The monkey is off the Broncos’ back.
In upsetting No. 17 Oregon, 37-32, at Autzen Stadium Saturday, Boise State (3-0, 0-0 Western Athletic Conference) won its first game on the road against a Bowl Championship Series conference opponent … and they did it in style. Raucous Boise State fans filled the opposition’s section and dotted the rest of the stands, and the home crowd was never consistently in the game.
“We built a lead, which we kinda knew we’d have to do because they’re so explosive and the crowd gets into it,” Broncos head coach Chris Petersen said. “The kids played hard and did enough to hang on.”
Freshman quarterback Kellen Moore put to rest any doubts about his ability to overcome his environment early on in the game. At halftime, Moore completed 15 of 19 passes as Boise State converted on half its third down attempts. Moore finished the game with a 66.6% completion mark (24-for-36) for 386 yards, throwing for three touchdowns and one interception.
“We got in sync and we worried about what we were doing,” Moore said postgame. “You can’t worry about the crowd. They can be loud, but it’s just us 11 out there.”
The Broncos did an admirable job of spreading the ball around and setting up the pass … even as the running game managed just 38 yards against an Oregon defense keyed on stopping senior running back Ian Johnson. Eleven different receivers caught a pass; junior wide receiver Jeremy Childs’ five receptions and 102 yards were the most by a Bronco receiver. While Oregon utilized Ed Dickson heavily in the passing game, Moore used tight ends Chris O’Neill and Kyle Efaw to the combined tune of seven catches and 80 yards.
Petersen and Moore were quick to praise the playcalling of offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin, as the Broncos’ offense seemed a step ahead of the Ducks’ defense throughout the game.
“He did a great job. He’s a heck of a coach and a play caller,” Petersen said.
After an uncharacteristically long scoring drive by the Ducks, Boise State found itself behind, 6-0, entering the second quarter. A Kyle Brotzman field goal halved the Ducks lead before Moore completed a nine-yard pass to tight end Tommy Gallarda. The Broncos never trailed afterward, leading 37-13 going into the fourth quarter and locking down on the Oregon running game in response to Oregon’s unwillingness to pass the football. Oregon coach Mike Bellotti then inserted freshman quarterback Darron Thomas into the game for the fourth quarter and the Ducks rattled off 19 points, but Boise State recovered a late onside kick and ran out the clock.
“We didn’t adjust too well to that, but we kinda knew what they were gonna do,” Petersen said with regards to Thomas’ performance.
The Broncos have a 10-day hiatus before a Wednesday-night, nationally televised conference matchup against Louisiana Tech. Petersen’s task will be to put the Oregon win into perspective for his team and make improvements.
“We’re gonna put that tape back on, and there’s a ton to clean up,” Petersen said.