Boise State University (+3) at Oregon State University

Date: Saturday, September 3, 2022

Time: 8:30pm MT

Stadium: Reser Stadium (temp Capacity 26,407)

TV: ESPN

TV Commentators: Beth Mowins and Kirk Morrison

Radio: KBOI 670 AM

Commentators: Bob Behler and Pete Cavender

Know Thy Enemy

Buzz will be in the air as a chainsaw wielding Benny Beaver donning his orange and black welcome Boise State to Reser Stadium in Corvallis, OR Saturday night. But it will be the Broncos who hope to be drinking “Beaver Blood” when the clocks hit zero.

The Broncos open up their 2022 campaign on the road for the fourth time in the last five seasons and again open up their season against a quality opponent. Oregon State is hoping to build upon last season (after finishing 7-6 in 2021), which included getting back to a bowl game for the first time since 2013. While most were elated to get back to a bowl game, the Beavers did limp to the finish line losing 5 of their last 8 games.

The Chainsaws won’t be the only thing buzzing around campus this season. The Beaver faithful are buzzing with how good this Oregon State defense has a chance to be this year. Some say that this will be the best OSU defense they have had in the better part of a decade. With the return of Omar Speights and John McCartan, the addition of Andrew Chatfield, and the improvement of Cory Stover, the Beavers linebacking corp has major upside. Combine that with what could be a top-3 secondary in the Pac-12, Oregon State defense could be a tough dam to break for the Broncos on Saturday.

Most are hopeful the OSU offense will be better than 2021, but expect much of the same in 2022. Oregon State does return a Tight End Luke Musgrave who can’t be ignored and third year quarterback Chance Nolan has shown some improvement over the offseason. But the Beavers strength, like a year ago, will be their running game. The Beavers return three starters along the offensive line this season which bullied opponents in the run game a season ago averaging over 200 yards per game on the ground. Oregon State has been among the top four Pac-12 running games the past three seasons and all things point to the same thing happening in 2022.

Oregon State is coached by Jonathan Smith. Smith is entering his 5th season as head coach of the Beavers and has an overall record of 16-28. Smith Played quarterback at Oregon State from 1998-2001. Smith was also the quarterbacks coach for Boise State under Christ Petersen in 2012-2013.

The Broncos and the Beavers have had many memorable matches dating back to 1986. In 2003 there was the “Forward Progress Game” when Oregon State QB Derek Anderson seemed to fumble the football on a sneak attempt on 4th-and-inches with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. Officials blew the play dead and called that the quarterback's forward progress had been stopped prior to losing the football and the result of the play was a first down. The Beavers would run out the clock and win the game 26-24 snapping Boise State's 14-game win streak.

2006 was Ian Johnson’s “Coming Out Party” where he rushed for 240 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 42-14 blow out of the Beavers on “The Blue.” In 2010 ESPN’s “College GameDay” came to Boise where the #3 Broncos hosted the #24 Beavers in the marquee Saturday Night matchup and Kellen Moore led the Broncos to a 37-24 victory with his 3 touchdown passes.

In the 9 times these two schools have played, three have been decided by less than a touchdown. The home team has won 7 of the nine contests and the Beavers hold a 5-4 advantage in the series.

What Happened Last Time

Back in 2016 Boise State headed to Corvallis, OR looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2011. Oregon State was coming off their first win in 11 games after beating Idaho State in their home opener. . Jeremy McNichols stole the show that afternoon, rushing for 208 and scoring four touchdowns. McNichols did most of this damage in the first half, as the junior running back ran for 146 yards and touchdowns of 5,6, and 70 yards, and caught a 6-yard scoring pass.

Quarterback Brett Rypien had a solid afternoon completing 19 of 36 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown. David Moa led the defense with 5 tackles and 2.5 sacks on the day.

It was a tale of two halves for the Broncos as they took a commanding 31-7 lead into halftime, but were only able to amass 77 yards and one touchdown in the second half in their 38-24 victory.

Players to Watch

OREGON STATE

JR., LUKE MUSGRAVE, TE #88

Musgrave was third on the Beavers in receiving yards last season, and with departures in the receiving corps his numbers could see a sharp jump in 2022. Musgrave is already drawing some national attention, having just been named to the John Mackey Award watch list. With his size, standing at 6-6, 250lbs, Musgrave is able to fight off defenders for contested catches, and is also able to jam up pass rushers at the line of scrimmage.

There are plenty of questions over who will be Oregon State’s number one running back and wide receiver, but Musgrave is a lock to be a big contributor to the offense this season. The Broncos were susceptible to letting pass catching Tight Ends have big games in 2021 allowing opposing tight ends to have over 60-yards receiving three times last season.

JR., OMAR SPEIGHTS, LB #1

There is little doubt about who the best defensive player is for the Beavers. Speights was second on the team in tackles last season and was named All Pac-12 Honorable Mention. Speights has been tapped as not only the leader of the linebackers, but the defense as a whole. With the defense implementing a more aggressive scheme, Speights could be in line for a big season. He’s already gaining notice from the media, having been named to the All Pac-12 Preseason First Team. He’s being projected as a mid round NFL Draft prospect.

SR., REJZOHN WRIGHT, DB #2

After replacing his brother Nahshon as a starting cornerback in Oregon State’s secondary, Wright broke out in 2021. He tied for team leads in pass breakups and interceptions, and his 51 total tackles was sixth best on the team. The Beavers secondary has been touted as one of the top in the Pac-12 with Wright looking to be the leader of that unit. Combine the talent of the secondary unit for the Beavers and the lack of proven receivers from the Broncos and it could be a recipe for disaster on Saturday for Boise State.

BOISE STATE

SR., HANK BACHMEIER, QB #19

2022 will be Hank Bachmeier’s swan song in a Boise State uniform. Up to this point Hank has been good, but not great. Has been solid, but not spectacular and for the most part that’s okay. Hank checks a lot of the boxes you’d want in your quarterback. Toughness? Check. Competitive? Check. Hank has made some impressive plays, but has also had some head scratchers. The senior gunslinger has improved every season and this year all signs are pointing to even further growth. Saturday will show us what kind of year Hank will have and for Bronco Nation we hope 2022 will be one for ages.

Rs.SR., STEFAN COBBS, WR #5

Cobb took a major jump in production from 2020-2021 and hopefully will take an even bigger leap as Hank’s top target. The senior out of Fort Worth, Tx had 34 catches for 421 yards and 5 touchdowns last season and with the departure of Kahlil Shakir to the NFL the Broncos are looking for the “next man up.” In a receiver group that has few proven receivers Cobbs will be called upon to lead this group. Boise State faces a tough secondary on Saturday but look for Cobbs to take that next step.

6th Yr., TYREQUE JONES, NB #21

Tyreque Jones switched positions from safety to nickel this offseason. The sixth year senior from San Bernardino, CA had been part of a safety tandem that made any offensive coordinator lose sleep leading up to playing the Broncos. But coaches needed to fill the shoes of longtime standout Kekaula Kaniho at the Nickel spot. Jones has taken the position change like a fish to water and has said, “I understand that type of position for our defense and how big it is…I’m all about the team and what's best for the team to win… I’m all on board for that.”

Focus Position Group: Offensive line

It seems every year there is talk about the offensive line and every year we hear how it “should” be better than last. This year seems to be no different. Boise State’s big boys up front had a rough go of it in 2021 and it all started with the guy in the middle at Center. Boise State’s top center Kekani Holomalia-Gonzalez was sidelined all of last season which caused the Broncos to use four different players at center. The good news is that KHG is back and is fully healthy for this season.The Broncos also added transfer Cade Berseford at right tackle. Last year's unit never seemed to really get in a groove in either blocking in the run game or protecting the quarterback. With 40% of the offensive line new it will be interesting to see how they gel as a unit.

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

Healthy Holani

Everyone around the Boise State program knows how “special” George Holani is. The senior has been the RB1 since he came onto the scene as a freshman rushing for over 1,000 yards in his first season. Injuries have plagued the running back, but this season he seems to be healthy once again and ready to run the rock. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier said, “He’s a baller…there is a confidence that he's going to get yards.” Offensive Coordinator Tim Plough said, “We're not taking him out of the game unless we have to.” No doubt the Broncos are a better team with Holani in the backfield and having a healthy Holani will go a long way in helping the Broncos on gameday.

I’m New Here

There are some new faces on this year’s Boise State team who are looking to make an impact right away. On defense you have transfers George Tarlas and Cortez Hogans who look to have an impact on the defensive line. On offense true freshman running back Ashton Jeanty looks to be the other part of a solid 1-2 punch with George. Whether its guys who are brand new to the team or just now getting an opportunity to play, new faces will have to step up for the Broncos this week.

Sealed Tight

Many around the Oregon State program think that there are five players who legitimately deserve touches at running back for the Beavers. The runshing attack has been the Hallmark of the Oregon State offense for years now and this year it will be no different. Last season Boise State struggled at times to shut down the opposing run game giving up an average of 4 yards per carry in 2021. Stopping the Beavers will start with stopping the run game on Saturday.

Editor Note:

Boise State is coming off their worst season since 1998. Oregon State is coming off their best season since 2013. Seven win seasons are not the “Standard” that Boise State has been used to, but seven wins for Oregon State has the fan base brimming with hope. Both Programs are at a crossroads and a good 2022 season will set the trajectory for these programs into the future.

Coach Avalos was definitely not the only reason that the Broncos struggled last season, but he wasn’t exempt from blame either. This season has potential to be a really great year for the Broncos and if things fall their way it could even be one of those “special” seasons people talk about for years to come.

18 of the 22 starters for the Broncos are seniors. This is a very veteran group that has played a lot of football. Nothing should surprise this team or phase this team. Saturday will be a highly emotional day for Bronco Nation as the fans hope to get the bitter taste of 2021 out of their mouths. The sweet taste of victory on Saturday and 2021 would be all but a distant memory, a loss and we could have a recurring nightmare on our hands.

Both teams and media outlets think that this could be a special year for their respective programs. I too am drinking the Blue and Orange kool aid and think Boise State is much improved and could go on a magical run!

Boise State starts their quest to regain their crown as a Group of 5 power.

Boise State 27, Oregon State 17

Rev's Rundown

Boise State (0-0) (+3) at Oregon State University (0-0) 2022