Three keys to success for Boise State football as it welcomes App State
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Boise State must pressure AJ Swann to exploit his red-zone turnover tendency.
- Maddux Madsen can capitalize on App State's weaker pass defense with efficient throws.
- Broncos must stay focused despite looming Notre Dame matchup and large Vegas spread.
Boise State football welcomes Appalachian State to Albertsons Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the first matchup between the teams since 1994.
The Broncos (2-1) come into the game off a Mountain West Conference-opening 49-37 victory over Air Force and are looking to win their third straight. The visiting Mountaineers also are 2-1, but they lost in their Sun Belt Conference opener two weeks ago to Southern Miss, 38-22. They then had a bye week to prepare for the trip west.
From a strong-armed quarterback to an unbalanced defensive approach, here’s what the Broncos need to focus on to send fans home happy on Saturday night.
Force App State’s QB into conflict
Through the first three games of the season, App State’s offense ranks 13th in the nation for yards per game (519.7) and its passing game is No. 3 with 357.7 yards per game. That doesn’t bode well for a Boise State team allowing 225.7 yards per game through the air, which ranks 85th in the country, and getting beaten for big plays.
The Mountaineers’ offense is led by redshirt junior quarterback AJ Swann, described by Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson as having an “NFL arm.” The former four-star recruit has thrown for 879 yards and five touchdowns, but he’s also thrown four interceptions — three of those came in the loss to Southern Miss, and occurred in the red zone.
Swann isn’t one for tucking the ball and running, attempting just nine carries for 46 yards. If the Broncos’ pass rush, which has six sacks this season, can put Swann under pressure and force him into errant throws, that could decide the turnover battle and turn the game BSU’s way.
Fight fire with fire on offense
App State may love throwing the football, but this is the perfect opportunity for Boise State redshirt junior quarterback Maddux Madsen to show he can lead the offense.
The Mountaineers’ run defense ranks No. 8 in the nation, allowing just 61.7 yards per game — including keeping FCS opponent Lindenwood to an eye-popping minus-1 yard. Defensive coordinator D.J. Smith, a former NFL linebacker, has a strong group of linebackers who are efficient at plugging up holes and bringing down runners — linebacker Colton Phares leads the defense with 21 tackles.
However, App State’s pass defense is 70th in the nation, at 212.7 yards per game. Madsen is averaging 269.3 yards per game and already has four receivers with at least 100 yards, giving him a chance to spread the ball out on Saturday.
“I think personnel-wise, the coaches do a good job of utilizing all the athletes we have on offense,” said redshirt senior tight end Matt Lauter, who has 10 catches for 103 yards. “It’s cool to get everyone involved, and when that happens, the offense is just so much more explosive.”
Don’t think about Notre Dame yet
It would be human nature to look past the Mountaineers with a huge road game against Notre Dame next weekend. Danielson and the players know they’d do themselves no favors by looking ahead, and the coach is always about the next game up — and nothing else.
Danielson said Thursday that he doesn’t consider the App State game a “trap game,” with Boise State favored by 15.5 points.
“They’re a really good football team, and honestly, they’re leading us in a bunch of categories,” Danielson said. “So at the end of the day, if you’re picking just off of stats, which we talk about a lot, you should pick App State. This is a team that’s coming in here to beat us.”
Boise State vs App State
- When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday
- Where: Albertsons Stadium (33,000, turf)
- TV: FS1 (Noah Reed, Robert Smith)
- Radio: KBOI 670 AM/KTIK 93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
- Records: Boise State 2-1; App State 2-1
- Series: Boise State leads 1-0
- Vegas betting line: Boise State by 15.5
- Weather: 83 degrees, sunny, 0% chance of rain
