‘We all know he’s talented.’ Boise State’s Green is shrugging off running QB label
Chemistry between a quarterback and wide receiver is of paramount importance to a successful passing attack, and it takes time to develop.
When four-year starter Hank Bachmeier decided to transfer a little over a month ago, Boise State’s wide receivers had to find ways to build chemistry with new starter Taylen Green in a hurry.
Fortunately for senior wide receiver Stefan Cobbs, he and Green got a head start. They’re both Texas natives, and they met in Lewisville, Texas, to get some work in while they were home this summer.
“Taylen has always come to work,” Cobbs said. “We’re going to do whatever we need to do to connect, whether that’s getting work in after practice, doing extra on our own or whatever.”
Boise State’s passing attack was all but nonexistent through the first six weeks of the season, but it has come to life the past two games.
Green threw for what was then a career-high 227 yards two weeks ago against Air Force. Last week, he broke that mark with 305 passing yards and completed passes to nine different receivers in a 49-10 win over Colorado State.
Green and his receivers will try to keep the ball rolling Saturday (5 p.m., FS2) when Boise State hosts rival BYU.
Confidence is high among the receivers that they’re in for another big day, said Cobbs, who caught four passes for a season-high 91 yards against Colorado State.
He was one of four receivers who posted season highs in receiving yards last week, joining Billy Bowens (4 catches, 73 yards), Eric McAllister (2-48) and Davis Koetter (2-28).
Cobbs said Green’s growth as a passer had a lot to do with the group’s sudden success.
“We all know he’s talented,” Cobbs said. “When he’s rolling, it gets the whole offense and the whole team going.”
Boise State interim offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said the way Green spread the ball around against Colorado State speaks to his ability to go deep into his progressions to find an open receiver.
“You try to scheme it to where No. 1 is open, but that doesn’t always work, and a lot of guys don’t make it past No. 2,” Koetter said. “(Green) was getting through his progression at a high level.”
Koetter said the difference in the passing game the past two weeks has been the timing between Green and his receivers.
“A quarterback’s footwork has to be tied into the depth of his receivers,” Koetter said “If you’re late, you have to speed up your feet or take less steps. It’s not brain surgery.”
Boise State (6-2, 5-0 Mountain West) averaged 163 passing yards a game through the first four contests of the season and produced six passing touchdowns — three of which came against New Mexico.
The Broncos have averaged 198.2 passing yards a game and have produced four touchdowns through the air since Green took over at quarterback against San Diego State on Sept. 30.
Boise State coach Andy Avalos was quick to commend Green on his growth as a quarterback, but he also said the 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman still has room to grow.
“The way he commands the huddle leads to confidence at the line of scrimmage and confidence when ball is snapped,” Avalos said. “Last week was his best performance, but we’re not done growing.”
On Saturday, Green will face a BYU defense that is giving up 216.8 passing yards, 205 rushing yards and 31 points a game this season.
The Cougars (4-5) have given up at least 40 points three times this fall, and they’re on a four-game losing streak. That includes a 27-24 loss to East Carolina last week.
Despite the ugly statistics, Boise State isn’t looking past its rival. Records and stats have to be thrown out the window when it comes to some games, Boise State co-defensive coordinator Kane Ioane said.
That was true last year when a 2-3 squad from Boise State went to Provo, Utah, and knocked off then-No. 10 BYU.
“They’re a really well-coached team that can be very explosive and put a lot of points on the board,” Ioane said. “We know who we have coming into this stadium and the challenge that is in front of us.”
Boise State and BYU have played every year since 2012, and the Broncos have gone 6-4 during that span. The programs first met in 2003, but the series comes to an end this year.
BYU will join the Big 12 next season, and the Cougars have been adjusting their nonconference schedule to accommodate a rigorous eight-game league slate.
The Broncos and Cougars don’t have any future contests scheduled, but there is hope on both sides that the rivals will meet again.
“I don’t want to see a good thing end,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said Monday when asked about the series.
Boise State defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson said the same day that he hopes the programs will play again. Cobbs said playing the Cougars means a lot to the players, too.
“It’s a historic game,” Cobbs said. “It’s a game we look forward to every year.”
BYU AT BOISE STATE
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Albertsons Stadium
TV: FS2 (Dan Hellie, Petro Papadakis)
Radio: KBOI 670 AM/93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Records: Boise State 6-2, 5-0 MW; BYU 4-5
Series: Boise State is 8-4 in its all-time series with BYU, which dates back to 2003. The rivals have played one another every season since 2012.
Vegas line: Boise State by 7.5
Weather: 46 degrees at kickoff, 0% chance of rain, 10 mph wind
