What’s for lunch? Boise State defensive standout has a little fun with BYU QB
As long as you get the job done, there’s no reason you can’t have a little fun, too.
Just ask Boise State STUD Curtis Weaver.
The 6-foot-3, 266-pound redshirt sophomore recorded two of Boise State’s seven sacks on BYU freshman quarterback Zach Wilson, increasing his team-leading total to 8.5 this season as the Broncos fended off the Cougars 21-16 on Saturday night at Albertsons Stadium.
The Broncos’ seven sacks were their most since getting eight against Arizona in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl.
While Weaver pounded Wilson — a former Boise State commit — into the blue turf, he attempted a little small talk.
“I asked him what he had for lunch yesterday. Nothing crazy,” Weaver said in a post-game press conference. “I’m not trash talking. I’m not that type of person.”
Weaver’s other get-to-know-your-opposing-QB question?
“What’s their favorite book,” he said.
With three games remaining in the regular season, Weaver has 18.5 career sacks, which is just a half sack short of cracking the top 10 on Boise State’s career leaders list.
For perspective, current Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence checks in at No. 7 on that list with 20 sacks in his two seasons at Boise State.
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Weaver’s performance Saturday helped spur a Boise State defense that also managed to collect a season-high 9.0 tackles-for-loss despite playing without four starters. Weaver led the Broncos in that category as well with 2.5.
HORTON FINDS THE BALL AGAIN
Late in the third quarter with Boise State leading 21-13, BYU was threatening to cut into the lead or tie. At the Broncos’ 40-yard line, the Cougars used some trickery with a lateral to receiver Neil Pau’u, who hit tight end Matt Bushman downfield, just out of cornerback Tyler Horton’s reach for the interception.
However, Horton turned around and tackled Bushman inside the 5-yard line, stripping the ball. As it rolled into the end zone, Horton dove onto the ball for the touchback. The senior came into the game tied for the national lead with three fumble recoveries.
“Huge ... they did a good job, they made a play, and he went and made a better play,” Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said.
Boise State didn’t score on the ensuing drive, as it ended with a failed fourth-and-11 pass attempt from the BYU 34.
BSU ADDS ANOTHER QB TO 2019 CLASS
Twice is nice when it comes to Boise State’s 2019 quarterback recruiting.
Already with the prolific Hank Bachmeier in the fold, the Broncos got a verbal commitment Saturday from a second quarterback in the upcoming class — Folsom (Calif.) High’s Kaiden Bennett.
Playing for what is often among the nation’s best offenses, Bennett has completed 141-of-185 passes for 2,871 yards this season with 44 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He’s rushed for 167 yards, but certainly can be a mobile option. Last season, in addition to 4,431 passing yards, the 6-foot, 175-pound Bennett rushed for 1,218.
According to 247Sports.com, Bennett also had offers from Utah, San Diego State and Cincinnati.
Bachmeier, who committed this summer, plans to enroll in January, according to the Los Angeles Times. His high school career ended Friday with a loss in the playoffs — he finished his career with 13,151 yards passing and 154 touchdowns.
The competition to replace Rypien next season will be intriguing, as sophomore-to-be Chase Cord will be out until at least fall camp after tearing his ACL last month. The Broncos currently have two other scholarship quarterbacks on the roster in junior Jaylon Henderson and freshman Riley Smith.
INJURY WOES CONTINUE FOR BRONCOS
Boise State was without a handful of players against BYU as wide receiver Octavius Evans, guard Eric Quevedo, nose tackle Sonatane Lui and defensive tackle Chase Hatada did not suit up.
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The Broncos were already without starting safety DeAndre Pierce and defensive tackle David Moa, who are both out for at least the regular season. Lui was out for a third straight game after starting the first five games. Hatada played in the first eight games and has 21 tackles on the year.
And the Broncos didn’t escape without any injuries against BYU.
Tight end Garrett Collingham appeared to hurt a shoulder on the Broncos’ first play of the game and never returned, and linebacker Riley Whimpey and receiver John Hightower both exited with injuries in the second half.
“I don’t know the status of all the other guys,” Harsin said. “I know the status of the guys that didn’t play, and I think we’ll get those guys back. They’ll be ready to go.”
QUICK HITS
Whimpey, who grew up in Utah and came into the game as Boise State’s leading tackler, was the single-game captain. … The Broncos wore blue helmets, blue pants and blue jerseys. … Junior nose tackle Matt Locher carried the Hammer. … BYU senior quarterback Tanner Mangum, an Eagle High graduate, was a captain for the Cougars. ... Running back Alexander Mattison led the Broncos with five receptions. ... True freshman defensive lineman Scott Matlock came into the game for one play in the second quarter for his Boise State debut. ... Already ranked No. 2 in the nation on third-down conversions, Boise State was 8-of-14 on third down Saturday. ... Harsin earned a $10,000 bonus for Saturday’s win.
This story was originally published November 4, 2018 at 2:44 AM.