‘Physicality’ puts Van Buren in mix to continue Boise State’s nation-best streak
It was a big enough moment — his first collegiate touchdown — but there was one part that made it even more special for Andrew Van Buren.
In his second game at Boise State, and his first at Albertsons Stadium, the then-true freshman running back scored late in the third quarter of a Sept. 8 blowout of UConn. What he remembers most was something unique.
“It was a very cool experience. I made eye contact with one young fan … kept my eyes on him,” Van Buren said. “I was in his shoes once, maybe seeing someone score their first touchdown.”
Van Buren scored another two months later at New Mexico, but he and the Broncos hope he’ll have plenty more as a sophomore.
In a competition to replace Alexander Mattison, Van Buren has a big opportunity as the top returning running back (163 yards). In recent seasons, the likes of Mattison and Jeremy McNichols played as true freshmen, then graduated into much bigger roles.
However, Van Buren has others vying for the job, including junior Robert Mahone, redshirt freshman Danny Smith and two incoming freshmen this summer. Coach Bryan Harsin said early in spring practices that “Van Buren has to elevate his game.”
“He’s done a good job, he was better (Saturday),” Harsin said following the Broncos’ closed scrimmage. “He’s a hard worker, really trying to get those things done.”
Van Buren said he is aware of the expectations placed on him from the inside and the outside as someone who got on the field early and was a highly touted recruit. He also knows that whoever wins the job will be expected to make it 11 straight seasons a Bronco has rushed for 1,000 yards, extending the nation’s longest streak.
“That’s a big milestone and we’ll do everything in our power to keep that going,” Van Buren said. “We’re focusing on spring ball, but when that time comes, I’m sure we’ll get it done. We hold ourselves on a higher pedestal, knowing the guys that came before.”
Harsin noted that losing quarterback Brett Rypien and Mattison has made it a little more difficult giving TLC to both positions. He hopes the whole group continues to push themselves, Van Buren included, to make it potentially easier for the new quarterback.
“It’s a hard gauge for us sometimes when you lose a guy like Mattison and you feel like you need to get right back to where we left off,” Harsin said. “I wouldn’t say we’ve been giving the running backs the opportunity they would if we had Brett back … it’s been a hard balance breaking in the running backs and the quarterbacks.”
Van Buren (6-foot, 220 pounds) said he “definitely brings a physicality” to the position. He had the second-longest run by a running back the first 10 games last season with his 23-yarder at Wyoming on Sept. 29.
In Boise State’s first six games last season, Van Buren had 26 carries, then eight in the last seven games as Mattison became a mighty workhorse. Even though his usage dropped late in the year, Van Buren said he learned plenty from getting on the field and that he’ll be put in the role that he earns this season.
“Definitely wasn’t frustrating. This is a great program,” Van Buren said. “You’ve just got to trust in your role and I trust in these coaches. I know they’ll put me in the right position for success.”
This story was originally published April 3, 2019 at 4:19 PM.
