Boise State University (1-1) (-21) vs University of Tennessee-Martin (1-1) 2022

 

Boise State University (-21) vs University of Tennessee-Martin

Date:Saturday September 17, 2022

Time: 2:00pm MT

Stadium: Albertsons “Bronco” Stadium(39,224)

TV: FS1

TV Commentators: Alex Faust and Petros Papadakis

Radio: KBOI 670 AM

    Commentators: Bob Behler and Pete Cavender

 Know Thy Enemy

It’s the battle of the Blue and Orange. UT Martin travels west for a $400,000 pay day as the Skyhawks are set to face the Broncos in the Boise State Home opener. UT Martin from the Ohio Valley Conference is coming off a season of “firsts” in 2021. Last season was the first time they won the OVC conference outright, the first win in the FCS playoffs, and their first 10-win season since joining the Division 1AA/FCS ranks back in 1991. All of those “firsts” set the bar high for “Capitan” and the rest of the Skyhawks going into 2022. 

The Skyhawks come into this week's non-conference matchup with a record of 1-1. They opened up their season with a 42-25 win over the Western Illinois Leathernecks followed by a tough 35-30 loss in a rematch of last  year's playoff win against Missouri State. This week coach Jason Simpson commented on this week's matchup with Boise State, “Certainly a tough challenge for us against a quality Boise State team….[it will be] a good experience for the kids.”

Through two games of the season the Skyhawks offense has been humming, even with the loss they are averaging 36 points and over 500 yards per game. The offense is led by a trio of play makers, quarterback Dresser Winn, running back Zak Wallace, and wideout Colton Dowell. The offensive line has also played well in the early going and have not allowed  a sack yet this season. UT Martin features a typical “Spread” offense that likes to get the ball to their playmakers out in space. You’ll see a lot of short, quick passes and runs out of the shotgun. 

The defense seems to be finding its legs still here in 2022. Through two games they are giving up an average of 30 points and over 400 yards per game. Opponents are also averaging 6.6 yards per play against the Skyhawks. However, the Skyhawks forced two interceptions against Western Illinois and had five sacks against Missouri State. So on one hand they give up a lot of yards and points, but on the other they can produce pressure on the quarterback and force mistakes by the opposing offense. The Skyhawks have a few playmakers on defense, but none bigger than linebacker John Ford II who is an All-OVC caliber player. 

UT Martin is coached by Jason Simpson. Simpson is in his 17th year as head coach of the Skyhawks which makes him tied for 8th longest tenured coach in the FCS and tied for 9th overall in all of Division 1 football. In those 17 seasons coach Simpson is 100-80 over all. UT Martin has just five losing seasons since he took the job in ‘06. Last season as mentioned before was a landmark campaign for the program marking their third ten-win season in the history of the program. 

Saturday will mark just the second meeting between these two football teams. The first meeting was back in 2013 when the Skyhawks came to Boise marking the furthest West the school had ever traveled for a football game. 

What Happened Last Time

After the worst defeat in eight years in week one, Boise State hosted the Skyhawks in the home opener of 2013, donning their iconic “sweat box” gray jerseys. Over 33,000 Boise State faithful were treated to a fireworks show in the middle of the afternoon as the offense exploded for 472 yards and eight touchdowns in the 63-14 route. Joe Southwick threw five touchdowns passes, Jay Ajayi ran for over 80 yards and two scores, Shane Williams-Rhodes caught 7 passes and a pair of touchdowns, and even the defense got into the action on a interception return by cornerback Bryan Douglas. 

Players to Watch 

UT MARTIN

GS., JOHN H. FORD II, LB #18 

John Henry Ford II is the lifeblood of the Skyhawks defense. The sixth-year grad student has big expectations following a breakout season in 2021. In 13 games last season Ford racked up 88 tackles, five TFLs, 0.5 sacks, and four interceptions. Ford was also named on the All-OVC first team a season ago. This season has been much of the same for the linebacker. Through two games Ford has tallied a team leading 25 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Ford was named conference player of the week last week. 

 

 GS., DRESSER WINN, QB #3

There were some questions on whether Dresser Winn would be the starting quarterback this season, but after leading the team to their first ever playoff win a season ago it seemed to be a no brainer to name Winn as the starting signal caller. Winn through two games has shown his ability to really throw the football, throwing for over 300 yards and seven touchdowns with just one interception through two games. A Skyhawks win on Saturday isn’t likely, but with a quarterback like Winn will give them a puncher's chance. 

RS.SO., ZAK WALLACE, RB #21

The sophomore from Benton, Ak has done nothing but produce since joining the Skyhawks. After his freshman campaign, Wallace was named to the All-OVC First Team, a HERO Sports Freshman All-American, a Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-American, and a Phil Steele FCS All-OVC second team member.  Coming into this season Wallace was named to the Preseason All-OVC team and the Phil Steele Preasason All-OVC first team. On top of all that, Wallace was named OVC Offensive Player of the Week with his 139 yards and three touchdown performance against Western Illinois in week one. 

BOISE STATE 

RS.SR., RILEY SMITH, TE #3

The senior from St. Augustine, FL is having a personal best season so far. Through two games the quarterback turned tight end has eight catches tying his total from a year ago. Riley’s career high in catches came in 2020 when he caught 15 passes. The tight end currently ranks second amongs Mountain West tight ends in that category. Saturday could be another hugely productive day for the young man. 

Rs.SO, LATRELL CAPLES, WR #7

Caples found himself as the “go-to” target last Friday as he led the team with his two touchdown catches against New Mexico. Through two games this season Caples has six catches which puts him third on the team, but those six receptions lead all receivers. The sophomore seems to have positioned himself as that Red Zone threat for the Broncos and everyone knows they need to start score points, so look for #7 to continue his “pay dirt” finding ways this Saturday.

FIFTH YEAR., CALEB BIGGERS, CB #1

Wearing #1 is a big deal for the Broncos. This year Caleb Biggers has been presented with that honor of donning the single-digit. The fifth year senior is ‘thankful’ and ‘motivated’ for his final season in blue and orange. The Baltimore native transferred to Boise State prior to last season. In games in which he started the Broncos were 6-2. In games Biggers didn’t appear in the starting lineup, Boise State was just 1-3. Biggers is one of the emotional leaders on the Broncos defense, but sometimes his emotions get the best of him like it did last week when he was flagged for a taunting penalty against New Mexico. With the Broncos facing a quarterback that slings the ball arond the yard, Biggers with the rest of the secondary will have to be prepared. 

Focus Position Group: Wide Receiver

This is the game that the wideout group breaks out. UT Martin is giving up close to 300 yards a game through the air and have given up 9 passing touchdowns so far in 2022. It's time for someone in that receiver room to establish themselves as the “go-to” option for Hank. No receiver has more than 6 catches this season, no receiver is averaging more than 28 yards per game. This week Stefan Cobbs, Billy Bowens, Latrell Caples, Cole Wright or someone else has to separate themselves to help out Hank and the offense. 

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

Start Faster

During the Tim Plough era, the Broncos offense hasn’t been as explosive as it has been under other coordinators. However, one thing that is in his favor is the first quarter scoring that Boise State has had under his coaching. Last season the Broncos only failed to score in the first quarter one time and were averaging a little under 8 points per game after the first 15 minutes. This year the offense has yet to crack the scoreboard in the first quarter. Something has to change the rest of the season if the Broncos want to stay in ball games. 

Don’t Beat Yourself

This week it's less about Boise State vs UT-Martin and more about Boise State vs Boise State. The turnover bug has been an issue so far this season especially from the quarterback position. This week they can’t give David the stone.  The Broncos just need to stay the course and play their game. They don’t need to worry about facing an FCS team, they just need to play ball.  

Dominate the Line of Scrimmage

Football is all about controlling the line of scrimmage. This week the Broncos should have no trouble dominating that line on both sides of the football. Last week Bronco Nation saw what this defensive line was capable of against an inferior offensive line, to the tune of 6 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Last week in the second half the offensive line finally started coming together and allowed the running backs to get some momentum going. If Boise State can dominate the line of scrimmage they should have no issue running away with this one. 

Editor Note: 

If Boise State has a game on December 3rd no one will care whether they beat New Mexico 60-0 or 32-14 like they did. A win is a win, and with this team I’ll take all the wins I can get. This week they have another opportunity to gain confidence and keep on getting better.

However, a cocky team will sink faster than a brink in the ocean. Boise State can’t overlook their opponent this week whatsoever. Last week not one, but two Mountain West teams lost to FCS opponents. Nevada lost in a barnburner to Incarnate Word (San Antonio, TX) 55-41 and Utah State got embarrassed by in-state rival Weber State 35-7. Boise State has to focus on this week and this week alone. If they can beat the Skyhawks and then turn around next week and beat UTEP, the Broncos will be a confident 3-1 headed into the brutal two week stretch against San Diego State and Fresno State. Confidence is contagious and a confident team can be a dangerous team, especially as the season goes on and opponents get better.

But back to this week, all Boise State has to do is play their game and they should come out with an easy victory. Boise State scores early and often and cracks 50 for just the second time under Plough

Boise State 55, UT Martin 14