One thing about playing in games that really mean a lot is the anxiety that comes with it. I hate it. But that’s how it goes when you invest too much emotion into sports (or things in general). The Broncos face off against a California State University Fresno team that is most assuredly different than the first go around earlier in the season. Jake Haener is a good QB that will be playing on Sundays. The focus for the Broncos will be to keep defensive mistakes to a minimum while taking advantage of every opportunity on offense.
The first series for the Broncos started ok when the Bulldogs kicked the opening kickoff out of bounds and getting a start on the 35-yard line. The Broncos had made it all the way to the Fresno 35 (thanks to a Riley Smith catch from Taylen Green for 22-yards) before turning the ball over on downs. Have to appreciate the aggressiveness early on.
The rest of the first quarter was somewhat of a puntfest. Outside of California State University Fresno making it to the redzone late, neither offense was able to “get it done” as it were. Luckily for the Broncos, the Bulldogs pushed a field goal attempt wide right to avoid an early hole.
The Broncos did manage to get up 3-0 midway through the second quarter but a special teams TD and a tipped pass for a rare Green interception gave the Bulldogs momentum late taking a 14-3 lead.
Broncos were able to get down the field with 78 seconds left in the half and get another FG on the board to close the gap somewhat, 14-6.
Coming into the half the Broncos did start with some decent momentum by stopping the Bulldogs on their first two drives, while scoring another three to get to 14-9.
The special teams for the Broncos didn’t quite come through for the Broncos allowing the second quarter punt return for a touchdown and then a dubious roughing the kicker call giving the Bulldogs some life. With that extended life, the Bulldogs did go down the field and score to go up 21-9.
As the Broncos got the ball back for their next offensive series, Taylen Green started pressing and, unfortunately, turned the ball over again to Fresno State’s Lockridge.
The Bulldogs found their offensive rhythm and marched down the field for Mims TD putting them up 28-9.
On what felt like garbage time plays, the Broncos did manage to get one offensive TD to close the gap 28-16.
The turnaround for the Broncos to go from 2-2 then a 7-2 stretch isn’t something to overlook. The Broncos have a young team and the right OC hire can really open up the opportunities for the Broncos.
Until then, it’s on to the bowl game, whichever that is.
I’m trying to decide between embarrassing and disappointing? I’ll go with disappointing. The only question now is what bowl BSU will draw. Anything but the Idaho Potato Bowl in my opinion. Nothing could be more disrespectful than a bowl game on your own home field.
A tough loss and rough way to end an otherwise positive season. The boys in blue fought their hearts out. I saw a lot of very banged up Broncos who missed numerous games recently out there playing today. That shows a lot of heart. The Broncos Defense shined bright all season long. Im not sure why we stopped running the ball in the second half today. #24 Holani was running strong. And #2 Genty didn’t carry the rock nearly as much as usual? Unfortunately T Green picked a bad day to have an off game. I hope the Broncos can… Read more »
I can’t say as I’m really surprised. Jeff Tedford is a very good, and intelligent, coach. He knows we have a freshman QB, and I’m quite sure he knew the weaknesses, which he exploited. Hats off to Fresno for the win. As far as our Broncos, given how we started the year with Bachmeier, I had no expectations of being in the title game, yet here we were! The ceiling is very high for this team, and experience will do nothing but strengthen Green, Jeanty, Holani (if he stays), and the rest of the relatively new players we have, both… Read more »
My take on this game was that Taylen never looked comfortable. I think the pressure of the “big game” took over his nerves. The defense played well, but they were put on their heals with the INT’s. Dalmas did his job. He did what a kicker is supposed to do, put up points. It seemed to me that Koetter was dead set on throwing the ball come hell or high water. He didn’t use his running backs to their potential. It hurt the offense. All in all it has been a fun season to watch with a few exceptions. Welp,… Read more »
Not a great game. But considering how the season started, it was a positive year. Unfortunately, not having Green as the starter with Koetter in the offseason caught up to us. I think that would have made a world of difference for him.
All that said, a lot of young talent on this team! Looking forward to the bowl game and seeing what they do at OC. That’s going to be huge for this program and will seal Avalos’ fate as head coach one way or the other. Hope they select someone that can develop quarterbacks!
That roughing call was a dagger, and a poorly called one at that, I mean who knows, maybe at that point the boys in blue come out there and march down the field, take the lead and never look back, but I think that call broke the spirit of the D who had put it all on the line to that point.
Well so much for cracking the top 25
Special teams was a let down. Green had his worst day as a starter. Every QB has bad days and can’t choose when to have them. The D was impressive given what was given them. To me, they did so well Haener was not a factor. Andy has had two years to produce a team that can when the championship and at least crack the top 25. He’s done neither. The only reason he was able to bring the Broncos to the championship this year had nothing to do with him. Dirk Koetter just happened to live nearby. The logical… Read more »
Imo ..I don’t know why we abandoned the run it was working..then you start throwing the ball and with a kid that needs a lot of work in check downs not throwing in double coverage..and the head coach is not a head coach like one gentleman said Avalos had two years to make a very good ye but has failed jmo.
Did it bother anyone else besides me to hear Kirby Moore, the former bronco and Kellen Moore’s brother is the offensive coordinator for the Fresno State Bulldogs? It did me. We should try to lure him away from the Bulldogs. It would be a parallel jump to become our OC but we could pay him more money. You would think he might be interested in coaching for his alma mater. Another thing that has been bothering me is Taylen Greens throwing motion. Number 10 has a nice quick release and sees the field fairly well, but his throwing motion makes… Read more »
Two things… We need to win this bowl game. Our Bowl reputation the last few years has been dwindling. We need a convincing win to keep momentum going into next year. Next year could be special. Next year…seems to solely rest on our OC hire. We need a guy who can work with Taylen, and the rest of the QBs, to take them to the next level. Part of me wants Keith Bhonapha to take over as OC but that would negate my previous statement. He is a master at RB development but we need a QB savant (and play… Read more »
I thought the defensive play was pretty much lights out. You can’t ask more from a unit that was up against–and mostly shut down–a very good offense with a top QB and RB. In pretty much every category of stats, we won–except for the two that killed us, namely penalties and turnovers. In other words, we beat ourselves more than Fresno beat us. It’s true Taylen had an off game. It happens, especially for a freshman QB in a big match. He has such a high ceiling and he’ll continue to get better with the right OC. (And I say… Read more »