Boise State vs University of New Mexico *SENIOR NIGHT*

*SENIOR NIGHT EDITION*

#21 Boise State University (-27) vs University of New Mexico

Date: Saturday, November 16th, 2019 

Time: 8:15MT 

Stadium: Alberston’s “Bronco” Stadium  (36,387)

TV: ESPN 2

Know Thy Enemy

The Red Menace will invade ‘The Blue’ on Saturday Night as the Lobos of the University of New Mexico take on the Broncos of Boise State. 

Traditionally the Lobo, spanish for “wolf,” is respected for his cunning, feared for his prowess, and is the leader of the pack, but the 2019 Football Lobos are more like the runts of the Mountain West conference. Many fans have moved on with football and are excited for basketball, a sport in which the Lobos are actually competitive. 

New Mexico (2-7, 0-5) had an extremely positive start to the 2019 season, winning their opening game against Sam Houston State, getting a nice 1.1 million dollars to go to Notre Dame and beating in-state rival New Mexico State. Since that win against NMSU, the Lobos have lost six straight contests, and if that isn’t enough, the cherry on top is that they have lost all five of their conference games so far this season. If there is a silver lining to their struggles, it is that during their losing streak they have not lost by more than 14 points, which means they are keeping games close. So they’ve got that going for them. Which is nice.

  The Lobos feature a hybrid offense that consists of elements from the triple option, zone read and spread concepts. Their goal is to move the ball down the field with run-option plays as well as play action pass. Rarely will you see a straight drop back pass by the New Mexico quarterback. The Lobos are led on offense by senior running back Ahmari Davis, who not leads the team in rushing, but also the Mountain West overall, with his 102.9 yard per game average. 

“Cellar dweller” comes to mind when it comes to the Lobo defense. New Mexico ranks near or at the bottom of the Mountain West in every major defensive category. They rank 12th in total defense, giving up an average of close to 500 yards per game. They are also dead last in passing defense, giving up over 335 yards through the air each game. Now again, if there is a silver lining to it all they rank 6th in rushing defense, giving up only 155 yards per game. 

The Lobos are lead by head coach Bob Davie, who is in his eighth year at New Mexico. The University has been patient with Davie, who has only two winning seasons during his tenure with the school. Many believe that Davie is on the hot seat and this could be his last season with the Lobos. 

Boise State and New Mexico have met ten times on the football field, dating back to 1999. BSU and UNM have played annually since the 2011 season, with the Broncos winning seven of the eight matchups. New Mexico’s only win came in an upset victory in 2015 in Boise.  

What Happened Last Year

It was a coming out party for senior receiver Sean Modster as his three touchdown grabs lead the way as Boise State took care of New Mexico 45-14 on a Friday night in Albuquerque. 

The Broncos took control of the game in a hurry as they took the opening drive 75 yards in 6 plays for an early 7-0 lead. Boise State would pile on with two more touchdowns, one of which was a defensive scoop and score, and a field goal to take a 24-7 lead into the locker room. 

The second half was much like the first, as the Broncos would score three more touchdowns. The only points the Lobos could muster in the second half came on an 86 yard punt return from Marcus Hayes early in the fourth quarter. 

Boise State’s Sean Modster lead the way with 9 catches for 129 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Alexander Mattison added 145 yards rushing and a score. 

Players to Watch 

NEW MEXICO

Rs.SO., Tevaka Tuioti, QB #8

Tuioti (too-ee-OH-tee) is a sophomore out of Long Beach, California. The Lobos have had three different quarterbacks play this season, but Tuioti has played in seven games and has started the last two games. Tuioti has thrown for just over 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns with six INT’s this season. In their last game against Nevada, he threw for 237 yards and completed 52% of his passes. Tuioti can be inconsistent and sporadic, but don’t fall asleep or he will make you pay. 

SR., Ahmari Davis, RB #28 

Davis a senior out of Oakland, California, is the biggest bright spot for the Lobos. Daivs leads the Mountain West in rushing, averaging over 100 yards per game. Davis has rushed for 823 yards and seven touchdowns this season, including a 200 yard performance against Hawai’i. Davis could only manage 80 yards and a touchdown in their most recent loss to Nevada. 

Rs.SR., Alex Hart, LB #33

Alex Hart is no Brian Urlacher, but he has been a solid player for the Lobos. A senior out of  Prior Lake, Michigan, he is the team’s leading tackler with 65 on the season. Hart also has three sacks and three pass breakups on the year. Against Nevada, Hart made four tackles, one tackle for loss and had a sack. 

Boise State 

With Saturday being Senior Night for the Broncos all ‘Players to Watch’ will feature Boise State Seniors as a ‘thank you’ to their contributions to the Program.

Sr., Kekoa Nawahine, S #10 

Nawahine is a local product out of Meridian, where he went to Rocky Mountain High school. Nawahine has been a constant fixture in the Bronco secondary since coming to campus. As a Freshman he saw action in 12 games and has been a starter since his sophomore year. This season Nawahine has been the turnover producer on a team that has had its problems creating turnovers. Nawahine leads the team in both interceptions and fumble recoveries with two of each. 

Rs.SR., Akilian Butler, WR #7 

Butler has been somewhat overshadowed by a deep position group during his time at Boise State. However, Butler has made the most of his opportunities and has been a solid pass catcher for the Broncos. Butler has played in 44 games in his career, and has set career marks in both receiving yards and yards per game average and is on pace to set career marks in both receptions and touchdowns. Butler has caught 21 passes and two touchdowns this season for the Broncos. Last week, Butler caught three passes for 22 yards and reeled in the only receiving touchdown for the Broncos. 

Rs.SR., Eric Sachse, K #36

Sachse, like sacks, hasn’t been in Boise all that long, but has made an impact on the Broncos football team. A transfer student from D-III Trinity College, he has brought a refreshing stability to the kicking game for Boise State. Sachse had quite the debut for the Broncos, matching a Boise State single-game record with five field goals (going 5-for-5 on attempts) and hitting all three PAT attempts against Florida State. Sachse also hit the game winning field goal last week against Wyoming in overtime. On the season, Sachcse is 12 of 14 on field goal attempts, with a long of 41 yards and 38 of 39 on PATs. 

Other Seniors on the team: 

Garrett Collingham, TE #5

Even Tyler, S #5

Jaylon Henderson, QB #9 

Khafari Buffalo, S #14

John Hightower, WR #16

Matt Pistone, TE #47

Nicholai Pitman, LS #50

Sam Whitney, STUD #53

Matt Locher, DT #54

David Moa, DT #55

Emmanuel Fesili, NT #57

Garrett Larson, C #67

John Molchon, LG #77

Eric Quevedo, RG #79

Chase Hatada, DE #93

Sonatane Lui, NT #98

Focus Position Group: Linebackers

Boise State’s defense will face a team this week that loves to use the play action fake to cause the defense to hesitate, which can lead to open receivers. Last week, Wyoming used the RPO (Run/Pass Option) to success numerous times by baiting the linebackers into thinking they were running the ball and then throwing the ball right where the defender once was. This week the Linebackers have to play more disciplined football and trust their defensive linemen teammates to stop the run so they can defend the short pass. 

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

1. More Offense

Boise State’s offense has had more ups and downs than a Lagoon roller coaster the last three weeks. Three weeks ago against BYU, the offense scored on their first possession of the game but then didn’t score another touchdown until the fourth quarter. Against San Jose State, the offense looked much better, scoring seven touchdowns, including five straight touchdowns in the second half. Last week the offense struggled again, scoring a touchdown on their first drive and then not again until the fourth quarter. Chase Cord Started against BYU and Wyoming and Bachmeier did not play. If Boise State wants to send the seniors out with a bang they need either Bachmeier to be back or Cord to step his game up. 

2. Force a Turnover

    Last year Boise State featured a ‘Turnover Throne’ that sat on the sidelines for every football game. When a defender cause a turnover, they were crowned the ‘king of chaos’ and given a seat on the throne. At this point last season Boise State’s defense had caused 12 fumbles and intercepted five passes. This season the defense has intercepted five passes but has only forced six fumbles. Last season against New Mexico, the Broncos were able to force three turnovers. If the offense can’t get things going the defense has to force some early turnovers and take the Lobos out of the game.  

3. Last ride on the Blue

    For nineteen Seniors and possibly Ezra Cleveland and Curtis Weaver, who could leave early for the NFL, Saturday night will be the last time they play a regular season home game on the Blue. The Blue has been a historically hard place to come in a win a game as the visiting team. Since the year 1999, Boise State has only lost 7 times at home during the regular season and Boise State has also not lost on “Senior Day” since 1998. Saturday will be emotionally charged. Look for the Broncos to send their seniors out on a high note.  

Editorial Note: 

New Mexico has been in the sporting news lately due to the tragic death of defensive lineman Nahje Flowers, who passed away at the age of 21 on November 5th. New Mexico and Air Force postponed their November 9th matchup to November 23rd so this week's game against Boise State will be the Lobos first action since the tragic loss. The Broncos will either face a team still reeling with the fact that a ‘brother’ is no longer with them or a team that has been forged through fire and is ready to fight. I think the Broncos are going to face an emotionally charged Lobos team that will do all that is within their power to fight for and honor their passed teammate, brother and friend.  

Broncos get all they can handle, but the emotions of senior day and the home crowd propel them to an undefeated home record for just the second time during the Harsin era. 

Boise State 31, New Mexico 21