Boise State vs. Fresno State: Who gets the edge, players to watch in regular-season finale

When the Broncos run the ball ...

Boise State is coming off its second-worst rushing performance of the season, after having 90 yards against Air Force. The Falcons sold out to stop the run, but don’t expect Fresno State to do so. In every other game since the start of October, the Broncos had rushed for 140 yards or more.

The Bulldogs have one of the nation’s best rush defenses, tied for 16th at 118.2 yards per game allowed. Only Alabama (305) has rushed for more than 173 yards on them. Fresno State has allowed two runs of 30 yards or more, one of 10 teams nationally to allow so few.

[Boise State at Fresno State, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS Sports Network]

“They fly around, they know what they’re doing and they play pretty sound,” Boise State offensive coordinator Zak Hill said. “They don’t give up a bunch of explosive plays. ... They’re not giving up big chunk yardage. You have to go earn it.”

ADVANTAGE: Fresno State

When the Broncos pass the ball ...

In the past four games, Boise State has been outstanding throwing the ball. Junior quarterback Brett Rypien is 78-of-119 (65.5 percent) for 1,149 yards with 12 TDs and just one interception. Paired with senior Montell Cozart, the passing attack gives opposing defenses a tall task, especially with an improved receiving corps.

“It’s a two-headed monster, really,” Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford said. “Rypien is playing really well, they’re really explosive ... Cozart does a really good job. Both can create plays, no doubt. And they have a great group around them.”

Ranked 22nd nationally against the pass (189.3 ypg), the Bulldogs have given plenty of teams headaches. Five teams have thrown for more than 200 yards and just one, Washington, has thrown for more than 300. Fresno State has 25 sacks but isn’t taking too many risks (eight INTs).

ADVANTAGE: Push

When the Bulldogs run the ball ...

No running back has more than 552 yards (freshman Jordan Mims), but two others have 464 and 444 yards. It’s a balanced attack that averages 163.9 ypg and is pretty methodical, having just two rushes of 30 yards or more all season. One was by QB Marcus McMaryion.

“They rotate guys, like a lot of people do, to try to keep them fresh,” Boise State defensive coordinator Andy Avalos said. “Their O-line does a great job with their movements and being able to establish the line of scrimmage. We’re going to have to do a great job up front with our fundamentals and our techniques.”

Boise State has struggled at times stopping the run against balanced offenses (428 yards combined against Virginia and Colorado State), but the Broncos’ 3.5 yards per carry allowed this season is 20th nationally. Only Colorado State has rushed for more than 200 yards on them this season.

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

When the Bulldogs pass the ball ...

Junior quarterback Marcus McMaryion has made a major difference in his eight games as starter, as he ranks 28th nationally in pass efficiency (144.9), having thrown just three INTs. The Bulldogs have a deep group of receivers capable of big games and have allowed just seven sacks.

The Broncos have proven their young defense is fully capable of slowing down most passing attacks, either by the pass rush (28 sacks) or via turnover (12 interceptions). Their pass efficiency defense ranks 30th nationally (115.9).

“They have some good defensive backs, and they play really well together as a defense,” Fresno State wide receiver KeeSean Johnson said. “We’ll find a way. We take pride in helping each other make plays.”

ADVANTAGE: Push

Special teams ...

Boise State found a reliable kicker in junior Haden Hoggarth, who has made 15 of 17 field goals this season. The Broncos also have two punt-return TDs and rank 44th in net punting and 14th in punt-return defense. They are 80th in kickoff-return defense.

The Bulldogs rank 119th in punt-return defense, allowing 13.4 yards per return, and have allowed a touchdown. They have blocked two kicks, however. Fresno State is 53rd in kickoff returns, 66th in punt returns and 85th in net punting. The Bulldogs are 19-of-23 on field goals.

ADVANTAGE: Boise State

FRESNO STATE

Marcus McMaryion, quarterback

The junior transferred in from Oregon State as a graduate transfer in August, and he took over as the starter after a 1-2 start for the team (though the losses were to Alabama and Washington). He’s 8-1 at the helm, and is 146-of-233 passing for 1,880 yards with 12 TDs and three interceptions. He also has 192 rushing yards.

“The quarterback change has been a good one for them, they’ve been very productive,” Boise State defensive coordinator Andy Avalos said. “... He’s very capable within the pass game, but also being able to extend with his legs.”

KeeSean Johnson, wide receiver

At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, the junior is a good-sized target and has been reliable, hauling in four or more passes in 10 games. He leads the team with 58 catches for 741 yards and six TDs. He could challenge the school record of 233 career catches, as he sits ninth with 161.

“I just try to do as much as I can to help the team to win, so I just want to keep the good vibes rolling,” Johnson said. “It’s been fun this year, for sure.”

George Helmuth, linebacker

A backup early, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior had a sack that forced a fumble Sept. 16 at Washington, which helped earn him a starting gig. He has 61 tackles in eight games since, including 11 last week, which earned him Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors.

“From day one George was one of those guys that immediately bought in, which is how you make change fast,” linebackers coach Bert Watts told the Fresno Bee. “Right from the start. There was no sell for him.”

BOISE STATE

Sean Modster, wide receiver

When he had multiple drops in the Broncos’ Sept. 22 loss to Virginia, it was a game that could have damaged the junior. But he used it as a turnaround. His nine catches the past two games lead the team, and he has TDs in both contests, including Nov. 11 against Colorado State, when he had five catches in a 10-play span late in the win.

“Focusing on not accepting a drop, that’s been my big emphasis,” Modster said. “Confidence has a lot to do with how I’m playing. ... (At CSU), somebody had to make a play, give a spark.”

David Moa, defensive tackle

The junior led Boise State last season with 8.5 sacks, but thus far has just two in 2017. That isn’t to say he hasn’t been productive. When he missed Nov. 4’s game against Nevada, the Wolf Pack’s Kelton Moore was the first 100-yard rusher against the Broncos this year.

“When David Moa’s on the field, he makes a huge difference,” Avalos said. “It doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet. ... He is a foundation of this defense. When David’s in there, Boise State’s defense is better off.”

Gabe Perez, linebacker

Only one player on the Broncos’ roster has ever played at Fresno State, in 2013, and that was Perez. Battling injuries the last two seasons, he’s started five games and has 14 tackles. He forced a fumble last week against Air Force, and then got up to recover the loose ball.

“It’s amazing. I’ve enjoyed the experience,” Perez said. “My goal this season, coming back and playing one more year, was letting (injured) guys know they may be out this year ... but there will be a role for them. I feel awesome.”

This story was originally published November 24, 2017 at 12:31 PM with the headline "Boise State vs. Fresno State: Who gets the edge, players to watch in regular-season finale."