At Nevada, Boise State will face a defense similar to one that just gave the Broncos fits
For a second straight week, Boise State’s offense faces the same type of unusual defense — and it could again fluster the Broncos, or they could right the ship to get some needed momentum.
Nevada runs a defense that’s similar to San Diego State’s, a 3-3-5 system that employs five defensive backs and likes to use pressure to create mistakes.
The Broncos mustered just 229 total yards against the Aztecs last Saturday, while the Wolf Pack held Fresno State to 271 yards in a 21-3 loss. Nevada allowed just 30 yards rushing, and will test a struggling Boise State run game.
“It’s a run-stop defense like San Diego State, and they did a good job with Fresno this week,” Boise State offensive coordinator Zak Hill said. “They like the movement and that poses problem within the communication piece ... they’re willing to put guys in the box to stop the run, and you’re either hitting the throws or you’re not.
“It’s the same kind of issues we’re looking at and working through.”
Though Nevada does not quite have the collection of talent that San Diego State has on its defense, or the experience that coach Rocky Long has with the scheme, it will give Boise State a chance to test improvements from last week.
The Wolf Pack are 47th nationally against the run (143.3 yards per game), and No. 7 in tackles for loss per game (8.8) and third-down conversion defense (26.1 percent). On the flip side, they are 103rd against the pass, giving up 262.3 ypg, but San Diego State was 105th before dominating the Broncos’ passing attack.
It could be tough sledding for Boise State’s rushing offense, which ranks 90th at 151.4 ypg, a number even more stunning when considering the Broncos are rushing for less than 90 ypg outside of Sept. 9’s rout of UConn.
“They provide, schematically, a lot of issues we’ve got to be prepared for,” Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said. “We want to run the ball ... but right now, we’re no good at it. We have a lot of football left and it better change.”
Said Nevada coach Jay Norvell: “Our defensive improvement is evident over the last couple weeks.”
Against San Diego State, Boise State felt it had been close to breaking some big gains, but had just one play of more than 20 yards against the Aztecs. With the margin of error slim, another week to prepare for a 3-3-5 defense could make a difference.
“A lot of times through that game, we felt like we got it rolling, but then something would happen ... in other games, we’ve overcome some of that stuff,” Hill said. “In that game, we never ended up making any of those plays ... we felt like hitting some of those shots were going to be big for our success — or the other way.”
On the other side of the ball, Nevada brings an offense that’s nothing like San Diego State’s. A week after facing the Aztecs’ run-heavy attack, the BSU defense will face Nevada’s Air Raid, which will throw plenty. The Wolf Pack attempt 38.3 passes per game, 23rd nationally, but also rush for 162.8 ypg, keeping defenses honest.
“Their Air Raid is something crazy, they have some tall receivers, their concepts are pretty different,” Boise State senior cornerback Tyler Horton said. “They like to sling the ball, and I think that’s where there’s going to try to attack us.”
BOISE STATE AT NEVADA
When: 8:30 p.m. MT Saturday
Where: Mackay Stadium (27,000, FieldTurf), Reno, Nev.
TV: CBS Sports Network (Rich Waltz, Aaron Murray, Cassie McKinney); CableOne ch. 139/1139, DirecTV ch. 221, Dish Network ch. 158
Radio: KBOI 670 AM/KTIK 93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Records: BSU 3-2, 1-1 (lost to San Diego State 19-13 on Saturday); Nevada 3-3, 1-1 (lost to Fresno State 21-3 on Saturday)
Series: Boise State leads 29-13 (won 41-14 on Nov. 4, 2017, in Boise)
Vegas line: Boise State by 17 1/2
Weather: Low 50s, clear