Boise State University (0-1) (-16.5) at University of New Mexico (1-0) 2022

Boise State University (-16.5) at University of New Mexico

Date: Friday September 9, 2022

Time: 7:00pm MT

Stadium: University Stadium (39,224)

TV: CBS SportsNetwork

TV Commentators: Chris Lewis and Danny Kanell

Radio: KBOI 670 AM

Commentators: Bob Behler and Pete Cavender

 Know Thy Enemy

Boise State will be seeing red Friday night in Albuquerque and it won’t just be the cherry red of a Sandia sunset either. For the first time since 1973, the Lobos will take the field wearing cherry helmets in what Lobo faithful hope to be a sellout during their ‘red out’. New Mexico comes into this week feeling good after a 41-0 beat down of FCS program Maine. The Lobos have won eight straight vs FCS opponents and they are also 1-0 to start the season for the 7th time in the last 10 years. 

Like 44% of FBS football programs, the Lobos have a transfer as their starting quarterback. Former Kansas quarterback Miles Kendrick leads the new look offense in 2022. New Mexico is without their top two running backs from a season ago, both jumping ship to greener pastures via the transfer portal. Now leading the ground attack for the ‘Bos is running back Sherod White. The Lobos also have a ‘do-it-all’ player in Luke Wysong. On offense the Lobos will throw a little bit of everything at you from triple option to multiple receiver pass concepts. The offense was clicking last week as they scored touchdowns on six of their twelve possessions and totaled 437 total yards, their best output since week two of last season. 

There has been a lot of hype surrounding the Lobo defense going into 2022. With legendary coach Rocky Long returning for his third season as defensive coordinator. Over the last three seasons the defense has improved greatly. In 2019 the year before Long was hired, the Lobos were giving up an average of 37 points and 485 yards per game. Last season the Lobos averaged 28 points and 363 yards per game so in just two seasons they have improved by 9 points and over 100 yards in total defense. Defensive coordinator Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 defense depends on disguise and players able to tackle. Their best player, Joey Noble, is done but the defensive line is one place where they have good talent depth, despite not having much bulk.  All-in-all the Lobos defense is solid but has little to no depth so they will need their best players to stay healthy. 

New Mexico is coached by Albuquerque native Danny Gonzales. Gonzales played football for UNM from 1994-1998. Gonzales is in his third season as head coach of the Lobos and has a record of 6-14. Prior to coming to UNM Gonzales was the defensive coordinator at Arizona State under Herm Edwards. 

Friday will be the 13th time that these two schools have met on the gridiron. Boise State holds a commanding 11-1 lead in the all-time series. New Mexico's’ only win came in 2015 when the Lobos shocked the Broncos 31-24 on “The Blue.” It was such a tremendous occasion for the Lobos that decided to take a team photo on the field after the game! 

What Happened Last Time

 Khalil Shakir rolled up 192 all-purpose yards, George Holani rushed for 114 yards, and Boise State returned two blocked punts for touchdowns as the Broncos defeated New Mexico 37-0 on Senior night last season.New Mexico could only muster 101 yards of total offense in suffering its second shutout of the season. While the Boise State defense pitched its first shutout of the season, the special teams stole the show on senior night. On New Mexico's first punt of the game from its own 18, Kekaula Kaniho smothered punter Aaron Rodriguez's kick and Tyreque Jones scooped up the ball and returned the ball seven yards for a touchdown. With Boise State ahead 10-0 early in the second quarter, Alexander Teubner blocked Rodriguez's punt and Dylan Herberg snatched the ball off the turf and rumbled six yards for the score. The Broncos' offense didn't get into the end zone until the final play of the first half when Shakir raced past the New Mexico secondary and hauled in a 56-yard pass from Hank Bachmeier.
Bachmeier finished the game completing 11 passes for 142 yards and the one touchdown. George Holani had 115 yards 14 attempts and Kahlil Shakir had 116 yards on 7 catches and one touchdown. 

Players to Watch 

NEW MEXICO

SO., LUKE WYSONG, WR #15

“Do-it-all,” “Swiss Army Knife,” “All-in-one,” are just a few superlatives that would describe sophomore receiver Luke Wysong. The pride of Rio Rancho, N.M. has really been a bright spot in the Lobo offense and really showcased his ability last week in their win against Maine. Wysong led the team with his 128-all purpose yards. Wysong also found the endzone twice; once through the air and another on the ground. Wysong will also be on the field as the Lobos punt returner so getting to know #15 on Friday won’t be too difficult. 

RS.SR., JERRICK REED II, SAFETY #9

A year after leading the team in tackles, Jerrick Reed II is back to set the tone for the Lobos defense. Reed is a ball hawk in every sense of the word, both in coverage and against the run. He recorded seven pass breakups and an interception in 2021 and had three games with at least 10 tackles. His alignment allows for favorable matchups in coverage and in run defense, given his surprising strength and compact frame. Reed is an easy candidate for first-team All-Mountain West recognition. Reed led the defense last week in their win with 7 tackles and one pass breakup. 

JR., TAVIAN COMBS, SS #7

Finishing second on the team in tackles in each of the past two seasons, Tavian Combs is truly a tackling machine from his strong safety spot. Combs flies around the field and utilizes his 6’2″, 200-pound frame very well. He’s athletic and quick but loses nothing when it comes to matching up with potentially bigger pass catchers or ball carriers. He won’t miss tackles often and doesn’t allow much after the catch — if he even gives up a reception. Combs is the name to know on this Lobos team in 2022.

BOISE STATE 

FR., ASHTON JEANTY, RB #2

The jersey doesn’t have super powers, that we know of, but Jeanty seemed to channel his Shakir on Saturday night, pacing the Broncos in receptions with his 6 catches for 52 yards and led all running backs with his 16 yards on the ground. The freshman was highly touted coming out of high school and is the only true freshman listed on the Broncos two-deep. Jeanty will get plenty of reps this season for the Broncos so you might want to get to know the new #2. 

Rs.SR., DJ SCHRAMM, WIL #52

Coming into 2022 the linebacker position was thought of as a weakness for the Broncos. But after last week it might be the bright spot on the Broncos defense. DJ Shramm finished the game with 11 total tackles which was good for second on the team. Shramm has waited his turn and is now seizing his opportunity to play. With how the Lobos like to run the ball Schramm will have to have a big game for the Broncos to win. 

SIXTH YEAR., GEORGE TARLAS, DE #44

The pride of Borah High, the “Greek Freak” George Tarlas is just waiting to make his name known to the Bronco Nation. The transfer from Weber State is utilializing his “Covid Year” playing his final season in his “hometown.”  Coaches on the Boise State staff have nothing but good things to say about Tarlas and are eager to see how he performs on the FBS stage. During his time at Weber State Tarlas was named to the All-Big Sky team three of his four seasons. 

Focus Position Group: Offensive line

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

1. Eye Discipline

“Eye Discipline '' has become somewhat of a catchphrase for the Boise State secondary. Last week against Oregon State, the Broncos were repeatedly burned for big plays in the vertical pass game. Defensive Coordinator Spencer Danielson said this week the reason that happens is because people aren’t being disciplined with their eyes and reading their keys and not wanting to do their 1/11th. Last week New Mexico didn’t need to do much in their vertical pass game against Maine, now we don’t know if they were just hiding some of their cards or if they don’t have that in their arsenal, but if the Broncos aren’t careful the Lobos could lull them to sleep and beat them deep for the second week in a row. 

2. Score Points 

Are you kidding?! Score points? Well the Broncos offense is MIA to start the season. When the highlight of the offense is when your backup quarterback runs for 74-yards and scores on a busted play, you have problems. Running back George Holani had nine yards on 13 carries. The offense didn’t score a touchdown until late in the third quarter. This week the Broncos have to find their offensive groove or they will be in big trouble in 2022. 

3. Short Week, Short Memory

Sometimes the best thing for a team who just got embarrassed is to get out there and play again. Well the Broncos have that exact opportunity this week. It's a short week for the Broncos and they need to have a short memory. Flush last week and move on. There are at least 11 more opportunities to showcase your talent and prove to everyone that you aren’t as bad as your last showing.

Editor Note: 

 Last week was nothing short of a disaster. The offense looked like it had never played football before, the defense was letting up big play after big play, even our “Mr. Automatic” kicker missed two field goals! It was a clunker of a game. There is no way around it. 

All fall camp long Coach Avalos would say how good the team was looking and how impressed he had been at their execution. He would complement the offense on how efficient they were looking and how they looked explosive and dangerous. But after last Saturday it would seem We’ve been sold a bill of goods and that was all just coach speak trying to pump up a bad team. 

On the other hand it may have just been a bad night and we may end up looking back as this game at the end of the season and wonder how in the world they lost that game. The next three weeks should be three weeks of confidence building wins before they head into the meat of their schedule. I'll be the first to say it tough to get a pulse on this team. Are they bad? Did they have an off night? Will they get better? And the best we can do is wait and see.

Unfortunately Boise State has a lot to fix in not a lot of time. Boise State gets all they can handle from the Lobos. 

Boise State 24, New Mexico 27