Boise State University (-15.5) vs Utah State University

Date: Saturday, October 24th, 2020

Time: 5:10pmMT

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

TV:FS1

Broadcasters: Kevin Fitzgerald and Robert Smith

Know Thy Enemy

In classic 2020 fashion, Boise State will open their 2020 season 43 days late in front of an unsold stadium. But Bronco football is back and nothing could be better!

Boise State opens their 8-game 2020 regular season against a common conference foe, Utah State. Utah State, (0-0,0-0) finished the 2019 season with an over-all record of 7-6 and finished third in the conference with a record of 6-2. 2019 was an up and down year for the Aggies which was not what anyone in Logan expected.

The 2020 Aggies will look a lot different than previous years, starting with their coaching staff. The Aggies replaced both offensive and defensive coordinators, as well as making some changes to their position coaches.

In the past, the Aggies featured an up-tempo offense that would spread the ball around the field. Under new Offensive Coordinator Bodie Reeder the Aggies will go fast, but not as fast. Reeder said, “We'll have the ability to change speeds, I guess is the way to put it. We're still going to be up-tempo, but have the ability to put the brakes on. We'll probably use more tight ends than what they had used last year.” The offense will have two new quarterbacks, Jason Shelley, a University of Utah transfer and Andrew Peasley. Coach Anderson said both will play at some point during the season. Utah State will also need production out of some new faces as their top rusher and top pass catcher are no longer with the program.

On defense, the Aggies struggled at times in 2019 allowing over 30 points in seven of their thirteen games. Utah State does however return their leading tackler from a year ago, in safety Troy Lefeged Jr and their leading pass rusher, defensive end Nick Heninger.

The Aggies are coached by Gary Anderson who is in his second straight year, and his sixth overall year with the program.

Boise State and Utah State have been opponents on the gridiron since 1977 where the Broncos have an all-time record of 19-5 against the Aggies. The Broncos currently own a four game win streak. Utah State’s lone road win in the series happened back in 1996.

What Happened Year

In the second to last regular season game the Broncos traveled to Logan Utah just days before Thanksgiving. But the Broncos were not very good guests as they Stampeded past the Aggies.

Boise State needed only four plays to score on its opening drive. John Hightower shedded tacklers on a 30-yard catch-and-run to put the Broncos ahead 7-0. Utah State evened the score on a 7-yard catch by Caleb Repp.

Then the dam burst, and Boise State consumed the Aggies on both sides of the ball. Jalen Walker returned an interception 15 yards with 5:14 left in the first quarter to put the Broncos ahead for good. Holani followed with his Statue of Liberty touchdown late in the period — which he set up with a 36-yard run a play earlier. Boise State kept it rolling into the second quarter. Holani and Robert Mahone each scored on a 1-yard run and Khalil Shakir hauled in a 14-yard pass from Henderson with 19 seconds left in the half to make it 42-7. Avery Williams added an exclamation point by returning a punt 74 yards early in the third quarter to extend Boise State's lead to 49-7.

The Broncos would finish their scoring for the night with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Henderson to CT Thomas which would give them a commanding 56-7 lead. The Aggies would add a pair of touchdowns, one late in the third and late in the fourth to bring the final score to 56-21.

Players to Watch

UTAH STATE

Rs.JR., JASON SHELLEY, QB #15

Jason Shelley is the new man on campus this season for the Aggies. A transfer from University of Utah, Shelley brings some Power-5 experience to the Aggies. The upside on Shelley is that he is athletic and can be explosive. The downside is that he is a streaky passer and not always the best decision maker.

SR., JAYLEN WARREN, RB #20

Jaylen Warren will be asked to lead, what is expected to be, a deep running back group for the Aggies this season. Warren finished last season as the second best running back finished with just shy of 550 yards and five touchdowns. Warren has all the skills to be a three-down back for the Aggies this season. Last season against the Broncos, Warren ran the ball eight times for 39 yards.

SR., TROY LEFEGED JR., SAFETY, #3

Lefeged led the team a season ago with 104 tackles, which included 2.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss, while adding three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his first year with the program. Lefeged is part of a senior safety duo alongside Shaq Bond. Both players will be key in the success of the Utah State Secondary.

BOISE STATE

Rs.SR., BROCK MILLER, WLB #9

Brock Miller is set to play his first and only season as a Bronco. The N.C. State grad transfer is looking to make an immediate impact on the Bronco Defense. Last season as a part of the Wolfpack, Miller started 11 of 12 games, recording 40 tackles (23 solo). He also had 7 tackles for loss and a sack. He seems to be Defensive Coordinator Jeff Schmedding’s “swiss army knife” lining up at both will and mike linebacker as well as coming off the edge in some packages and playing nickel in others.

Rs.SO., DEMITRI WASHINGTON, STUD #38

Boise State has been known to produce some major pass rushers in recent history and most recently Curtis Weaver. Weaver has since moved onto the NFL which leaves Demitri Washington as the “next man up.” Washington appeared in all 14 games last season, registering 4.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles-for-loss. Look for Washington to start his era as the Broncos top pass rusher.

Rs.SO, SCOTT MATLOCK, DT #99

The pride of Homedale, Scott Matlock is poised to have a breakout year for the Broncos. Whether he is trying to channel some of Curtis Weaver’s mojo or not, Matlock will don a new jersey number this year switching from #62 to #99. With quite a few changes to the defensive line this season, D-line coach Spencer Danielson will be looking for players like Matlock to make that jump from role player to impact player.

Focus Position Group: Quarterback

It wouldn’t be a Week 1 Rev’s Rundown without talk of the Boise State Quarterback! Well here it is. Hank Bachmeier was named the starting quarterback this week when the Week 1 depth chart came out. No one is surprised by that, but what Bronco Nation is wanting to find out is if Bachmeier has learned anything from a year ago. Can he make faster/better decisions? Will he learn to avoid the big hit? Can he stay healthy for an entire season? We will see Saturday afternoon if the young QB has matured over the off season. Coach Harsin seems to think his quarterback has progressed, saying, “[Bachmeier has gotten better] in the little details...why we run plays...that coach mentality.” If the Broncos want to have a successful 2020 campaign it all begins with #19.

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

Who’s Your Daddy?

Legendary coach Herman Boone was once quoted to say, “Once you get on that bus you won’t have no mama no more. You’ve got your brothers on the team and your daddy.” When the Broncos step onto that field late Saturday afternoon there will be no mamas in the stands to play for. All they will have is their brothers on the team and their daddy. If the Broncos want to win Saturday, they will have to find ways to create their own hype and keep the energy level high.

Consistency is Key

Coach Harsin has talked alot about showing consistency since Fall camp has opened. Harsin did say that in certain positions there has been more consistency especially from players that have been around the program. Last year we saw some inconsistency in all three phases of the game. If the Broncos want to start 1-0 this week they will need to show that they can be consistent and stay the course.

Focus the nervous energy

The x’s and o’s of Saturday will take care of themselves, but the key difference between a win and a loss on Saturday will be focusing the nervous energy that everyone will have and to just “cut it loose” and play. The team that can settle in and settle down first will end up winning the game.

Editorial Note:

If the 2020 Boise State football season had a theme song, it would be Elsa of Arendelle’s “Into the Unknown.” There are so many questions when it comes to the whole season, not just this Saturday against Utah State. There's no question however, that this team will be ready and excited to play come late Saturday afternoon. With this being the opening game for each team and the limited access to the teams, there’s little to know about each team when it comes to what they will bring to the table. This game will definitely come down to who prepared better, who settles down quicker and who can get the momentum early. Last year The Broncos were in control from the beginning and all signs point to that being the same on Saturday. Whatever happens Saturday it will be nice to have a little piece of normal back.

The Broncos are 5-1 in season openers under coach Harsin. Boise State is also averaging 31.6 points in those season openers. Also worth mentioning, Boise State has not lost a home opener since 2001. Look for Boise State to continue their winning ways at home with an easy victory.

Boise State 35, Utah State 17

Rev's Rundown

Revs Rundown 2020 Week One: Boise State University vs Utah State University