Who has the edge, players to watch as Boise State faces Washington in Las Vegas Bowl
WHO HAS THE EDGE?
When the Broncos run the ball
With the prospect of its first 13-win season since 2009 and a bowl victory over a Power Five opponent, Boise State isn’t going to be lacking in motivation, but the offensive line has a little extra incentive to open running lanes Saturday.
True freshman running back George Holani is 21 yards shy of making it 11 straight seasons at Boise State with a 1,000-yard rusher, and the offensive linemen don’t take that lightly.
“It’s definitely something we’ve discussed, and we’re going to try to achieve that on Saturday,” left tackle Ezra Cleveland said Thursday. “He’s going to get it.”
The Huskies have been stout against the run this year. They’re giving up 130.4 yards a game, which ranks No. 5 in the Pac-12 and No. 31 in the country. Washington held two of its past three opponents — Oregon State and Washington State — to fewer than 100.
Edge: Push
When the Broncos pass the ball
Boise State’s wide receivers have consistently carried the team this season. Whether it’s John Hightower outrunning the defense, Khalil Shakir or CT Thomas coming up with clutch catches or veterans like Akilian Butler and Octavius Evans coming up with a big grab, the Broncos have no shortage of playmakers at the position.
Hightower leads the team with 923 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, and Shakir has 10 total touchdowns on the year (6 receiving, 3 rushing, 1 passing).
The thing is, Washington isn’t exactly lacking playmakers in the secondary. The Huskies are giving up 225.1 passing yards a game, which ranks No. 2 in the Pac-12, and they’re holding opposing quarterbacks to a 122.07 rating, which ranks No. 33 in the country.
Even with three true freshmen seeing starting snaps, the Huskies’ secondary held its own against Washington State’s pass-happy offense and NFL-bound quarterbacks, such as Oregon’s Justin Herbert. Junior safety Elijah Molden leads the team with 70 tackles, and he’s tied with freshman cornerback Cameron Williams with a team-high three interceptions.
“This is a great opportunity for us to show what we can do, and we receivers know it’s our job to get downfield and make plays,” Hightower said. “I’m excited to get out there. it’s going to be a great game.”
Of course, whoever starts at quarterback for Boise State will have an impact on the team’s success through the air. Senior Jaylon Henderson has started the past four games — all wins — and shown flashes of a strong, accurate arm, but his best contributions of late have been made with his legs. True freshman Hank Bachmeier is the best pure passer on the team, but he hasn’t played since Nov. 2 at San Jose State.
When asked Tuesday if he thought Bachmeier and sophomore Chase Cord would play Saturday, Boise State coach Bryan Harsin responded, “Yes, 100 percent.” Cord hasn’t played since he started an overtime win Nov. 9 against Wyoming.
Edge: Push
When the Huskies run the ball
Boise State hasn’t been gashed on the ground very often this season. The Broncos are giving up 112.3 yards a game, which ranks No. 4 in the Mountain West and No. 19 in the nation. Aside from a 38-yard run, the Broncos held Florida State running back Cam Akers in check in the season opener. Since then, they held four opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards, including 59 against San Jose State.
In the Mountain West championship game, they held Hawaii to 79 yards.
“We always go into a game with a goal to stop the run, especially in a game like this,” Boise State defensive lineman Chase Hatada said. “They have a talented runner and a good offensive line, so it’s going to be a great challenge.”
Washington returned four starting offensive linemen this fall, led by four-year starting center Nick Harris — a first-team All-Pac-12 pick. The Huskies won’t have their top lineman, left tackle Trey Adams, who opted to skip the bowl game in preparation for the NFL Draft, but they flipped 6-7, 313-pound veteran tackle Jared Hilbers from right to left and replaced him with 6-6, 326-pound sophomore Henry Bainivalu.
That line is blocking for junior running back Salvon Ahmed, who is averaging 90.9 yards a game, hit 1,000 rushing yards on the nose this season and leads the Huskies with nine rushing touchdowns.
Edge: Boise State
When the Huskies pass the ball
The Huskies’ passing game took a big hit as soon as the Las Vegas Bowl matchup was announced when Hunter Bryant — one of the top receiving tight ends in the country — announced he would skip the bowl game in preparation for the NFL Draft.
Bryant leads Washington with 825 receiving yards and a 68.8-yard average per game. With him out of the picture, senior wide receiver Aaron Fuller (54 catches, 673 yards, six TDs) will have to pick up the slack. But Bryant didn’t just give the Huskies a deep threat. He gave them a physical presence.
“We have some guys out there with experience and plenty of ability, but it’s going to take more than one guy to replace that kind of production,” Washington coach Chris Petersen told the media Tuesday.
The Broncos’ defense wasn’t snagging many interceptions early in the year, but that changed late. Boise State has produced five in the past three games, including one by safety Kekoa Nawahine in the end zone in the Mountain West title game against Hawaii and a pick-six by cornerback Jalen Walker at Utah State.
Edge: Boise State
Special teams
Washington kicker Peyton Henry is 18-of-20 on field goals with a long of 49 yards, and punter Joel Whitford averages 44.8 yards per punt with seven covering more than 50 yards. Wide receiver Sean McGrew averages 25.3 yards per return and Ahmed is averaging 23.2. Fuller handles the punt returns and averages 12.4 yards with one returned for a touchdown.
Boise State’s Eric Sachse is 14-of-17 with a long of 41 yards, and punter Joel Velazquez averages 39.6 yards per boot. Hightower averages 25.4 yards per kick return, and Avery Williams is the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year after returning two punts for touchdowns, and blocking a punt and an extra point.
Edge: Push
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BOISE STATE
Curtis Weaver, STUD
There’s a lot of speculation about if the Las Vegas Bowl will be Weaver’s final game in a Boise State uniform. He has repeatedly said he’ll worry about the NFL after the game, and the Broncos are going to need him focused on the task at hand. Washington quarterback Jacob Eason is a talented passer, but he isn’t the most mobile of quarterbacks, so the Broncos need Weaver in the backfield flushing him out of the pocket and forcing him to make throws on the run.
Weaver struggled to get off blocks in the Mountain West championship game against Hawaii, but he leads the conference and ranks No. 5 in the country with 13.5 sacks this season.
“We want to finish our goal that we have in the team room,” said Weaver, referring to a message painted on the wall at the front of the Broncos’ auditorium-style team meeting room, which begins with winning a conference title. “It says bowl game, too, so that’s what we want to do.”
George Holani, RB
Holani is 21 yards shy of extending Boise State’s streak of seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher to 11 straight. But the true freshman has been quiet since posting a career-high 178 yards and a couple of touchdowns Nov. 23 at Utah State. He only managed 42 yards the following week at Colorado State, and 67 in the conference title game against Hawaii.
He’s listed on Boise State’s roster at 192 pounds, but he said Thursday he’s more like 210. Holani is a load to bring down, and the Broncos need him to be a physical, explosive presence on Saturday to get Washington’s talented secondary peeking into the backfield and open the passing game.
“I’ve just been thinking about going out and just doing the best that I can, getting as many yards as I can and just going out there and doing my job,” Holani said. “It’s definitely been a blessing to have the coaches trust in me to go out there and do what I do.”
Khalil Shakir, WR
Shakir is quickly becoming the Broncos’ go-to guy when they need a clutch play. Whether it’s leaping over a defender for a key catch on a scoring drive, beating the defense to the pylon on an end-around or throwing a touchdown, he’s done it all this season. That’s why he shared co-offensive MVP honors with fellow receiver John Hightower at the team’s annual awards banquet.
Shakir leads Boise State this fall with 60 receptions, and he’s second with 834 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He also has three rushing touchdowns, and he threw his first career touchdown pass on a shovel pass Nov. 16 against New Mexico.
WASHINGTON
Jacob Eason, QB
After beating current Georgia starter Jake Fromm for the starting job in 2017 and suffering a season-ending injury in the opener, Eason transferred to Washington and sat out last season. This fall, his 22 touchdown passes rank No. 5 in the Pac-12. He’s completing 63.8 percent of his passes and has thrown for 2,922 yards with just eight interceptions.
Eason (6-6, 227) has the size and arm strength to attract plenty of NFL scouts to wherever he’s playing. He has thrown at least three touchdown passes in a game five times this season, and went to the air for four scores twice. He isn’t nearly as mobile as some of the quarterbacks the Broncos have faced, but he may be the best pure passer they’ve seen all year.
“To pressure and confuse a quarterback is always our goal,” Weaver said. “He’s a dog, physically and mentally. He’s a guy we’ve got to pay attention to schematically, and they have guys on the outside who can hurt you.”
Salvon Ahmed, RB
With tight end Hunter Bryant opting to skip the game in preparation for the NFL Draft, an already pedestrian group of receivers took a big hit, so the Huskies are going to need some help from the running game. That’s Ahmed’s cue. The junior has appeared in 38 career games, and this fall he became the ninth Washington running back to crack 1,000 yards in the past 10 seasons.
Ahmed put up a season-high 174 yards and two touchdowns on the ground Nov. 8 at Oregon State, but he has been held mostly in check since. In the Huskies’ inexplicable loss at Colorado, he was limited to 29 yards on 13 carries. In the Apple Cup, Washington State held him to 85 yards.
“He’ll make you miss in the backfield, he’ll cut it up and he’ll do a lot,” Weaver said. “He’ll run through you. That’s what makes him dynamic and what led him to 1,000 yards.”
Joe Tryon, OLB
Consider Tryon Washington’s version of Curtis Weaver. He may not be a potential first-round pick, but he’s a dynamic pass rusher off the edge and he has the athleticism to drop back in coverage, though he doesn’t do it nearly as often as Weaver. Tryon knows how to use his 6-5, 262-pound frame and an impressive wingspan to beat blockers at the line of scrimmage.
Tryon leads the Huskies with eight sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.
BOISE STATE DEPTH CHART
Quarterback
9 Jaylon Henderson, 6-1, 210 (RSr.)
19 Hank Bachmeier, 6-1, 202 (Fr.)
10 Chase Cord, 6-2, 208 (RSo.)
Running back
24 George Holani, 5-11, 192 (Fr.)
34 Robert Mahone, 5-10, 218 (RJr.)
21 Andrew Van Buren, 6-0, 223 (So.)
Wide receiver
16 John Hightower, 6-2, 172 (Sr.)
1 Octavius Evans, 6-1, 209 (Jr.)
Wide receiver
6 CT Thomas, 5-8, 182 (Jr.) OR
2 Khalil Shakir, 6-0, 186 (So.)
Wide receiver
7 Akilian Butler, 5-10, 182 (RSr.)
82 Stefan Cobbs, 6-0, 178 (RFr.)
18 Billy Bowens, 6-1, 187 (RFr.)
Tight end
85 John Bates, 6-6, 255 (RJr.)
5 Garrett Collingham, 6-4, 242 (RSr.)
47 Matt Pistone, 6-3, 246 (RSr.)
Left tackle
76 Ezra Cleveland, 6-6, 310 (RJr.)
73 Nick Crabtree, 6-7, 295 (RJr.)
Left guard
77 John Molchon, 6-5, 318 (RSr.)
72 Dallas Holliday, 6-3, 306 (RFr.)
Center
67 Garrett Larson, 6-4, 303 (RSr.)
55 Kekaniokoa Holomalia-Gonzalez, 6-2, 293 (RFr.)
Right guard
79 Eric Quevedo, 6-4, 302 (RSr.)
68 Jake Stetz, 6-2, 294 (RSo.)
Right tackle
70 John Ojukwu, 6-6, 300 (RSo.)
69 Garrett Curran, 6-5, 292 (RFr.)
Defensive end
93 Chase Hatada, 6-3, 262 (Sr.)
54 Matt Locher, 6-2, 270 (RSr.) OR
40 Jabari Watson, 6-1, 269 (RJr.)
Nose tackle
98 Sonatane Lui, 6-1, 283 (Sr.)
57 Emmanuel Fesili, 6-2, 312 (Sr.) OR
90 Scale Igiehon, 6-2, 306 (So.)
Defensive tackle
55 David Moa, 6-3, 296 (6YSr.)
62 Scott Matlock, 6-4, 283 (RFr.)
STUD end
99 Curtis Weaver, 6-3, 265 (RJr.)
38 Demetri Washington, 6-3, 254 (RFr.)
Weak-side linebacker
44 Riley Whimpey, 6-1, 233 (Jr.)
3 Brandon Hawkins, 6-2, 217 (RFr.)
Middle linebacker
25 Benton Wickersham, 6-2, 230 (R.Jr.)
48 Bruno DeRose, 5-11, 223 (RJr.)
Nickel/strong-side LB
28 Kekaula Kaniho, 5-10, 182 (Jr.)
20 Roman Kafentzis, 6-1, 212 (RSo.)
Cornerback
26 Avery Williams, 5-9, 198 (RJr.)
8 Markel Reed, 6-0, 176 (Fr.)
Cornerback
15 Jalen Walker, 6-0, 179 (RJr.)
22 Tyric LeBeauf, 6-2, 180 (RFr.)
Boundary safety
10 Kekoa Nawahine, 6-2, 207 (Sr.)
33 JL Skinner, 6-4, 213 (Fr.)
Field safety
32 Jordan Happle, 5-11, 208 (RJr.)
21 Tyreque Jones, 6-2, 201 (RSo.)
Kicker
36 Eric Sachse, 5-10, 198 (RSr.)
46 Joel Velazquez, 6-0, 225 (RJr.)
Kick returner
16 John Hightower, 6-2, 172 (Sr.)
26 Avery Williams, 5-9, 198 (RJr.)
Punter
46 Joel Velazquez, 6-0, 225 (RJr.)
36 Eric Sachse, 5-10, 198 (RSr.)
Punt returner
26 Avery Williams, 5-9, 198 (RJr.)
2 Khalil Shakir, 6-0, 186 (So.)
WASHINGTON DEPTH CHART
Quarterback
10 Jacob Eason, 6-6, 227 (Jr.)
11 Jacob Sirmon, 6-5, 234 (R-Fr.)
Running back
26 Salvon Ahmed, 5-11, 195 (Jr.)
25 Sean McGrew, 5-7, 186 (Jr.)
Wide receiver
2 Aaron Fuller, 5-11, 188 (Jr.)
82 Jordan Chin, 6-0, 174 (Jr.)
Wide receiver
6 Chico McClatcher, 5-8, 183 (Sr.)
4 Terrell Bynum, 6-1, 189 (So.)
Wide receiver
5 Andre Baccellia, 5-10, 1755 (Sr.)
8 Marquis Spiker, 6-3, 193 (R-Fr.)
Tight end
87 Cade Otton, 6-5, 246 (So.)
37 Jack Westover, 6-3, 241 (R-Fr.)
Left tackle
70 Jared Hilbers, 6-7, 313 (Sr.)
71 Nate Kalepo, 6-6, 346 (Fr.)
Left guard
76 Luke Wattenberg, 6-5, 300 (Jr.)
68 M.J. Ale, 6-6, 352 (R-Fr.)
Center
56 Nick Harris, 6-1, 302 (Sr.)
78 Matteo Mele, 6-5, 305 (R-Fr.)
Right guard
51 Jaxson Kirkland, 6-7, 315 (So.)
59 Henry Roberts, 6-6, 295 (Sr.)
Right tackle
66 Henry Bainivalu, 6-6, 326 (So.)
79 Victor Curne, 6-3, 320 (R-Fr.)
Defensive end
55 Ryan Bowman, 6-0, 277 (Jr.)
588 Zion Tupuola-Fetui, 6-3, 266 (R-Fr.)
Defensive tackle
95 Levi Onwuzurike, 6-3, 293 (Jr.)
91 Tuli Letuligasenoa, 6-2, 318 (R-Fr.)
Defensive tackle
90 Josiah Bronson, 6-3, 291 (Sr.)
8 Benning Potoa’e, 6-3, 290 (Sr.)
Outside linebacker
9 Joe Tryon, 6-5, 262 (So.)
52 Ariel Ngata, 6-3, 213 (So.)
Linebacker
30 Kyler Manu, 6-1, 246 (Sr.)
43 Jackson Sirmon, 6-3, 238 (R-Fr.)
Linebacker
48 Edefuan Ulofoshio, 6-0, 231 (R-Fr.)
13 Brandon Wellington, 6-0, 226 (Sr.)
Cornerback
20 Asa Turner, 6-3, 191 (Fr.) OR
16 Cameron Williams, 6-0, 191 (Fr.)
Safety
5 Myles Bryant, 5-8, 185 (Sr.)
11 Alex Cook, 6-1, 203 (So.)
Safety
27 Keith Taylor, 6-3, 195 (Jr.)
21 Dominique Hampton, 6-2, 208 (R-Fr.)
Safety
3 Elijah Molden, 5-11, 190 (Jr.)
23 Brandon McKinney, 6-0, 201 (Jr.)
Cornerback
22 Trent McDuffie, 5-11, 185 (Fr.) OR
19 Kyler Gordon, 6-0, 190 (R-Fr.)
Kicker
47 Peyton Henry, 5-11, 197 (So.)
37 Tim Horn, 6-2, 211 (Fr.)
Kick returner
25 Sean McGrew, 5-7, 186 (Jr.)
6 Chico McClatcher, 5-8, 183 (Sr.)
Punter
32 Joel Whitford, 6-3, 209 (Sr.)
Punt returner
2 Aron Fuller, 5-11, 188 (Sr.) OR
6 Chico McClatcher, 5-8, 183 (Sr.)
NO. 18 BOISE STATE VS. WASHINGTON
What: Las Vegas Bowl
When: 5:30 p.m. MT Saturday
Where: Sam Boyd Stadium (35,500), Las Vegas
TV: ABC (Bob Wischusen, Kirk Herbstreit, Molly McGrath)
Radio: KBOI 670 AM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Records: Boise State is 12-1; Washington is 7-5
Series: The series is tied 2-2 (last meeting: Boise State won 16-13 in 2015 in Albertsons Stadium)
Vegas line: Washington by 3.5
Weather: High of 57 degrees, mostly cloudy, 4 mph wind
