2011 Boise State Football

BOISE– Going into Saturday night’s scrimmage, all eyes were on the Boise State offense. That side of the ball was a concern for the team following the first scrimmage held eight days earlier. When the final scrimmage wrapped up, both players and coaches said that they were happy with the way the offense had improved. Based on the scoring format, the offense beat the defense 26 to 20. Quarterback Kellen Moore threw for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns, and some lesser known players stepped up to make some big plays. Another thing that head coach Chris Petersen was happy about was the play of his backup quarterbacks, Joe Southwick and Grant Hedrick. The two used their feet to scramble for over sixty yards. But it wasn’t just the production numbers that pleased Petersen, it was the look that his two running quarterbacks gave to the Bronco defense. “We play to Kellen’s strengths if he is in there, and if those other guys are in there we’re going to play to their strengths,” Petersen said. “But I think the really good thing about it is that our defense is going to see a lot of running quarterbacks that can not only run zone read, but scramble well. So, they need to see a lot of that and they got a little taste of that tonight.” Southwick had three rushes and 37 yards on the night, while Hedrick ran for 26 yards and a score. The two also threw the ball well. Southwick had passing touchdown, while Hedrick completed nine of ten passes. That versatility also caught the eye of starting quarterback Kellen Moore. “That’s that little element that certainly I’m not really going to help with the team there,” Moore Said. “So they try to throw a few other guys who certainly have that ability. I think it helps the defense to stay a little bit more honest.”

Coach Pete probably won’t admit it, but the most crucial position for the Boise State Broncos is quarterback.

Over the last three seasons Kellen Moore has been not only one of the most impressive players on the Broncos, but he’s been close to tops in the nation.

But what happens if Kellen goes down?

Who is waiting in the wings to take over one of the highest flying offenses in the nation?

The answer has two parts.

The first is sophomore quarterback Joe Southwick.

Bronco Nation had an opportunity to see Joe get into the action during the 2010 season.  He threw his first career touchdown and was steady in mop up duty during many BSU blowouts.

This spring he has continued growing both as a quarterback and a teammate to the pleasure of Coach Pete.

“Joe’s been here a while now and sometimes it’s hard to see those big jumps, but I think we’re seeing them in him, said Chris Petersen.”

While Joe has established himself as a quality number two guy, freshman Grant Hedrick (the second part of the answer) has emerged as a guy that will likely be able to step in as well.

During the first scrimmage of the spring he showed both his ability to run and throw in an offense he is still coming to grips with.

“Grant everyday is making progress,” said Coach Pete.  “You know the system is still pretty new to him because of red-shirting and running the scout team.”

Joe, Grant, and even Kellen have all spent time running the scout team as freshman.

Now they’re all taking reps together and are paying special attention to the performance of one another because they know their growth as players hinges on their ability to work with one another.

“[We] learn from each others mistakes and successes and I think the three of us work really well,” said quarterback Kellen Moore.  “We have a lot of fun together.”

Fun is why the guys play the game, but the work Southwick and Hedrick put in during the off season is going to be what makes or breaks their opportunities once the season comes.

“If they keep the pressure on themselves from now through the summer time those guys will be ready to play,” believes Coach Pete.

The Broncos spring scrimmage is April 16th.

 

BOISE — The college football season might still be more than five months away, but six Boise State Broncos have already been honored by the 2011 GoDaddy.com Preseason All-America Team presented by NationalChamps.net.

Timberline High School gradand BSU offensive lineman Nate Potter was the only Bronco selected to the All-America first team.  The 300 pound Boise native is a two time (2009-2010) All-WAC selection.

Senior quarterback Kellen Moore and senior defensive lineman Billy Winn were named to the GoDaddy.com second team.

Moore, a Heisman finalist a year ago, was named a first team All-American by the Football Writers of America following the 2010 season and was also a Maxwell Award finalist.

Winn is a two time All-WAC selection and wracked up a total of 28 sacks last fall.

Center Thomas Byrd and defensive end Shea McClellin were placed on the third team.

Byrd is a three year starter and received All-WAC honors following the 2010 campaign.

Last fall McCellin lead the Broncos with 9.5 sacks and scored two defensive touchdowns.

The five Broncos named to the first, second, and third teams is the most by any school in the entire nation.

Senior running back Doug Martin received an honorable mention.

Martin lead Boise State in rushing during the 2010 season with 1,260 and 12 touchdowns.

 

 

Boise State University will have its football game against Fresno State nationally televised by ESPN for the 11^thstraight year when the Broncos travel to central California for a non-conference game on Oct. 7 (Friday) at Bulldog Stadium.  Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (PT).

The Broncos hold a 9-1 record over the Bulldogs in nationally broadcast games starting in 2001 when Boise State upset eighth ranked Fresno State, 35-30 in Fresno.

Fresno State’s only win in the past 10 years came during the 2005 season with the Bulldogs handing Boise State a 27-7 loss in Fresno.

Boise State has dominated Fresno State the past three seasons winning by average of 39.7 points-per-game.  The Broncos defeated the Bulldogs 61-10 in 2008; 51-34 in 2009; and last year shutout Fresno State for the first time 51-0 in Bronco Stadium.

All games the past 10 years came with both schools as members of the Western Athletic Conference.

Boise State’s all-time record against Fresno State is 9-4.

The two teams will be in different leagues this season as Boise State moves into the Mountain West Conference starting this year.  Fresno State, along with current WAC members the University of Nevada and the University of Hawai’i, will join the Broncos in the MWC at the start of the 2012 season.

Boise State starts the 2011 season also on ESPN in the Georgia Dome against the University of Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic.  Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. (ET).