Broncos buck Aggie to 1-10
Going into Saturday’s football game, it was a match-up of two teams at opposite ends of the success spectrum, and the end result provided plenty of evidence why.
The BCS-bound and 13th-ranked Boise State Broncos walked all over the Aggies (1-10, 1- in a 49-10 victory, even without the services of their star running back —-??????
“It’s just a shame we couldn’t execute better,” Aggie Head Coach Brent Guy said in a post-game radio interview. “They were much more physical than we were.”
It was the first time since 1904 that a USU football team has allowed an opponent to score 40 or more points in four consecutive games.
And, with this game being the final road contest of the season for USU, the loss made this season’s Aggie squad the second in the past 18 years to go winless on the road.
The Aggies’ points came from a first-half field goal and a second-half 65-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by linebacker Devon Hall.
The Broncos were close to perfect, dominating the Aggies in nearly every statistical category. The passing game was particularly on the mark.
Bronco quarterback Jared Zabransky completed 21 of 23 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns to lead his team to victory.
The Broncos collected 488 yards of total offense to the Aggies’ 188. The Broncos also racked up 24 first downs to the Aggies’ seven.
USU’s Riley Nelson, who started the game at quarterback went a lackluster six for 15 in pass completions with a grand total of 40 yards passing, along with one interception. Nelson also collected 45 rushing yards to lead his team.
“That’s what Boise State is and that’s what we are not right now,” Guy said of BSU’s dominance. “That’s been our demise. That’s the reason [the Broncos] continue to win here and on the road.”
After three fruitless drives in the first quarter and USU down 0-21, Leon Jackson III was put in at the quarterback spot to begin the second frame of play.
Things initially seemed to go well. Jackson’s first pass was for 43 yards to wide receiver Kevin Robinson. Then, after an Omar Sawyer five-yard run, the Aggies were flagged for a false start. Jackson then ran for no gain, completed a seven-yard pass to Marcus Cross, and lost a yard in a fourth-down attempt for a first down.
One minute later the Aggies got the ball back after freshman James Brindley forced a fumble by the Broncos’ Vinny Perretta.
That gave the Aggies the ball on the Bronco 46 yard line. Nelson was put back in at quarterback, leading his team to the Bronco 14 before Bryan Shields made the second field goal of the year for the Aggies.
The Aggie defense then forced the Broncos to put up one of their two punts on the day.
The Broncos returned the favor as Nelson threw two imcomplete passes and had a two-yard rush to give the Broncos the ball back.
BSU used up 1:15 of the game clock to have Zabransky throw a 16-yard TD pass to Legedu Naanee.
The Broncos scored touchdowns on three of their next five drives, including their opening possession of the second half.
Paul Igboeli, a true freshman, led the Aggies defensively with 10 tackles and one sack. Daryl Fields recorded eight tackles, while Antonio Taylor and Terrance Washington each had six.
Both Marcus Cross and Antraun McDaniel both were injured in the game, which forced the Aggies to play junior wide receiver Aaron Lesue at running back on USU’s final possession.
Guy said he didn’t know what the status will be of Cross and McDaniel for next week’s season finale at Romney Stadium against the New Mexico State Aggies.
“He’s a strong guy, and has good speed,” Guy said of Lesue. “He did a nice job for somebody that got thrown into the fire in the fourth quarter.”
Notes: Wide receiver Omar Sawyer and tight end Brennan McFadden became the eighth and ninth freshmen to start for the Aggies this season.
“It’s painful to live with right now,” Guy said of all the freshmen starting. “Hopefully in a couple years, we’ll have happier talks after games. I’m proud to see guys like that make plays. We’ve just got too many of them out there right now. . . Also, the Aggies dropped to a 1-41 record against ranked opponents.
-sbhislop@cc.usu.edu