Boise State (7-3,6-0) (-13.5) at University of Wyoming (7-3,5-1)
Boise State University (-13.5) at University of Wyoming
Date: Saturday, November 19, 2022
Time: 5:00pm MT
Stadium: War Memorial Stadium (29,181)
TV:FS1
TV Commentators: Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, and Sharree Burress
Radio: KBOI 670 AM
Commentators: Bob Behler and Pete Cavender
Know Thy Enemy
War Memorial Stadium, on the banks of the Laramie River will serve as the backdrop for the age-old fight between man and beast. Pistol Pete and the Wyoming Cowboys hope to knock off Buster and the Broncos to claim the top spot in the Mountain Division.
Wyoming is coming in riding a wave of momentum, winning four straight, including last week in the “Border War” against bitter rival Colorado State. Last week in the win, the Cowboys had to come back from a 10-point deficit to complete the win. The victory was the fifth time this season that the ‘Pokes have won in come-from-behind fashion. One of the key contributors in that kind of success is discipline and fundamentals. During the weekly Boise State press conference, all three coaches commented on how “sound” Wyoming was in their fundamentals. The proof as they say is “in the pudding” and there is plenty of pudding to go around as the Cowboys are the 2nd least penalized team in the conference, averaging only 38.5 yards per game not only that, but they have only committed 10 turnovers all season. Just to put that in perspective, Utah State, the most penalized team in the Mountain West, averages close to 80 yards per game and have committed 19 turnovers this season. Needless to say, the Cowboys aren’t going to beat themselves.
The Craig Bohl offense has always been and always will be this: Run. The. Football. So far this season Wyoming is averaging 38.5 rushing attempts per game compared to just 22 pass attempts. Every year the Cowboys churn out big, athletic, running backs that carry the load for the team. This year is no different with the trio of running backs, Titus Swen, D.Q. James, and Dawaiian McNeely. Swen is the workhorse in that stable as he has been averaging almost 17 carries per game so far this season. However, that hasn’t led to points and the Cowboys are averaging 21.5 points per game in conference play and just over 23 points per game over all this year.
One word to describe the Wyoming defense is stingy. In Mountain West play the Cowboys are giving up just 18 points and 331 yards per game which is good for 3rd and 4th respectively in the conference. The Cowboys are big and long across the front seven with each of their defensive linemen starters being 6’4”. Relentless would be another word to describe this side of the ball for the Cowboys. Currently they rank #1 in the conference and #14 in the country in sacks with 31. The ‘Pokes have four guys on the defense that have at least 5 sacks each with DeVonne Harris leading the way with 7.
Wyoming is coached by Craig Bohl. Bohl is in his 9th season leading the University of Wyoming Football program. According to the gowyo.com information page, “During the past eight seasons under the direction of Bohl, Wyoming Football has enjoyed a level of excellence that has never been reached in the rich history of Cowboy Football.” In these eight, almost nine seasons Bohl is 52-53 overall and 32-36 in Mountain West play. Prior to coaching the Cowboys, Bohl was the head coach of FCS juggernaut North Dakota State Bison for 11 seasons. In those 11 seasons Bohl coached the team to three straight FCS Championships.
Saturday night will be the 17th meeting between the Broncos and the Cowboys. Wyoming has one thing in common with two other Mountain West opponents when it comes to playing against the Broncos. Like San Jose State and New Mexico, the Cowboys have only beaten the Broncos one time since the series began in 2002. Their lone win came in the “safety dance” game of 2016. This series isn’t known for being very competitive on the scoreboard with Boise State winning 8 of the match up by 20+ points. However, the last three years Wyoming has held Boise State to three of the lowest point totals in the series.
What Happened Last Time
After exchanging touchdowns, the teams settled in for a defensive slugfest in the first half. Jonah Dalmas booted a 43-yard field goal as time expired to give Boise State a 10-7 halftime lead.
Dalmas converted from 35-yards out on the Broncos' opening possession of the second half, but both offenses continued to struggle.
It was the Broncos' defense that provided the spark to break the game open.
With Boise State holding a tenuous 13-7 lead midway through the fourth quarter, Wyoming quarterback Levi Williams scrambled out of pressure and threw an ill-advised pass, which Demitri Washington intercepted and returned to the Cowboys 13.
Two plays later, Andrew Van Buren bulled his way into the end zone from nine yards out with 7:39 remaining, giving Boise State a 20-7 lead.
Williams finished with 156 yards passing and 36 yards rushing to lead the Cowboys' offensively.
Players to Watch
WYOMING
SO., DEVONNE HARRIS, DE #93
DeVonne Harris is a one-man wrecking crew. The Sophomore out of Big Lake High School, has burst onto the scene for the Cowboy defense this season. Harris leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss. At one point this season Harris had a streak of three straight games with a sack. Against Utah State Harris racked up 3! Harris hasn’t had a sack in the past two games so he will be on the hunt Saturday night.
Rs.FR., BRADEN SIDERS, DE #86
If Harris wasn’t scary enough, the Cowboys have another defensive end who is just a disruptive. Braden Siders, out of Thorton, CO. made his collegiate debut this season and has quickly become a TFL machine for Wyoming. The big defensive end has had a tackle for loss in five games and multiple TFL’s in three of those five. He also has five sacks on the season. Boise State can’t afford to let Siders and Harris wreak havoc in the backfield on Saturday.
JR., TITUS SWEN, RB # 2
Per usual, the Wyoming Cowboys have at least one stud running back that will make you have nightmares. Titus Swen is that man. So far this season Swen has amassed 752 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Swen has five 100+ rushing yard games in his career, two of which have come this season. His best output of the year came against Utah State where the Junior ran for 160 yards and three scores.
BOISE STATE
Rs.FR, ANDREW SIMPSON, WIL #10
Boise State’s defensive depth is being tested here late in the season with injuries piling up. With Zeke Noa out last week Andrew Simpson heard his number be called and he did not disappoint. The freshman out of St. John Bosco High had his best performance of the season and gave Bronco Nation a glimpse into the future at linebacker. Against Nevada Simpson had five tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss. If Noa and Gabe Hunter are unavailable this week Simpson could see a lot more playing time as the season winds down.
SIXTH YEAR, JOHN OJUKWU, LT #70
Ojukwu, or “OJ” as his friends call him, was named the offensive team captain at the start of the season and is the anchor of this Boise State offensive line. The Left Tackle from Boise High has started every game the last three seasons. Ojukwu will have his hands full this week as he goes toe-to-toe against one the MW leading pass rushers. The Broncos offensive line has done a good job this season, especially in the last six weeks protecting the quarterback, giving up only 13 sacks all season.
Rs.JR., GEORGE HOLANI, RB #24
All hail Holani! The Junior Running Back has been down right sensational the last six weeks. Before the change in coordinator Holani had rushing totals of: 9,67,110,75 with one touchdown. After the change: 131,157,108,75,101 with nine touchdowns. Holani’s time at Boise State might only be for four more games. Bronco Nation should take every opportunity to fix their eyes on #24.
Focus Position Group: Offensive Line
This offensive line has been a major part in the turnaround of this season. Who knows what caused it, but this unit is playing as one and it shows. They go against one of the best defensive lines in all of the Mountain West this week and will have a tough task. The Cowboys rank #1 in the conference in sacks and is a top five in scoring defense and rushing defense. However, it looks like Boise State might be getting their all-conference guard Ben Dooley back to full strength just in time for a championship run.
Rev's Route to a Bronco Win
When Pigs Fly
Six weeks ago, there was no question that Taylen Green could run, after his 105 rushing yards and two scores against the SDSU Aztecs. The question was can he throw the football? That question was answered just a few weeks later when he diced up the Rams to the tune of 305 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Since that game, Green has been leading the team with this arm and not his legs. This week the Broncos face a really stout defensive front. If there is one weakness in the Cowboys it’s against the pass. Wyoming ranks #11 in pass defense. That’s one spot behind Colorado State…you see where I’m going with this? Even in inclement weather, Taylen threw the ball 22 times for 218 yards and touchdown. Boise State needs to continue to let that pig fly on Saturday night.
Pressure Cooker
In the last six games the Broncos are 5-1. Part of their success has been the dominance of the defense. The biggest difference in wins versus the lone loss was the pressure or lack thereof on the opposing quarterback. In the five wins the Broncos defense has had sack totals of: 4,2,2,5, and 4. Also in those wins they have had tackle for loss totals of: 8,3,4,9,6. That's a lot of negative plays for the opposing offense. In the one loss the Broncos only had 2 tackles for loss and did not record a sack. The Cowboys don’t give up a lot of sacks, but if the Broncos can force Wyoming into obvious passing situations it could bode well for Boise State.
Have Fun
Coach Avalos, after the win in Nevada said that this team was one of the funnest he’s ever been around. He elaborated on that during his Monday press conference saying, “how committed these guys are. Their passion for the game, the passion for each other. How they work together. We've got guys that are all in it for the family and the team. They come with a humble and hungry approach and they are having fun doing it.” You can tell the whole “vibe” as the kids say around this team has changed in the last six weeks. The Broncos are having fun and you can see it on their faces. To win this week they just need to play their game and not worry about what would happen if they win. Taylen Green said it best, “It's been fun, it’s football, it’s a game.”
Editor Note:
Conference Kings
Boise State has dominated Mountain West play this season. Not only are they 6-0 so far, they lead the conference in scoring, total offense, and total defense. They have a point differential of +141, which also leads the conference. Their closest conference game was a five point win against AFA, outside of that no other Mountain West team has come within 17 points. The Mountain West is having a down year for the most part, but even so, the Broncos have reclaimed their spot as the Class of this league.
Win and In
With a win on Saturday, Boise State will lock in their spot as the Mountain division representative in the conference championship game Saturday December 3rd. Also with a win it gives the Broncos a really good shot at hosting that game as well. The Broncos haven’t been in the conference championship since 2020 and haven’t hosted the game since 2019, the last time they won the conference title. As for who they could potentially play? All signs are pointing towards a potential rematch with the Fresno State Bulldogs who finish the season at Nevada-Reno and host Wyoming in the season finale. Even if the Bulldogs lost one of those games they still hold the head-to-head tie-breaker against San Diego State and San Jose State.
Football Weather
Last week the Broncos faced the elements in their dominating 41-3 win over the Wolf Pack. Even in the snow they tallied 528 yards, their most in a single game since the 2019 season-opener. The weather in Laramie calls for wintry conditions on Saturday or “football weather.” like Coach Danielson said on Monday. Coach Avalos said following the game last Saturday, “The guys thoroughly enjoyed playing in the snow. They were excited about it. We know in this conference you go play on the road in certain places late in November there is a good possibility you're going to play in some weather.” Avalos added on Monday, “No matter the conditions we have to be able to operate and be consistent.”
Not weather, or the Cowboys are going to stop the Broncos from punching their ticket to the championship game. Broncos Win another slug fest in Laramie.
SUNDAY MORNING SERMON TITLE:
MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE: Boise State Lands In Mountain West Title Game With Big Win Over Cowboys
Boise State 31, Wyoming 17
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