2010 Record: 12-1 (7-1), Tied 1st WAC2010 Bowl Game: Maaco Las Vegas Bowl, Defeated Utah 26-3
2010 Schedule/Results
@ Virginia Tech, W 33-30
@ Wyoming, W 51-6
Oregon State, W 37-24
@ New Mexico State, W 59-0
Toledo, W 57-14
@ San Jose State, W 48-0
Louisiana Tech, W 49-20
Hawaii, W 42-7
@ Idaho, W 52-14
Fresno State, W 51-0
@ Nevada, L 34-31
Utah State, W 50-14
OFFENSE
519.5 yrads per game
Passing Leader: Kellen Moore, 3845 yards, 35 TDs, 6 INTs
Rushing Leader: Doug Martin, 1260 yards, 12 TDs
Receiving Leaders: Titus Young, 71-1215-9; Austin Pettis, 71-951-10; Tyler Shoemaker, 32-582-5
If you wanted to watch a college football offense that operated with ferocity of an NFL unit, then look no further than the Broncos of 2010. The Broncos simply had their way with people on offense, and if you question the strength of schedule, then I counter your argument with this statement. When you play a weak team, you should dominate them on every play. Boise State's offense did just that. Kellen Moore was our QB of the Year for the FBS, and while some argued that it should have been Andrew Luck, it was hard to argue with our selction of Moore. Moore, like Luck, is a quintessential QB. He does everything right, has a great arm, and plays smart. His numbers were incredible, and we'll get one more year of him.
Doug Martin had a huge season, which allowed Moore to be even better. Marting was a game changing back and his long TD run in the Vegas Bowl changed the tempo of the game for Boise State. Jeremy avery was huge for the Broncos as well, as he rushed for 11 TDs on the season to go with Martin's 12.
There has rarely been as dominant a receiver tandum as was the case with Young and Pettis. It's almost a crime to break them up heading into 2011, as theyboth graduate to play on Sundays. How do you simply replace 142 catches for 2166 yards and 19 TDs? You don't. Not with just two players. Shoemaker will have a chance to up his game heading into the spring, as he will be expected to be the top target for Moore.
The line is incredible, but not stocked with massive linemen. Boise goes the way of the old Broncos, with smaller, more athletic blockers, with only one starter over 300 lbs. Tackle Matt Slater and Guard Will Lawrence are both on their way to the next level, but every reserve on the two deep returns for more action next season.
DEFENSE
259.3 yards allowed per game
Tackles Leader: Jeron Johnson, 82
TFL Leader: Tyrone Crawford, 13.5
Sacks Leader: Shea McLellan, 8.5
INT Leader: Brandyn Thompson, 3
Passes Defended Leader: Brandyn Thompson, 7
The defense never stayed on the field for very long, as they came up with big plays and forced a ton of 3 and outs. Therefore, Jeron Johnson, a Safety, led the Broncos in tackles with 82. The real play came up front, as the line was a force in the backfield. Tyrone Crawford, Shea McLellan, and Billy Winn all were linemen who had double digit TFLs in 2010. Very few lines in the country had that much production in making plays behind the line. CB Winston Venable was just 0.5 away from joining them. This team was a pressing, aggressive unit that never let anyone off of the line without getting popped before they got started. The unit allowed opposing teams 14 points or less 8 times on the season, an amazing stat in a league that was known for having strong offense. Boise State, again, had the look and feel of an NFL defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
FG: Kyle Brotzman, 16/23
Punting: Kyle Brotzman, 44.06; Trevor Harman, 44.7
Punt Returns: Chris Potter, 13.32 per return, 1 TD
Kick Returns: Titus Young, 23.5 per return
Brotzman, in some camps, will be forever villified for missing the easy kicks that led to an upset loss at Nevada, keeping the Broncos from being undefeated and attaining a date in the BCS. The fact was that, while Brotzman did botch the game, Nevada was also just that good. True, with all of the expectations heaped on Botzman, he did not live up to his billing as a senior. His punting leg was solid, but his PK leg was feeling the strain a bit, and Harman got more opportunites to punt, having a bit more success than Brotzman did.
Young was one of the most versatile players in the country. His play at both receiver and at kick returner basically have him valued as an all-pupose athlete in most NFL circles. He is dynamic and solid, and has had one hell of a career for the Broncos. He'll be forever remembered in Boise as one of the central players in giving rise to the modern dominant era of BSU football.
FINAL NOTES
A team so talented is rare, considering that Boise is hardly a hotbed for recruiting today's star athlete. Boise doesn't have a long standing history of being a dominant program, but that's all changing. Chris Peterson keeps on warding off bigger suitors with bigger checkbooks to stay in Boise, and he is just the latest keeper of the gate to know success. The difference with Peterson is that he believes in the big picture and the long term. As long as he is in Boise, great times will keep on rolling. This team is one of the nation's best, despite conference affiliation, which will be in the Mountain West in 2011.
2011 NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
9/3 Georgia, 9/17 @ Toledo, 9/24 Tulsa, 10/1 Nevada, 10/8 @ Fresno State
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