Boise State vs. Nevada: Who gets the edge, players to watch as Broncos go for five in a row

WHO GETS THE EDGE?

When the Broncos run the ball ...

It is not a coincidence the Broncos have won four straight and averaged 168.3 rushing yards per game. That has enabled the offense to find balance and control the ball (no turnovers in the last 237:56). Sophomore Alexander Mattison has 447 yards in that span.

“Alex has really turned it up through the season,” Boise State offensive coordinator Zak Hill said. “... He’s developed into a real consistent back for us. (We’re) feeling like we can lean on him in those situations where we know we need to run the football, especially late in the game.”

Nevada, on the other hand, is among the worst rush defenses in the country, ranked 113th (216.6 yards per game). Air Force’s 550 yards inflates the numbers, but the Wolf Pack have allowed 1,022 rushing yards the last three games.

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

When the Broncos pass the ball ...

A long-awaited aerial attack showed up last Saturday at Utah State as Brett Rypien and Montell Cozart combined to complete 24 of 34 passes for 370 yards and five touchdowns. Seven players caught at least two passes, a variety coach Bryan Harsin said was “necessary.”

Nevada has allowed at least 229 passing yards to every team this season that isn’t Air Force, including four 300-yard games. The Wolf Pack also have only five interceptions to 20 TDs allowed. Their pass efficiency defense (166.62) is 125th in the FBS.

“They’re all over the place ... they give you a lot of different looks up front,” Harsin said. “They’ve got safeties and DBs all over the place. It looks like you’ve got 14 guys on the field. It’s difficult to figure out where your windows are.”

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

When the Wolf Pack run the ball ...

During the last three games, when Nevada has a win and two losses by a total of five points, the Wolf Pack have rushed for 481 yards, providing some balance to a system normally pass-heavy. Boise State’s athletic defense will be tested as Nevada will look to exploit it by being spread out.

“Every running back has a good O-line,” Boise State linebacker Tyson Maeva said. “They know what they’re doing, and they have a running back that can put his pads down and shake you at the same time.”

Boise State continues to impress against the run, having entered the week No. 7 in the FBS (102 ypg). Five of the Broncos’ eight opponents have been held under 100 yards. The Broncos’ depth in the front seven has been tested with some injuries, but the group hasn’t slipped.

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

When the Wolf Pack pass the ball ...

First-year coach Jay Norvell brought an Air Raid system, built on quick passes akin to Washington State’s. Such a change takes time but has shown signs of progress, with 1,073 yards and 12 TDs the last three weeks. Nevada has attempted 279 passes and allowed only 14 sacks.

During Boise State’s four-game win streak, the Broncos have allowed foes to complete just 49.6 percent of passes with three TDs to four INTs. Boise State has 21 sacks but didn’t have one last week. Teams have completed at least one pass more than 30 yards the last three weeks.

“Looking over Washington State, (we’re) trying to reflect on what we did well and what we didn’t that week,” Maeva said. “We have to make sure we’re in the right zones and make sure our communication is on point, which we struggled with against Washington State.”

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

Special teams ...

Boise State started off the season with a bang on special teams, and has maintained a high level all year. The Broncos rank No. 4 nationally in kickoff returns (27.4 yards per return) and are one of just eight teams with two or more punt return TDs, while kicker Haden Hoggarth (9-of-10) is No. 9 nationally in field-goal percentage.

Nevada is 55th nationally or worse in kickoff return, punt return, kickoff return defense and punt return defense. The Wolf Pack are 107th in net punting and kicker Spencer Pettit is 5-of-8 on field goals.

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BOISE STATE

Kekaula Kaniho, nickel

Naturally, the true freshman already has a touchdown (a 34-yard fumble return Oct. 14 at San Diego State). Kaniho scored five TDs last season as a senior at Kahuku (Hawaii) High. He made his first start last Saturday at Utah State and has 11 of his 17 tackles during the Broncos’ four-game win streak.

“He’s very intelligent, he’s a competitor,” defensive coordinator Andy Avalos said. “... There’s some intangibles in there that allow guys to (play early). He has that, the confidence, the awareness of what’s going on.”

Montell Cozart, quarterback

The senior graduate transfer from Kansas has been everything the Broncos could hope for, providing another weapon complementing junior Brett Rypien. His 275 rushing yards and four touchdowns are No. 2 on the team, and he’s 50-of-76 passing for 649 yards and nine TDs to one interception.

“I just came into it with the mindset of being humble, being patient and you have to be ready for your number to be called,” Cozart said. “I knew when the opportunity came, I was going to be ready for it.”

A.J. Richardson, wide receiver

He did not have a reception in the two games before Saturday at Utah State but quickly made an impact with a 32-yard reception on the first play of the game. The junior finished with four receptions for 65 yards, helping provide some much-needed variety in the passing game.

“One thing about him, he’s going to compete, he’s going to do whatever you need,” junior cornerback Tyler Horton said. “He’ll go on a deep route, he’ll go block. He’s quiet, in his own world, just focused.”

NEVADA

Kelton Moore, running back

After having just two carries for 10 yards last season, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound sophomore has 91 carries for 543 yards and two TDs. He has 346 yards and both rushing TDs in the last three games, plus a 57-yard TD pass and seven receptions for 121 yards.

“Big back, gets downhill, runs physical,” Boise State defensive coordinator Andy Avalos said. “They do a good job with the run game complementing the pass game.”

Austin Paulhus, linebacker

Paulhus wasn’t offered by Nevada until after signing day 2015 out of junior college. The senior is making the most of it. A 6-foot, 230-pound strongside linebacker, Paulhus has a team-high 79 tackles (10 for loss). He has three games with double-digit tackles, including 21 on Oct. 20 against Air Force.

“I believed in myself and thought I deserved a scholarship, so I kept working and kept doing it,” Paulhus told the Reno Gazette-Journal. “This is everything I dreamed of. It’s a huge deal for me.”

Ty Gangi, quarterback

Gangi started the final four games of last season and the first two in 2017. He lost the job for two games, then got it back. Since, the 6-foot-2 junior who started out as a walk-on at Colorado has completed 96 of 153 passes for 1,198 yards and 12 TDs with four INTs.

“Since they transitioned with the quarterbacks to Ty, they’ve done a really good job,” Avalos said. “Since he stepped in there, the offense has been really productive.”

This story was originally published November 3, 2017 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Boise State vs. Nevada: Who gets the edge, players to watch as Broncos go for five in a row."