5-10 LS 6-1 LS 6-0 K 5-9 OL 6-1 OL 6-3 OL 6-1 OL 6-3 OL 6-1 OL 6-2 OL 6-4 OL 6-2 OL 6-3 OL 6-4 OL 6-3 OL 6-3 OL 6-3 OL 6-5 OL 6-6 OL 6-2 OL 6-6 WR 6-1 WR 5-9 WR 6-0 TE 6-3 TE 6-6

WT CLASS 166 FR 185 SR 189 FR 207 JR 192 SO 280 FR 291 FR 289 FR 274 FR 290 SO 287 FR 339 SO 275 FR 289 SO 310 JR 286 JR 298 SO 283 FR 288 FR 271 JR 295 FR 258 FR 195 FR 169 SR 173 SO 238 JR 222 JR

OFFENSE ROSTER

No. NAME POS HT 2 Matt Miller WR 6-3 3 Thomas Stuart QB 5-11 6 Chaz Anderson WR 5-10 8 Sean Modster WR 5-11 9 Grant Hedrick QB 6-0 10 Cory Young RB 5-10 11 Shane Willliams Rhode WR 5-6 13 Jeremy McNichols RB 5-9 14 Troy Ware WR 6-2 15 Ryan Finley QB 6-4 16 Blake Gonzalez K 5-9 16 Anthony Upshaw QB 6-0 18 Alex Ogle QB 6-3 19 Taylor Pope WR 6-0 19 Sean Wale P 6-2 20 Terrell Johnson WR 5-9 21 Jack Fields RB 5-9 23 Tanner Shipley WR 6-1 24 Dusty Fisher WR 6-2 26 Devan Demas RB 5-8 27 Jay Ajayi RB 6-1 28 A.J. Richardson WR 6-0 29 Rick Smith WR 5-9 31 Skyler Seibold RB 6-1 35 Charles Bertoli RB 5-11 37 Ryan Wolphin RB 5-8

86 87 88 89 91 93

Chase Blakley Alec Dhaenens Jake Roh Connor Peters David Lucero Brennyn Dunn

TE TE TE TE TE TE

6-4 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-3

234 239 228 251 213 215

F FR FR SR FR SO

WELCOME TO

boisestate

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OCTOBER 24, 2014

What a win would mean for Boise State Nate Lowery

Sports & Rec Editor

Let’s all be honest, before the season began, not many could claim that Boise State would be able to win easily when BYU came to town.

A devastating injury to star BYU quarterback Taysom Hill has drastically changed that narrative, however.

If the Broncos manage to beat the Cougars Friday night at Albertsons Stadium, it will be the highlight of a roller coaster season for Boise State.

While Boise State has no chance

of making the inaugural College Football Playoff, a win over BYU would validate a season that saw the Broncos drop key games against Ole Miss and Air Force.

The win would also make Boise State bowl eligible.

The Broncos have a long, uphill battle to becoming a nationally relevant team once again. A win over a BYU team that looked poised for a run to the College Football Playoff, before Taysom Hill went down with an injury in the fourth game of the season, would cover a lot of that climb.

darin oswald/mct campus

There’s some magic left in Boise

Where a loss would leave the Broncos Nothing has changed for the Broncos Nate Lowery

Sports & Rec Editor

Yes, you did in fact read that right. A loss to BYU Friday night would mean absolutely nothing for Boise State.

There are no possible scenarios that would get the Broncos into the College Football Playoff. All Boise State has to play for this season is a MW Championship, bragging rights in a freshly minted rivalry series with BYU and pride.

DATE

OPPONENT

Anyone actually associated with the football program knows the conference championship is the most important of those three.

With BYU being an Independent school and not a part of the MW, a loss to the Cougars would not alter the conference standings in any way, shape or form.

Yes, Boise State does not want to go

on the road coming off a loss at home, but all that matters for the Broncos at this point is beating New Mexico, San Diego State, Wyoming and Utah State in the upcoming weeks.

Those four games are what decides Boise State’s place in a growingly competitive MW. While everyone wants to leave this game with a W, the boat doesn’t capsize either way.

Ole Miss

LOCATION

Atlanta, Georgia

TIME

RESULT

Sept. 6

Colorado State

ALBERTSONs stadium

8:15 p.m.

W, 37-24

Sept. 13

Connecticut

East Hartford, Conn.

10 a.m.

W, 38-21

Sept. 20

Lousiana-Lafayette

ALBERTSONs stadium

8:30 p.m.

W, 34-9

Sept. 27

Air Force

Colorado Springs, Colo.

6 p.m.

L, 28-14

Oct. 4

Nevada

Reno, Nev.

8:30 p.m.

W, 51-46

Oct. 17

Fresno State

ALBERTSONs stadium

6 p.m.

W, 37-27

Oct. 24

BYU

ALBERTSONs stadium

7 p.m.

TBD

Nov. 8

New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico

5 p.m.

TBD

Nov. 15

San Diego State

ALBERTSONs stadium

TBA

TBD

Nov. 22

Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming

TBA

TBD

Nov. 29

Utah State

ALBERTSONs stadium

TBA

TBD

Aug. 28

PAGE 10

6 p.m.

L, 35-13

OCTOBER 24, 2014

DEFENSE

No. NAME 1 Douglas Bryan 3 Cleshawn Page 4 Darian Thompson 5 Donte Deayon 7 Joe Martarano 8 Kamalei Correa 9 Mercy Maston 10 Jeremy Ioane 13 Blake Renaud 14 Kaleb Hill 17 Brandon Beau 20 Tanner Vallejo 22 Chanceller James 24 Taylor Loffler 25 Chris Santini 28 Dillon Lukehart 29 Dylan Summer-Gardner 30 Jonathan Moxey 31 Zavior Hoxie 32 Rondell McNair 33 Gabe Perez 34 Jaxon Pryor 36 Tyler Gray 37 Cameron Hartsfield 38 Corey Bell 40 Armand Nance

POS HT WT CLASS CB 5-9 175 SR CB 5-9 178 SR S 6-2 208 JR CB 5-9 152 JR LB 6-3 234 FR DL 6-3 247 SO CB 5-11 197 SR S 5-10 192 SR LB 6-2 255 SR DE 6-1 229 FR S 5-11 194 FR LB 6-1 228 SO LB 6-1 216 SR S 6-3 219 JR LB 6-1 221 SO S 6-1 208 JR S 6-1 196 FR CB 5-10 187 SO CB 5-11 184 FR DE 6-2 242 JR STUD 6-4 231 SO DB 5-9 205 FR LB 6-4 229 JR CB 5-10 186 FR N 5-11 203 SR DT 6-0 301 JR

No. NAME POS HT WT CLASS 43 Joe Provenzano LB 5-11 205 FR 44 Darren Lee LB 6-1 224 SO 45 Travis Saxton LB 6-1 228 SR 47 Eric Yates CB 5-9 161 FR 48 David Moa DL 6-3 249 FR 50 Nick Terry DT 6-3 282 FR 51 Ben Weaver LB 6-0 235 SO 53 Beau Martin DE 6-2 258 SR 54 Mat Boesen STUD 6-4 219 FR 55 Tutulupeatau Mataele DT 6-3 294 JR 58 Robert Ash DT 6-3 286 JR 69 Tyler Horn DT 6-5 273 SR 90 Justin Taimatuia DT 6-0 287 SR 88 Jake Roh TE 6-2 210 FR 89 Connor Peters TE 6-4 250 JR 90 Justin Taimatuia DT 6-0 281 JR 92 Paul Semons DT 6-3 249 FR 94 Sam McCaskill DE 6-3 250 SO 95 Leighton Esch Vander LB 6-4 215 FR 96 Elliot Hoyte DL 6-4 271 SO 97 Austin Silsby DE 6-3 221 FR 98 Antoine Turner DT 6-1 290 FR 99 Dereck Boles DT 6-2 294 FR

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