Boise State vs. Utah State: Who gets the edge, players to watch as Broncos hit the road | Idaho Statesman

WHO GETS THE EDGE?

When the Broncos run the ball ...

During Boise State’s three-game win streak, the Broncos have averaged 170 yards rushing — after 117 per game during their 2-2 start. Sophomore running back Alexander Mattison has rushed for at least 91 yards in those three victories.

Utah State is allowing 204 rushing yards per game, and yielded 375 (300 in the first half) last Saturday at UNLV. Opponents have rushed for at least 210 yards five times this season.

“We adjusted well in the UNLV game, but we can’t let that happen again,” Utah State safety Dallin Leavitt said. “Boise State’s offense seemed like it got off to a rough start, but now you can see they’re explosive and give you a lot of looks that make it tough.”

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

When the Broncos pass the ball ...

The Broncos are in line for their least productive passing season since joining the FBS in 1996 (197.3 yards per game). Boise State is averaging just 158 yards per game in its five wins and does not have a play longer than 50 yards.

Utah State’s experienced defensive backfield should provide a tough test for Boise State’s two-quarterback system. The Aggies are 32nd nationally in pass defense and are tied for ninth with 10 interceptions this season.

“We’ll have to do a great job with our plan on third down with the different fronts, keep them off-balance with some of the protections we’re using, too,” Boise State offensive coordinator Zak Hill said.

ADVANTAGE: Utah State

When the Aggies run the ball ...

Four Aggies have at least 110 rushing yards, led by senior running back LaJuan Hunt’s 404. Quarterbacks Kent Myers and Jordan Love run the zone read well, which will test the discipline of the Broncos’ ends. USU rushed for 265 yards at UNLV.

Boise State is one of the best in the nation against the run, entering this weekend ranked 10th in the FBS allowing 103.3 yards per game on the ground. The Broncos have allowed 260 yards rushing total the last three games.

“Well, they have good players up front,” Utah State coach Matt Wells said. “... They haven’t been gashed in the run game. It doesn’t matter who they’ve played, they’ve stopped the run. That’s why they’re top-(10) in run defense.”

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

When the Aggies pass the ball ...

Love, a redshirt freshman, threw for 316 yards at UNLV in his first start, taking advantage of overeager defenders to connect on two long touchdown passes. Six players have at least 11 receptions, led by senior Ron’quavion Tarver’s 29. Dax Raymond’s 326 yards are No. 1.

The Broncos clamped down on Wyoming junior Josh Allen last week and should provide a much tougher task for Love. Boise State is 34th nationally in pass defense efficiency (115.58) and has allowed teams to complete 44 of 91 passes in October.

“They try to get you out of position before the play happens and they try to use that to their advantage,” Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch said of the Aggies’ up-tempo style.

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

Special teams ...

Both teams have excelled in different areas of special teams in pretty impressive fashion. Boise State is one of six FBS teams to run back at least two punts for touchdowns, while Utah State has blocked four punts. No other team has more than two.

“They have two of the best returners in the league,” Wells said. “This will be a major special teams battle ... I don’t know if it’ll be fun for us trying to defend those two returners, they are really good.”

The Aggies are No. 5 nationally in kick return defense (14.9 yards per return) and have a punt return touchdown of their own, averaging 15.6 yards per return. According to CFBAnalytics.com, Boise State and Utah State are 10th and 11th nationally in average field position.

ADVANTAGE: Push

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BOISE STATE

Leighton Vander Esch, linebacker

One of the most productive linebackers in the nation, the Salmon River High graduate has 74 tackles (sixth nationally with 10.6 per game), three sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Vander Esch has double-digit tackles in five of the last six games. He had 11 against Wyoming while dealing with strep throat.

“You can see the stat line and all that stuff, that speaks for itself, but he does so much more,” Boise State defensive coordinator Andy Avalos said, praising his ability to lead.

Alexander Mattison, running back

Somehow, the 5-foot-11, 214-pound sophomore is back on track to be the Broncos’ latest 1,000-yard rusher. He has 503 yards this season, 337 coming this month. Against Wyoming, he hurdled a defender on a 22-yard catch. Running confident and a focal point of the offense, he faces a USU defense that’s struggled to stop the run at times.

“Seeing him run over somebody is pretty nice, or jump over somebody like you guys saw, it makes you more excited to block somebody for him,” Boise State center Mason Hampton said.

Curtis Weaver, STUD end

The redshirt freshman has been put onto the field in pass-rushing situations, and has delivered in his role. Weaver leads the Broncos with six sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. He dropped more than 30 pounds since last season after arriving as a 287-pound defensive tackle. He may have some opportunities Saturday, as Utah State has allowed 24 sacks.

“He’s very athletic. He just has a knack for getting to the quarterback,” junior STUD end Jabril Frazier said.

UTAH STATE

Jordan Love, quarterback

The redshirt freshman has pushed senior Kent Myers for playing time and impressed enough to start last Saturday at UNLV. He earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors after he was 19-of-27 passing for 316 yards with two TDs, plus he ran for 42 yards and another score in a 52-28 win.

“He’s an excellent athlete, a great passer. Against UNLV he probably threw a 50-yard post on a dime, had three or four deep balls,” Boise State safety DeAndre Pierce said. “We’ve got to do a great job staying with our man.”

Dallin Leavitt, safety

A BYU transfer, Leavitt started eight games last season as a junior, but missed playing Boise State because of a broken ankle. He had 57 tackles and three interceptions last season, and through eight games this season has similar numbers: 49 tackles and three interceptions.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to getting to play them this year,” Leavitt said. “Hopefully they give me some chances to make some plays.”

Jalen Davis, cornerback

One of the best cornerbacks in the West, Davis has five interceptions, tied for No. 1 in the FBS. He’s run three back for touchdowns, one shy of matching the national single-season high. His 11 career interceptions are tied for sixth-best among active players. The senior was a first-team midseason AP All-American.

“He’s a very good player, going through some of the notes from last year, he definitely showed up,” Boise State offensive coordinator Zak Hill said.

OFFENSE Quarterback	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
4 Brett Rypien	6-2	208	Jr.
3 Montell Cozart	6-1	205	Sr.
Tailback	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
22 Alexander Mattison	5-11	214	So.
21 Ryan Wolpin	5-8	195	Sr.
34 Robert Mahone	5-10	211	RFr.
Wide receiver (X)	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
1 Cedrick Wilson	6-3	188	Sr.
9 Bryan Jefferson	5-11	193	So.
Wide receiver (H)	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
7 A.J. Richardson	6-0	209	Jr
6 CT Thomas	5-8	152	Fr.
Wide receiver (Z)	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
8 Sean Modster	5-11	196	Jr.
82 Octavius Evans	6-1	195	Fr.
Tight end	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
88 Jake Roh	6-3	227	Sr.
87 Alec Dhaenens	6-3	246	Sr.
Left tackle	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
76 Ezra Cleveland	6-6	296	RFr.
66 Isiah Moore	6-4	275	Jr.
Left guard	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
77 John Molchon	6-5	313	So.
67 Garrett Larson	6-4	295	So.
Center	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
59 Mason Hampton	6-3	295	Sr.
67 Garrett Larson	6-4	295	So.
Right guard	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
79 Eric Quevedo	6-4	304	So.
52 Andrew Tercek	6-1	278	Sr.
Right tackle	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
74 Archie Lewis	6-3	299	Sr.
78 Andres Preciado	6-6	292	Jr.
DEFENSE Defensive end	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
91 Durrant Miles	6-5	253	Jr.
93 Chase Hatada OR	6-3	267	So.
45 Kayode Rufai	6-4	254	RFr.
Nose tackle	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
98 Sonatane Lui	6-1	305	So.
57 Emmanuel Fesili	6-2	302	So.
Defensive tackle	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
55 David Moa	6-3	271	Jr.
90 Daniel Auelua	6-2	298	Sr.
STUD end	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
53 Sam Whitney OR	6-2	231	So.
8 Jabril Frazier OR	6-4	243	Jr.
99 Curtis Weaver	6-3	252	RFr.
Weakside linebacker	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
38 Leighton Vander Esch	6-4	240	Jr.
44 Riley Whimpey	6-1	212	Fr.
Middle linebacker	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
58 Tyson Maeva	6-0	214	So.
25 Benton Wickersham	6-2	231	RFr.
Strongside linebacker/nickel	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
33 Gabe Perez	6-4	246	Sr.
28 Kekaula Kaniho	5-10	175	Fr.
Boundary cornerback	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
14 Tyler Horton	5-11	188	Jr.
15 Jalen Walker	6-0	172	RFr.
Field cornerback	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
26 Avery Williams	5-9	194	RFr.
27 Reid Harrison-Ducros	5-10	180	So.
Field safety	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
4 DeAndre Pierce	5-11	174	So.
32 Jordan Happle	5-11	198	RFr.
Boundary safety	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
10 Kekoa Nawahine	6-2	199	So.
37 Cameron Hartsfield	5-10	197	Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS Kicker	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
41 Haden Hoggarth	6-0	198	Jr.
46 Joel Velazquez	6-0	228	RFr.
Punter	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
46 Joel Velazquez OR	6-0	228	RFr.
49 Quinn Skillin	6-4	185	Jr.
Snappers	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
89 Brock Barr	6-3	204	Sr.
50 Nicholai Pitman	5-11	230	So.
Holder	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
49 Quinn Skillin	6-4	185	Jr.
Kick returner	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
1 Cedrick Wilson OR	6-3	188	Sr.
26 Avery Williams	5-9	194	RFr.
Punt returner	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
26 Avery Williams OR	5-9	194	RFr.
1 Cedrick Wilson	6-3	188	Sr.

Date	Opponent	Time/Result
Saturday, Sept. 2	Troy	W, 24-13
Saturday, Sept. 9	at Washington State	L, 47-44 (3OT)
Thursday, Sept. 14	New Mexico	W, 28-14
Friday, Sept. 22	Virginia	L, 42-23
Friday, Oct. 6	at BYU	W, 24-7
Saturday, Oct. 14	at San Diego State	W, 31-14
Saturday, Oct. 21	Wyoming	W, 24-14
Saturday, Oct. 28	at Utah State	8 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
Saturday, Nov. 4	Nevada	5 p.m. (ESPNU)
Saturday, Nov. 11	at Colorado State	8:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
Saturday, Nov. 18	Air Force	TBA (ESPN Networks)
Saturday, Nov. 25	at Fresno State	1:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

OFFENSE Quarterback	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
2 Kent Myers OR	6-0	205	Sr.
10 Jordan Love	6-3	215	RFr.
Tailback	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
22 LaJuan Hunt	5-8	195	Sr.
21 Eltoro Allen	5-9	180	Jr.
Wide receiver (X)	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
1 Ron’quavion Tarver	6-3	215	Jr.
17 Zach Van Leeuwen OR	6-0	185	Jr.
88 Braelon Roberts	6-3	200	Sr.
Wide receiver (H)	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
16 Jordan Nathan	5-9	175	RFr.
25 Gerold Bright	5-9	190	So.
Wide receiver (Z)	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
5 Jaren Colston-Green	6-1	185	Sr.
7 Alex Byers OR	6-2	185	Sr.
81 Savon Scarver	6-0	190	Fr.
Tight end	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
87 Dax Raymond	6-5	245	So.
11 Damion Hobbs	6-2	245	Sr.
Left tackle	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
76 Roman Andrus	6-4	300	Jr.
77 Viliamu McMoore	6-5	305	RFr.
Left guard	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
68 Moroni Iniguez	6-2	330	So.
75 Ty Shaw	6-4	300	RFr.
Center	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
51 Quin Ficklin	6-2	290	Jr.
69 Jake Templeton	6-2	280	Jr.
Right guard	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
70 Rob Castaneda	6-4	300	Jr.
58 Demytrick Ali’ifua	6-3	310	RFr.
Right tackle	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
52 Sean Taylor	6-5	305	Jr.
73 Preston Brooksby	6-5	290	Sr.
DEFENSE Defensive end	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
19 Ian Togiai	6-2	280	Sr.
55 Adewale Adeoye	6-3	270	Jr.
Nose guard	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
56 Gasetoto Schuster	6-0	295	Jr.
96 Christopher ‘Unga	6-0	300	So.
Defensive end	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
93 Jacoby Wildman	6-2	265	So.
99 Mohelika Uasike	6-1	300	So.
Outside linebacker	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
44 Louy Compton	6-3	230	Jr.
49 Derek Larsen	6-3	240	Jr.
Inside linebacker	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
42 Suli Tamaivena	6-0	230	Jr.
33 Kevin Meitzenheimer	5-11	225	RFr.
Inside linebacker	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
48 Chase Christiansen	6-1	230	Jr.
40 Ofa Latu	6-1	220	Jr.
Outside linebacker	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
51 Justus Te’i	6-3	240	So.
24 Dalton Baker	6-4	255	So.
Cornerback	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
13 Jalen Davis	5-10	185	Sr.
6 Cameron Haney	5-11	180	So.
Cornerback	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
36 Ja’Marcus Ingram	6-1	185	RFr.
27 Deante Fortenberry OR	5-11	195	Jr.
8 Wesley Bailey	6-1	200	Sr.
Field safety	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
28 Aaron Wade	6-1	210	Jr.
3 Jontrell Rocquemore	6-1	210	Jr.
Boundary safety	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
2 Dallin Leavitt	5-10	205	Sr.
23 Gaje Ferguson	6-0	205	Jr.
SPECIAL TEAMS Kicker	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
62 Dominik Eberle	6-2	180	So.
60 Michael Smith	5-10	190	So.
Punter	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
89 Aaron Dalton	6-4	225	Jr.
92 Zach Lee	5-11	195	So.
Snappers	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
50 Emmitt Odegard	6-1	220	Sr.
57 Brandon Pada	5-10	205	RFr.
Holder	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
18 DJ Nelson	5-9	200	Jr.
89 Aaron Dalton	6-4	225	Jr.
Kick returner	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
21 LaJuan Hunt	5-8	195	Sr.
81 Savon Scarver	6-0	190	Fr.
Punt returner	Ht.	Wt.	Yr.
17 Zach Van Leeuwen	6-0	185	Jr.
16 Jordan Nathan	5-9	175	RFr.

Date	Opponent	Time/Result
Friday, Sept. 1	at Wisconsin	L, 59-10
Thursday, Sept. 7	Idaho State	W, 51-13
Saturday, Sept. 16	at Wake Forest	L 46-10
Saturday, Sept. 23	at San Jose State	W, 61-10
Friday, Sept. 29	BYU	W, 40-24
Saturday, Oct. 7	Colorado State	L, 27-14
Saturday, Oct. 14	Wyoming	L, 28-23
Saturday, Oct. 21	at UNLV	W, 52-28
Saturday, Oct. 28	Boise State	8 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
Saturday, Nov. 4	at New Mexico	3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 18	Hawaii	1 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 25	at Air Force	TBA (ESPN Networks)