This Boise State linebacker may have earned a place in program history with timely pick
Boise State linebacker Ezekiel Noa had a career night Saturday in a 40-20 win over Fresno State, and it was many years in the making.
Noa is a sixth-year senior who missed most of the 2019 season with a torn ACL, and struggled the past couple of years to return to the form he was used to before the injury.
He exorcised many of those demons Saturday night. Noa notched the first interception of his career, recorded a sack and forced a fumble.
The 5-foot-11, 240-pound native of Spring Valley, California, is the sixth Boise State player in program history to earn such a stat line in a game. He’s the first Bronco to do it since former defensive back Kekaula Kaniho in the 2017 Las Vegas Bowl.
“I try to never take things for granted,” said Noa, who added six tackles and two tackles for loss on Saturday. “I’m just truly blessed to be able to go out there every day.”
The first player to run onto the field and celebrate with Noa after his interception was his young brother, Elelyon, a former Utah State running back who transferred to Boise State this year.
“We’re thankful to be playing with each other,” Ezekiel said. “To be able to make that play and see him there for the support, it’s truly a blessing.”
Ezekiel Noa has been solid this year. He has two forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks to his credit, and he’s third on the team with 27 tackles.
He has had some nice moments in the final season of his college career, but his interception will be memorialized for years at Boise State, coach Andy Avalos said after Saturday’s game.
“That’s going to be the picture that probably gets hung up around here,” Avalos said. “He went two eyes and two hands as (wide receivers coach Matt Miller) always talks about in the snatch life.”
Broncos set attendance record
A record crowd packed into Albertsons Stadium on Saturday.
The announced attendance was 37,663, a new high mark for the stadium. The previous record was 37,426 in a home loss to Nevada last season.
Boise State is averaging 36,323 fans at home games this season.
Broncos without 5 players, including punter
Boise State offensive lineman Ben Dooley missed his sixth straight game Saturday with an undisclosed injury.
Center Kekaniokao Holomalia-Gonzalez, edge rusher Deven Wright and defensive end Cortez Hogans Jr. also missed the game because of injuries
Mason Randolph started for Dooley at right guard, and Texas Tech transfer Will Farrar started at center for the third game in a row.
Freshman punter James Ferguson Reynolds also missed the game for undisclosed reasons. A spokesperson for Boise State wouldn’t confirm why, but said it was not because of an injury or for disciplinary reasons. Freshman Will Ferrin handled the punting duties.
Quick hits
The Broncos wore blue jerseys, black pants and black helmets. ... Team captains Scott Matlock and John Ojukwu were joined by safety JL Skinner and running back George Holani as game captains. ... Boise State won the coin toss and deferred. ... Boise State was led onto the field by safety Alex Tuebner, who carried the Dan Paul Hammer. ... Running back Tyler Crowe carried the American flag and defensive end George Tarlas carried the Bleed Blue flag.
This story was originally published October 9, 2022 at 2:36 AM.
