Boise State football was ‘embarrassing’ in this stat last year. Now, it’s pretty good.
There usually can be a ray of sunshine spoken about any statistic for the Boise State football team. But one from last season brought out truly honest responses, and in turn inspired improvement this year:
Fourth downs.
In 2017, the Broncos were dead last in the nation converting them, at 17.6 percent (3 of 17).
“It was embarrassing last year,” junior running back Alexander Mattison said.
But this year, Boise State is converting 66.7 percent (8 of 12), which ranks tied for 25th in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
The improvement is obvious in the numbers, but the why is something a little less measurable.
As with most things, it boils down to execution, but there is also the confidence to get it done.
“That was a big emphasis in fall camp; we knew we were last in the country,” sophomore wide receiver CT Thomas said. “... I feel like we have a chip on our (shoulder) that we can go for it on fourth down and move the sticks.”
Said senior receiver A.J. Richardson: “With the offense we have, having an edge to us ... it can give the whole team a spark.”
Coach Bryan Harsin said there were times last season the Broncos punted on fourth down when normally they’d go for it, but there has not been that hesitance this season.
Boise State has gone for it seven times in two losses, inflating the numbers a bit, but it has converted fourth-and-3 or longer on six of eight tries. Two of those came last Saturday against Nevada: a Brett Rypien touchdown pass to Thomas on a fourth-and-6, and a successful 8-yard pass to Thomas on a fourth-and-8 to keep the final, clock-draining drive alive.
“Coach Harsin, to have that confidence to make those plays in that situation, is big-time, and that’s why you win games,” Rypien said, adding that he likes for his coach to take risks.
More so than in previous offseasons, the Broncos put their offense in tense situations, simulating fourth downs and having consequences for failing, such as extra runs or push-ups.
“You’d like to think there’s been some more planning ... how we’re preparing ourselves for those fourth downs during the week,” offenisve coordinator Zak Hill said.
Harsin said Monday that “I hope it continues,” adding that although the Broncos still will punt their usual amount, it gives the team more options if they’re in manageable situations.
“That felt good to go for it on fourth down, and get them. ... It was confidence in our players to get it done, and the emphasis was we could only go up from where we were,” Harsin said. “They wanted it, I think that’s a lot of it. They don’t want to get off the field.”
FAMILIAR FACE UNDER CENTER
Colorado State senior quarterback KJ Carta-Samuels is a graduate transfer from Washington, where he played under former Boise State coach Chris Petersen. Carta-Samuels and his older brother, Austyn, were both recruited by Boise State. KJ was on the sidelines in the 2015 opener when Boise State beat Washington 16-13.
“KJ came here, we liked him, still do, he can throw it, he’s fast. ... He was always good to us, fun to recruit,” Harsin said.
KJ told The Coloradoan this week that his final two choices out of high school were Washington and Boise State.
“It was either Petersen or Harsin,” Carta-Samuels said. “I took a visit out to both, and I liked Washington more.”
TAKING A TUMBLE FOR THE TEAM
Boise State’s coaches showed the team Tyler Horton’s 99-yard interception return for a touchdown multiple times this week. There was the senior’s ability to turn and immediately head upfield and read blocks, with teammates like Sonatane Lui (a potential guard, Harsin joked) and Jabril Frazier (who outran Horton) leading the way.
But there also was another thing everyone noticed — student equipment manager Keaton Davis running down the sideline, then trying to hurdle a Nevada player on the ground, unsuccessfully.
“It didn’t work out really well for him … he tried to pull an Alexander Mattison, and it just didn’t go well,” Harsin said.
Mattison, who has done it properly in multiple games, laughed and said, “I’ll help him out with his track form.”
EVANS STILL FINDING HIS WAY
Sophomore wide receiver Octavius Evans came into the season with some serious hype — he earned the No. 1 jersey, and in a group full of question marks, his solid frame and work ethic implied big things to come.
But an injury during fall camp caused him to miss nearly all of the first three games, and other receivers stepped up in his absence. He has two catches for 12 yards, but Harsin is bullish on him the rest of the season.
“It’s not that he’s trying to overcome something, it’s just a matter of getting him in the rotation,” Harsin said. “... I love Octavius, we all love him. He’s going to have his time to shine. There’s a lot of football left.”
QUICK HITS
Mattison was optimistic that the Broncos can have “opportunities” to move the ball on the ground this week, and there’s good reason. Boise State’s top rusher has averaged 168.6 yards per game in the Broncos’ seven games against Colorado State. ... Friday’s game ends a streak of 15 straight Saturday games for Boise State, the longest such stretch since the Broncos’ first non-Saturday game on Oct. 19, 2001. ... Fans are asked to wear orange Friday.
COLORADO STATE AT BOISE STATE
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Albertsons Stadium (36,387, FieldTurf)
TV: ESPN2 (Jason Benetti, Kelly Stouffer, Olivia Dekker)
Radio: KBOI 670 AM/KTIK 93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Records: BSU 4-2, 2-1 (won 31-27 at Nevada on Saturday); Colorado State 3-4, 2-1 (won 20-18 over New Mexico on Saturday)
Series: Boise State leads 7-0 (won 59-52 in OT in Fort Collins on Nov. 11, 2017)
Vegas line: Boise State by 23 1/2
Weather: Low 60s, clear
This story was originally published October 17, 2018 at 4:01 PM.