Aggies Agonized

Boise State is in BCS conference mode. The Broncos escaped unscathed again Friday night to extend their undefeated season and inch closer to a BCS bowl. In their last five games, Boise State has scored 45 points or more. Last week’s toil on the turf in Boise resulted in a 63 point outburst and shellacking of Idaho. Since stunning Rose Bowl hopeful Oregon by nine points in week one, the Broncos romped through the next ten weeks of their schedule with relative ease. The 11-0 Broncos are ranked sixth in the nation and have developed a knack for knocking off opponents. They continued to clip the competition last night with a 52-21 pounding in Logan over Utah State.
The Aggies were outgained 572 yards to 363 in their latest loss. WAC leaders, Boise State, started the scoring last night. The Broncos intercepted a tipped pass on Utah’s opening possession. Quarterback, Kellen Moore, pitched an eight yard touchdown pass to Tommy Gallarda in the first quarter. It was Moore’s only touchdown in the game. Boise State grinded up Utah on the ground after discovering the prolific passing attack wasn’t working as well as planned. Utah State prepared their defense against Moore, so the Broncos altered their strategy. Boise State coach Chris Petersen switched to a ground assault, with Doug Martin and Jeremy Avery carrying the load. Both running backs finished with over 100 yards and a combined six touchdowns.
Martin rushed for a 17 yard scoring in the second quarter, and followed it up with a two yard plunge with under five minutes left before halftime. Avery gave Boise State a two touchdown padding when he notched the next touchdown from nine yards. It was Martin again rushing for the final touchdown of the half with a one yard score to give the visitors an insurmountable 35-14 edge. The Broncos reached the endzone on their final four possessions of the half using their impressively effective ground game. Avery and Martin were the one-two punch scoring late in the second, and they continued to pound it in after the half.
Friday marked Avery’s third consecutive 100 yard effort. He scored six touchdowns while carrying the ball just 16 times. Martin grabbed his third 100 yard game of the season as he set a career high with 121 yards rushing. Even with the running burst, the Broncos didn’t desist the pass. Moore compiled 233 yards through the air. He was 15 for 29 for the Broncos, while Aggies quarterback, Diondre Borel threw one interception and finished without a touchdown pass. He kept the Aggies alive with his speed to avoid sacks, but lacked the necessary weapons to counter Boise State. Utah scored on Robert Turbin’s 24 yard run in the second quarter. Their other two touchdowns came from Michael Smith’s swift shoes. Smith scurried into the end zone on a first quarter, 22 yard rush, and again from 12 yards out in the third. Martin and Avery each added a touchdown after the half. The blistering Broncos backfield battered Utah for a season-high 323 yards.
Nevada and New Mexico State stand in the way of a perfect Broncos season. The 7-3 Wolfpack present an intriguing opponent next weekend. Nevada has one of the nation’s most aggressive running units. They’ve bounced back with seven straight victories after beginning with a hapless 0-3 record. The Wolfpack’s dialed up offense has cruised through the WAC with a 6-0 standing to lead the conference. The defense ranks first in the conference and 22nd in the nation, at stopping the run. Petersen may have to revert to Moore and the passing game against the Wolfpack. Nevada is a nuisance at running the clock with numbing rushing plays. It’s imperative Boise State gets ahead early in the contest, and institutes their own version of sustained drives. If they do so, they needn’t worry about their undefeated season. New Mexico State is a 3-7 team in the middle of a four game slide. They will most certainly have to elevate their game to beat Boise. The New Mexico Aggies, just like the Utah State ones, are a minuscule threat to the Broncos.

Parting Points: "You don't get hurt running straight ahead...three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust offense. I will pound you and pound you until you quit."- Woody Hayes