Boise State University (-1000) Vs Portland State University

Date: Saturday, September 21st, 2024

Time: 7:45pm MT

Stadium: Albertsons “Bronco” Stadium (36,363)

TV: FS1

Commentators: Eric Collins and Spencer Tillman

Radio: KBOI 670 AM

Commentators: Bob Behler and Pete Cavender

Know Thy Enemy

“I don’t believe there is any better place to play college football than on ‘The Blue.” Ashon Jeanty and the boys in blue will look to run all over the Vikings of Portland State.

Both teams are coming off of a bye week going into Saturday’s matchup. Boise State was scheduled. Portland State’s was not as they canceled their game against South Dakota as the Vikings had an outbreak of “Whooping Cough” inside their locker room.

The Vikings have struggled this season so far as they opened their season with a 30-70 loss at Washington State and then turned around and were torched by fellow Big Sky Conference foe, Weber State 16-43.

While the number on the scoreboard might not be what the Vikings were wanting, the PSU offense put up some impressive numbers in the Washington State game; they were able to move the ball down the field. The Vikings had close to 500 yards of total offense, including over 200 yards on the ground. They even possessed the ball for over forty minutes! Against Weber State they were able to run the ball for almost 150, but struggled throwing the ball and protecting the quarterback.

The Viking defense has struggled out of the gate giving up an abysmal 56.5 points per game so far this year. Opposing offenses have been able to move the ball at will, averaging almost 600 yards of total offense and 9.4 yards per play! Needless to say, Jeanty might break his own single-game rushing record on Saturday.

Portland State is coached by Bruce Barnum. Barnum is in his 15th season aboard the Viking ship, but is in his 10th season as Captain. His best season as head coach was his first year in 2015 when the Vikings wen 9-3 and finished in the top-10 in the FCS. Since that year PSU hasn’t been able to win more than five games in a single season and even went 0-11 in one year.

Saturday will mark the 9th time these two schools from the Northwest have met, with Boise State taking seven of the previous eight meetings.

What Happened Last Year Time (2019)

Boise State, which was playing only its third FCS opponent since 2010, used its big-play offense to bury an outmatched Vikings squad. The Broncos had 11 plays from scrimmage go for 20 yards or more, including three touchdowns.

Portland State, which played Arkansas tough in a 20-13 loss in the Vikings' season opener, racked up 159 yards in the first quarter but only 85 over the final three.

In the Broncos' dominant defensive performance, Curtis Weaver tied a single-game school record with four sacks. John Hightower also returned a kickoff for a touchdown and caught a touchdown.

Bachmeier was 16-of-25 passing with an interception. C.T. Thomas also hauled in two touchdown passes, one from Bachmeier and another from backup quarterback Chase Cord.

Players to Watch

PORTLAND STATE

SR., DANTE CHACHERE, QB #15

Through two games Chachere has been the offense for the Vikings. Chachere, the senior out of Fresno, California has totaled four touchdowns, two each through the air and on the ground. Dante is a true dual-threat QB, averaging 24 pass attempts and 14 rushing attempts per game. If it weren’t for all his sack yarage going against him, Chachere would be the teams second-leading rusher. If Chachere has a hole in his game its passing efficiency. He’s only a touch over 50% with his completion percentage.

SO., MICHAEL MONTGOMERY, OLB #9

A tremendous athlete who came in and made an impact right away as a true freshman. Montgomery was one of the Vikings’ top recruits in the for PSU last year. Last week against Weber State the linebacker had 16 tackles which included two tackles-for-loss and a sack! Rangy and fast, Montgomery will be all over the field on Saturday.

BOISE STATE

FR., SIRE GAINES, RB #26

If you don’t know the name Sire Gaines, you probably live under a rock, but that’s why you read Revs Rundown! This week is the week that Sire Gaines becomes a household name. Gaines burst on the scene in week one going for 110 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. With that performance Gaines took home the award for conference freshman on the week. This week Gaines will more than likely have a heavy workload, especially in the second half when the game is firmly in hand and look for him to put up impressive numbers.

Rs.JR., ANDREW SIMPSON, LB #10

Andrew Simpson is simply “on a new level” as A$AP FERG says. Through two games Simpson has nine tackles, two sacks and THREE forced fumbles. This week Smipson could feast against the Portland State front and have another big day.

Focus Position Group: Quarterback

Maddux Madsen played well in one week and then just so-so in another. The thing that most are frustrated about is completion percentage. Madsen completed over 70% against Georgia State and then plummeted to 40% against Oregon. Madsen certainly had a cold stretch in the second half against the Ducks, but he’s still not been sacked and has not thrown an interception. This week Madsen needs to have a “get right” game and ge that mojo working.

Rev's Route to a Bronco Win

UNDER 40

Maddux Madsen threw the ball forty times against Oregon. Forty times. For a team that features the best running back in the country and arguably one the deepest running back rooms in the country, throwing the ball forty times seems a little excessive. Balance is the key to any offense and the ability to run and pass is imperative, but maybe lean on your running attack a bit more.

PRESSURE COOKER

Through two games the Boise State defense has put tremendous pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Broncos have tallied four sacks in each of their two games. What is impressive about it and mind-boggling to opposing offenses is where the pressure is coming from. Seven different players have recorded a sack, including players from every level from defensive lineman, linebackers and secondary. This Broncos defense is hunting opposing quarterbacks and they will be on the prowl again this week.

ONE PLAY AT A TIME

You can’t beat a team 55-0 on one play. Boise State can’t blow out Portland State on one play. They can however dominate their competition one play at a time. That's the key to this game, executing one play at a time and letting the superior talent take over.

Editorial Note:

Saturday is the home opener and Boise State is the LAST team in the country to have a home game. Albertsons Stadium is sold out and should be rocking with all the audio upgrades. It should be a very festive environment and very entertaining on the field. This game should never be in doubt and the boys are going to run a literal hole through the Vikings.

There’s not much more to say about this one other than Go Broncos!

Boise State 59, Portland State 17

Rev's Rundown

PREVIEW | CFB: BOISE STATE (1-1) VS PORTLAND STATE (0-2)