|
QB
Jared Zabransky |
|
2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Dan Hawkins
44-7,
4 years |
2004
Record: 11-1 |
|
IDAHO |
WON
65-7 |
OREGON
STATE |
WON
53-34 |
at
UTEP |
WON
47-31 |
BRIGHAM
YOUNG |
WON
28-27 |
SMU |
WON
38-20 |
at
Tulsa |
WON
45-42 |
FRESNO
STATE |
WON
33-16 |
HAWAII |
WON
69-3 |
at
San Jose State |
WON
56-49 |
LOUISIANA
TECH |
WON
55-14 |
at
Nevada |
WON
58-21 |
LIBERTY
BOWL |
vs.
Louisville |
LOST
40-44 |
|
2004 Final Rankings
AP-12, Coaches-13, BCS-9
|
2005
Outlook |
Head
coach Dan Hawkins and OC Chris Petersen
have used their weapons well enough
to have won 39 of their last 42, and
it is also a team that has gone undefeated
in the W.A.C. for THREE straight years
(24-0). OK, it is the WAC, but still
The
numbers and superlatives could be
listed til the potatoes are planted
(our third reference to their proud
regional product), but suffice to
say that (maybe) one opponent per
campaign has even challenge this team
of late. Bowl selection committees
have matched them up well enough the
last two years such that the Broncos
ran into true tests, meaning we know
what they do if/when the foe is as
good as them - they hit hard and compete
at the highest of team levels. Character
has therefore been established, but
just how much will be pivotal when
teams that are better than BSU invite
the Broncos to their homes. Still,
the classic arguments of why a strong
8-0 WAC squad isn't as good as other
comparable major-conferenced teams
fail to hold water when applied now
to BSU.
The
Bronco running game will again rank
(as) high(er) as/than the aerial assault.
This spells doom for opposing defenses,
most of whom already had demoralized
kids when just BSU's predictable (but
unstoppable) passing team beat them.
Offense is an afterthought, where
as the defense will have their work
cut out to overcome usual size issues.
But what the defense lacks in size,
they well make up for in group effort.
If
you can even call it luck, Boise State
plays their major opponents (except
Fresno) in September - you see, they
match up worse with larger teams when
these opponents already have their
conference-tested heads-of-steam going
(Louisville). Boise State has gotten
better each successive season (except
in 2001), and with Utah already having
broken the BCS cherry, this year's
expectations, though still modest
and realistic, are the biggest ever
(Georgia and Bowling Green). Two losses
cannot be looked upon poorly when
State goes the "Bobby Bowden
road" - scheduling seemingly
insurmountable foes away from Boise
so as to make a strong program even
better. This is the first step to
any "next steps", and elevating
the program via this tough, longterm
approach gets our respect.
Like
other 18-22 year olds, this team really
can only beat themselves this way.
But the continuity of last season's
momentum/confidence means this won't
likely happen no matter what the outcomes.
These kids know they are winners already.
So, when you see blue-turfed Bronco
Stadium as you flip through Saturday's
late-night TV lineup(s), stop to watch
what is now - excepting Southern Cal
- the best program west of the Rockies.
Projected
2005 record: 10-2
|
|
BOISE
STATE
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 4 |
DL
- 4 |
RB
- 3.5 |
LB
- 4 |
WR
- 2.5 |
DB
- 2 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Jared Zabranskyi, 327-206-12, 2927
yds., 16 TD
Rushing: Lee Marks, 189 att.,
968 yds., 2 TD
Receiving: Drisan James, 40
rec., 568 yds., 1 TD
Scoring: Jon Helmandollar,
14 TD, 84 pts.
Punting: Kyle Stringer, 38
punts, 43.9 avg.
Kicking: None
Tackles: Korey Hall, 85 tot.,
39 solo
Sacks: Korey Hall, 4 sacks
Interceptions: Gerald Alexander,
5 for 50 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Quinton Jones,
21 ret., 21.0 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Austin Smith,
20 ret., 12.2 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
LB
Korey Hall |
|
|
|
|
BOISE
STATE |
|
|
OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 7 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
T.J. Acree-WR, Lawrence Bady-WR, Andy
Weldon-TE, Klayton Adams-C, M.J. Ansel-OG,
Tyler Jones-K |
DEFENSE:
Julius
Roberts-DE, Andy Avalos-WLB, Gabe Franklin-CB,
Chris Carr-ROV, Deshan Cabaong-FS |
|
|
2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
Jared Zabransky returns as the starting
quarterback for his junior year. His ability
to pass is decent, but his leadership and
offensive management are the biggest reasons
Zabransky took BSU to an undefeated regular
season, something his predecessor couldn't
do. Also Boise State's second leading rusher
with 326 yards (including an 85 yard TD
run), the approach with Zabransky brings
the balance this offense lacked that makes
it now unstoppable, not just a yardage-gainer
(though under Zabransky, the offensive production
went up, too). A QB like Zabransky can take
BSU to that next national level - someone
who manages a game well and breaks the "We
have to throw first here in the WAC"
mentality. Backing up Zabransky will be
sophomore Taylor Tharp and RS freshman Bush
Hamdan. Tharp is exactly what the Broncos
require in a QB for passing needs (state
record-setter in Boulder prep) and leadership.
Hamdan is a dual threat and has an arm,
but isn't as far along as Tharp. Tharp will
be the first to come in of the two. Nick
Lomax (son of NFL pro bowl QB Neil Lomax)
will be red-shirted as a true freshman,
so Legedu Naanee, who asked to be switched
to the WR position midway through last season,
could always play QB in an emergency.
Running
Back
Boise State employed a "tailback by
committee" approach last year with
as many as eight different backs getting
significant carries. This worked well, and
the unknown variables each new RB brings
when inserted is a compliment to the fresh
legs supplied into the fourth. This trend
should continue - "if it ain't broke,
don't fix it", we say here. Only one
guy for Boise State had three times more
carries than the next RB, namely darting
senior tailback Lee Marks. Marks' 5.1 yards
per carry clip shows surprising resilience
to go with such a small stature. Marks,
a converted-CB, often gets lost behind his
blockers and he uses that to his advantage.
Boise State will almost certainly continue
to run this way again with so many TBs returning.
Backing Marks will be senior (former walk-on)
Jeff Carpenter. Senior Antwuan Carter is
the same compact, 5'9", 205lb type
of back as Carpenter, changing the pace
by punishing defenders in ways Marks doesn't.
Carpenter seems to have the softer hands,
so he's to see the more reps of the two.
Scat-type Quinton Jones averaged a whopping
9.1 yards per his 30 tries. However, Jones
has asked to (and will) play CB in addition
to occasional carries and lining up as a
wideout. Jon Helmandollar, a FB/TB match-up
nightmare, had more rushing TDs than any
back as he averaged 5.0 yards per clip (despite
the fact that most of his 46 carries came
in goal line situations). And there is quality
depth at FB, too (Brad Lau often starts).
What once was a WR's dream team now seems
to have shifted to these players - and others
we couldn't list due to space limitations.
Receiver
The real question is - who will be the other
starting WR opposite of junior Drisan James?
One possibility is Jerard Rabb, an outstanding
J.C.-transfer named first-team (J.C.) Gridwire
all-American last fall. Rabb has the size
so often lacking in the Potato Belt teams
(speedy too). Also a large-bodied JUCO-transfer,
former-prep 400 meter champ (senior) Chrisean
Christopher will again impact the unit.
Cole Clasen, a senior transfer from Oregon
State (to be a starter last fall before
transferring), will also figure in the mix.
Vinnie Perretta, a walk-on last fall who
earned himself an instant scholarship, exemplifies
how deep this unit goes and its work ethic.
Incoming Jeremy Childs is the cherry on
top of BSU's most anticipated corps in years.
Tight
End
Junior TE Derek Schouman earned the starting
TE spot as a true freshman, and he has impressed
ever since. Schouman was fourth in receptions
(even though out for five games), but his
18.9 yards per catch is a warning to foes
about just how far they are willing to throw
(to) him downfield. Junior Sherm Blaser
is also smallish and, too, will be sent
out far to occupy LBs/safeties, and Sophomore
Ryan Putnam represents the other eager TEs
with his larger size and plow-ahead blocking
abilities.
Offensive
Line
This may just be their best line ever, and
that's saying a lot with respect to the
last three one-loss bunches. Leading the
troupes is certain-NFL-prospect Daryn Colledge
at LT, a monster who holds all BSU weight-room
marks as well as the best-ever vertical
leap for any lineman (35.5"). Sophs
Tad Miller (LG) and Jeff Cavender (RT) represent
the surge of svelte, mobile spud-munchers
who fit this scheme perfectly (Jeff's twin
brother Pete has also started). Coaches
have brought in preseason Honorable Mention
(J.C.) all-American center Jadon Daily at
center. The quality that accompanies the
youth means this unit's upside is nothing
nice for foes hoping to find some (literal)
gaps.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
With seven starters back from the fourth-best
offense in the nation, expect even more.
Amusingly true, they will continue to rely
on their running attack and throw the occasional
pass (62% runs vs. 38% passes). The Boise
State offense has led the nation in scoring
in three of the last five seasons (and No.2
the other two), and their newfound balance
makes for dimensions most foes never come
close to stopping. The Liberty Bowl showed
how they get the most out of their efforts,
scoring 40 points with only 284 yards against
the nation's 15th-best defense. There's
no reason to expect any changes or different
results. Boise State's offense will score
quickly when needed, but is also now capable
of grinding and chewing clock (+5:28 advantage
per game). Listing all of the possible wrinkles
BSU employs would waste space, so realizing
the many ways the Broncos beat opponents
can only be done by waiting to see just
what Dan Hawkins and offensive coordinator
Chris Petersen create this time around.
This is college football at its finest -
a team approach means unlimited potential.
|
|
OT
Daryn Colledge
|
|
|
BOISE
STATE 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Jared
Zabransky-Jr (6-2, 203) |
Taylor
Tharp-So (6-2, 205)
Bush Hamdan-Fr (6-1, 187) |
FB |
Brad
Lau-Jr (5-11, 255) |
Jon
Helmandollar-So (5-11, 227) |
TB |
Lee
Marks-Sr (5-7, 181) |
Jeff
Carpenter-Sr (5-9, 197)
Antwaun Carter-Sr (5-7, 214) |
WR |
Cole
Clasen-Sr (5-8, 190) |
Josh
Smith-Sr (5-11, 182)
Jerard Rabb-So (6-2, 198) |
WR |
Drisan
James-Jr (5-11, 187) |
Legedu
Naanee-Jr (6-2, 230)
Chrisean Christopher-Sr (6-0, 176) |
TE |
Derek
Schouman-Jr (6-2, 211) |
Sherm
Blaser-Jr (6-3, 240) |
OT |
Daryn
Colledge-Sr (6-5, 298) |
Ryan
Clady-Fr (6-6, 312) |
OG |
Tad
Miller-So (6-4, 303) |
Tony
Volponi-Jr (6-4, 299) |
C |
Joe
Weigand-Jr (6-1, 286) |
Jadon
Dailey-Jr (5-11, 288)
Jeff Biederman-So (6-3, 282) |
OG |
Pete
Cavender-So (6-2, 289) |
Andrew
Woodruff-Fr (6-3, 324) |
OT |
Jeff
Cavender-So (6-2, 287) |
Ryan
Keating-Jr (6-4, 318) |
K |
Kyle
Stringer-Jr (5-8, 190) |
Jameson
Davis-Fr (5-9, 191) |
|
|
2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
The line will once again concentrate primarily
on stopping the run, rather than rushing
the passer. Boise State spent much of '04
in the nation's top five for rushing defense
(Louisville's 329 upped their average per
game over 25 yards for a 10th-ranked effort
by the end). The line is coached to plug
the running lanes first and worry about
the pass second (only 28 sacks, and only
27 in '03). However the addition of J.C.-transfers
Dennis Ellis (4.65-sec 40, 18.5 sacks, first-team
J.C. all-American) and savvy Tim Volk will
change/improve/balance this approach. Three
returning starters mean there is continuity
and technique in this gelled, accomplished
group. The line has been fairly small in
the past, comparatively speaking to major
I-A foes, but they accordingly well make
up for such with quickness and team play.
Georgia will test these principles right
off.
Linebacker
The loss of Andy Avalos will be huge, but
the return of two starters in all-WAC Korey
Hall (MIKE) and former walk-on Colt Brooks
(SAM) will equal a strong effort here. Both
now juniors, their thorough approaches mean
foes perceive no weaknesses. The question
is who will replace Andy Avalos (WILL).
Josh Bean (Calgary, Alberta) and weight
room LB-champ Jared Hunter will vie for
the starting spot with long time backup,
senior Chris Barrios (50yd INT return for
TD). Size issues here over 60 minutes will
be a concern when taking on their first
three foes. Otherwise, cutting their chops
on this offense in practice means this corps
is expecting (readily) the unexpected, so
over-pursuit won't one of their traits.
Defensive
Back
In 2004, Boise State was forced to use new
DBs as injuries hit. Dividends earned through
paying such dues are now evident - the Broncos
have experience in an area they didn't expect
to have coming into '05. Boise State does
return two starters. Oft-injured senior
free safety Cam Hall has the size and hitting
skills needed to intimidate, as do his backups.
Junior CB Gerald Alexander is solid in all
phases (especially one-on-one), and his
compliment, soph Austin Smith, plays much
bigger than his 5'9" size suggests.
All of the Bronco DBs like to play on "an
island", and their keen ball-hawking
senses mean they dare opposing QBs to beat
them, and the results (23 INTs was second
in the nation) reflect that this won't soon
stop. In ranking 99th for pass defense,
but 44th for efficiency, they show that
shutting down the run to force opponents
to the air doesn't equal them giving up
huge plays and/or points here.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
You've heard it many times - a "bend,
but don't break" philosophy requires
an exceptional team approach/performance
to succeed. Ala the Liberty Bowl, this defense
can give up lots of yards, yet still contain
a foe as best they can for worthy, competitive
results. The emphasis is to shut down the
running attack first, to then force opponents
to throw into daring schemes. This works
extremely well for them, as you then see
swarms of Broncos following a play wherever
it goes, supporting each other and "over-tackling"
(similar to FSU and Miami). They have to,
a very apparent fact as the season starts
with no room for error. With seven returning
starters, the defense will be outstanding
by WAC standards (though, Fresno will push
them, too). But, after (the) last (three)
year's showing, the nation will eagerly
measure these guys through how they play
the major non-cons.
|
|
Boise
State Defense
|
|
|
BOISE
STATE 2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Mike
Dominguez-Jr (6-2, 251) |
Tim
Volk-Jr (6-3, 260) |
DT |
Andrew
Browning-Jr (6-0, 278) |
Dan
Gore-So (6-5, 281) |
DT |
Alex
Guerrero-Sr (6-1, 296) |
Nick
Schlekeway-So (6-4, 261) |
DE |
Mike
G. Williams-Jr (6-3, 245) |
Mike
T. Williams-Fr (6-4, 240) |
SLB |
Colt
Brooks-Jr (6-1, 209) |
Ben
Chuckovich-Sr (6-0, 217) |
MLB |
Korey
Hall-Jr (6-1, 231) |
Josh
Bean-So (6-2, 229) |
WLB |
Chris
Barrios-Jr (5-11, 220) |
Jared
Hunter-Jr (6-4, 225) |
CB |
Quinton
Jones-Jr (5-9, 186) |
Rashaun
Scott-So (5-10, 186) |
CB |
Gerald
Alexander-Jr (6-0, 197) |
Chad
McKibben-Jr (5-10, 182) |
ROV |
Austin
Smith-So (5-9, 170) |
Marty
Tadman-So (5-11, 176) |
FS |
Cam
Hall-Sr (6-1, 200) (susp.) |
Marcosus
Le Blanc-Jr (6-0, 200)
Ashlei Nyong-Dunham-So (5-10, 210) |
P |
Kyle
Stringer-Jr (5-8, 190) |
.. |
|
|
|
2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker/Punter
Kyle Stringer will handle both the placekicking
and the punting for the Broncos. A former walk-on
who won a scholarship before his freshman classes
even started, Stringer fortunately had only 38
punts last campaign, so his average of 43.9 yards
per would have otherwise placed him eighth in
the nation (not enough to qualify). Pushing Stringer
will be grey-shirted local Jameson Davis, another
combo guy. Net results also have been strong (reflecting
the team defensive approach) in both coverage
areas, so expect more of the same, more of the
same
Return
Game
Like in the secondary, now-departed Chris Carr
missed enough action (broken collar bone) so that
the Broncos had to try several other players at
both return positions. Quinton Jones and Austin
Smith both held their own well. Jones seems to
be the leading candidate now, with speed and moves
that could equal six anytime.
|
|