Ask a Wyoming writer: Multidimensional run game, experienced defense await Boise State
The Boise State football team is 14-1 against Wyoming, and the Broncos haven’t lost to the Cowboys since 2016. Those wins haven’t come easily, though, especially in recent years.
The Broncos had to hang on for a 17-9 win during a snowstorm in Laramie, Wyoming, last season. Boise State made a defensive stand in the final seconds of regulation that included a sack by Isaiah Bagnah and an interception by former Boise State safety Evan Tyler, who is now a player development assistant on former coach Bryan Harsin’s staff at Auburn.
In 2019, the Mountain West rivals’ game in Boise went into overtime after wide receiver Khalil Shakir scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to tie the score with a little more than 5 minutes left in regulation. Former Boise State kicker Eric Sachse connected on a 28-yard field goal in overtime to earn the Broncos’ 20-17 win.
Games against Wyoming are some of the most physical of the year, Boise State football coach Andy Avalos said.
“They pride themselves in how physical they are on both sides of the ball,” he said. “They always have a great running attack, and some of the schemes and how they run certain run plays is a little bit unique, and they do a really good job at that.”
Boise State defensive line coach Frank Maile spent five years coaching against Wyoming while at Utah State, and he echoed Avalos’ sentiments.
“Straight toughness and physicality,” Maile said. “That’s another team that prides itself on being blue-collar. That usually starts with the head coach (Craig Bohl) and that’s what his personality is.”
Josh Criswell, beat writer for the Wyoming Tribune Eagle and Laramie Boomerang, sat down with the Idaho Statesman to preview Boise State’s home game against the Cowboys on Friday (7 p.m., FS1).
Wyoming lost four games in a row before beating Colorado State last week. Were there any common themes that appeared in those losses and what changed against the Rams?
The biggest thing that stood out in those losses was the way the defense played. Maybe not the Air Force game where they had a rough second half, especially against the pass, but against New Mexico and Fresno State, the defense gave up 31 combined points and held Fresno State under 100 passing yards, which is unheard of. But the offense was nonexistent.
(The Cowboys) went 11 quarters without scoring a touchdown at one point. But once they got that first touchdown against San Jose State two weeks ago, they’ve actually scored a touchdown every quarter since then. I think the big thing (in the losses) was the offense was just at a standstill for almost a month. Last week, really for the first time since the Ball State game, they played a complete game and they kind of showed you what they’re capable of whenever they string it all together.
Levi Williams replaced Sean Chambers as the starting quarterback after a loss to New Mexico on Oct. 23. How are they similar as quarterbacks and how are they different?
I think they’re really similar. One thing that separates them a little bit is Chambers gives them more of that power run aspect. He’s just a big guy. You would see him dragging guys for 3 or 4 yards to get a first down, whereas Williams is a little more polished as a passer, especially on the deep ball. I think that’s one of the reasons they went to him. There were just way too many situations those first couple weeks of Mountain West play where they had (wide receiver) Isaiah Neyor open for what should have been touchdowns. By my count, there were at least three or four times where Chambers just overthrew it where all it took was a good pass and you’re scoring seven points.
They finally went to Williams, and he and Neyor have really developed a strong connection. That started last year whenever Williams came in and Neyor had his breakout freshman season, averaging more than 30 yards a catch. I think they’ve always had a strong chemistry — two guys from Texas who came into the program at the same time. They only went to Neyor three times last week after giving him 24 targets the previous three weeks, but I think it was a good thing because they weren’t forcing those passes, which resulted in interceptions the weeks leading up to that.
Xazavian Valladay has been one of the best running backs in the Mountain West for the last couple of years. What stands out about him on the field, and what can you tell us about No. 2 running back Titus Swen.
The big thing is you see the explosive, big-play ability from Xazavian Valladay. I think he’s had two or three runs where he’s over 70 yards on a carry this year. I think the thing that impresses me the most is he’s such a complete back, whether it’s blocking or catching balls out of the backfield. I think he’s the Pokes’ No. 3 receiver at the moment. He’s just an all-around threat, and he’s a big reason why Wyoming ranks No. 3 in the conference with 192 rushing yards a game.
Titus Swen has been a really fun guy to cover. I don’t think I ever would have said this before this year, but he might be even more explosive, from a speed standpoint, than Valladay. He’s just a really fast guy. He broke an 87-yard run to set up a touchdown when the Cowboys were backed up at their own goal line last week. Valladay has been really solid, but you haven’t seen those Mountain West-leading numbers we’re accustomed to, and a big part of that is because Swen has been so productive. I want to say he’s averaging over 5 yards a carry on the season, which is about all you can ask for from your No. 2 back.
Wyoming is known for having a physical defense, especially in the front seven. What stands out about that unit this year, and what makes Chad Muma one of the best linebackers in the conference?
They just really fly to the ball. I know that’s coach-speak, but it’s really true. You look up and every time a team tries to make a play on them, they’re all rallying to the ball. Stopping the run is what they’re known for, but they’re the best passing defense in the Mountain West by almost 30 yards a game. Wyoming is giving up 155.7 passing yards a game. They’ve just been really solid all around.
Muma has been great. I think anytime you have one of the 18 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award (nation’s top defensive player) on your team, he’s going to give you a huge edge. He’s a guy you see flying sideline to sideline. The guy next to him, Easton Gibbs, is a first-year starter, but he’s been really impressive. The defensive line is also loaded with experience and depth, and that’s what they need.
Craig Bohl said this week that veteran (defensive end) Solomon Byrd will be out for the year, so you’re definitely going to have some different guys stepping in. But (defensive end) Victor Jones has come on strong lately, and so has (nose tackle) Cole Godbout and (defensive end) Garrett Crall, who seems like he’s been here forever. They have a lot of depth and a lot of versatility. You don’t have a lot of guys that are going to get burned because of a lack of speed or overpowered because of a lack of strength. They’re just very steady. I think the only time they’ve struggled is when they’re missing tackling assignments.
Boise State has lost only once in 15 games against Wyoming, but the Broncos are having a down year by their standards. How does Wyoming, which is also having a tough year, view this game?
I think there’s a couple ways they’re looking at it. There are some guys who just want to get that win. Wyoming has had a history of struggles against Boise State, and I think you can say that for a lot of Mountain West teams. You mentioned Boise State being in a down year by their own standards, and I think the Cowboys feel the same way about themselves. That’s an area where they’re not overlooking anybody or looking down on Boise State for being 5-4, because they know they’re 5-4 and haven’t played up to their potential.
There are a couple guys who will play on the blue turf for the first time in their careers, so that’s always a unique thing, but overall I think they’re very locked in. With the struggles both of these teams have had, even though they were preseason favorites in the Mountain Division, I think they’re aware that neither team has played to their full potential this season.
What is going to decide this game, and what is your score prediction?
I think this game is going to be decided by one score, maybe a field goal. At least from Wyoming’s side of things, they’ve got to get the running game going. Anytime they’re successful, it’s because they’re able to dominate teams up front. But also I think protecting the football will be huge. That was big last week. It was the first time a Wyoming quarterback didn’t have a turnover in a game since mid-September.
I really like Wyoming’s chances. I’m also kind of curious because they shut down a good running quarterback in (Colorado State’s) Todd Centeio last week, but that’s really the thing that gives them more trouble than your traditional pocket passer. (Fresno State’s) Jake Haener, they made him a non-factor, and he’s one of the best arms in the country. (Boise State’s) Hank Bachmeier is not as mobile as some guys who have gashed them like (San Jose State’s) Nick Nash. For a score prediction, I really like Wyoming’s ability to carry over this momentum from last week’s win. It’s going to be tough on the road, but I’d say they win this one, 24-21.
WYOMING AT BOISE STATE
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Albertsons Stadium
TV: FS1 (Dan Hellie, Petros Papadakis). That’s channel 146 on Sparklight, 219 on DirecTV and 150 on Dish Network.
Radio: KBOI 670 AM/KTIK 93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Records: Boise State 5-4, 3-2 MW; Wyoming 5-4, 1-4 MW
Series: Boise State is 14-1 against Wyoming. The Broncos’ only loss in the series, dating back to 2002, was a 30-28 setback in Laramie in 2016. Boise State has won four straight in the series, including a 17-9 victory in the 2020 regular-season finale.
Vegas line: Boise State by 13.5
Weather: High of 57 degrees, 10% chance of rain, 5 mph winds
