This was a really weird year. A bunch of hope, optimism, and hubris (at least by yours truly) but how could we not feel confident? After last year’s 10-win campaign, the fanbase had really high expectations coming in.
And things got weird. Dropping an opener versus eventual PAC2 Washington (who is playoff bound) isn’t anything to be ashamed of. Wish it was closer, but whaddayagonnado. The string of closish losses (UFC), inexplicable losses (CSU), and just plain frustrating losses (California State University, Fresno) really mounted up.
Eric McAlister deciding to part ways and some of the gossip/rumors about the locker room started mounting, ending with Coach Andy Avalos being relieved of duties. Being this close to a non-winning season and almost missing the championship game? Hooo boyyyy. Lots of folks were down bad, myself included.
But behind the majestic running game of Ashton Jeanty (21 carries, 153 yards, and only one touchdown) and Taylen Green (8 carries, 90 yards, two touchdowns) the Broncos reasserted that the trophy runs through Boise regardless of where the game is actually played.
Billy Bowens had himself a breakout game with four catches and 90 yards. Austin Bolt had two catches for 72 yards and a touchdown.
The Broncos did commit two turnovers, a pick-six from Taylen Green and a fumble by Ashton Jeanty. But the Broncos defense played their part by also getting the ball back three times, being able to capitalize on two of them with 10 points.
Speaking of the Broncos defense, the defense only allowed one Rebel offensive touchdown. If it weren’t for the aforementioned pick-six UNLV would have only scored 13 points.
Not to be overstated, Interim HeadCoach Spencer Danielson is the second interim HC to take their team to the ‘ship and first ever to actually win it. Seems like a big deal.
With all that said, the bowl tie-in to the LA Bowl is secured with the trophy in-hand.
The next bit of news comes with the public finding out who the new head coach is.
Go Broncos!
I’m giving the okay, go ahead and hire Danielson. You have my blessing.
Great finish to a tumultuous start. Can’t wait for the Bowl Game.
Go Broncos!
Great job Boise! Happy to see them turn this season into a special one.
Danielson did an AMAZING job pulling the team together. Taylen played a FANTASTIC all-around job. Jeanty, et al seem locked in. I think Danielson has to receive strong consideration for head coach. Unless it is Kellen or a real “splash” hire, we’ve seen a bit of what the future can be. 😀
I’m gonna guess that since this is the best UNLV team.since 1984( Randall Cunningham) the MWC will put them into the LA bowl regardless. The MWC doesn’t have a pecking order. Therefore I’m guessing Hawaii Bowl against the AAC or ESPN will try to wheel and deal. Miami Ohio beat Toledo so the rockets are out of ny6 contention. Liberty us undefeated but will get hosed which is a shame. They’ll land up in the new Orleans bowl against Troy probably. Big boost to the new Orleans bowl one could say? The Sun belt is actually a strong conference. What… Read more »
The MWC champion is automatically in the LA Bowl, aren’t they? At any rate, Boise State still has a WAY STRONGER brand than Vegas. TV folks are gonna want the boys vs a P5 for ratings.
No . The mwc doesnt have an automatic pecking order
It’s up to the LA Bowl as to whom they choose.
My HC theory is Petersen was there to evaluate and give advice about Spencer to Dickey.
Spencer will be the next HC of BSU.
On a side note; Tim Plough was hired as the UC Davis HC.
Just wondering, does the timing of Hawkins quitting UC mean he’s coming to Boise? After all, Ghandi didn’t take a knee.
I’d like to know what Odom said to Danielson after the game. He was in his ear for a long time. Likely a lot of respect was expressed,
And I’m sure Danielson told him the Rebels have nothing to be ashamed about since they’re the best universities team in 40 yrs. The Rebels deserve a good opponent in a bowl game. Not some 6-6 Mac team
FYI. From Hawaii bowl website. Coastal Carolina vs San Jose state. The sun belt and the aac must have swung a deal. Btw. Odds are SMU will get the ny6 bowl over UNDEFEATED Liberty which is a a shame in my opinion.
Well, SMU gets to go to warm, balmy Boston in December for a date with Boston College at Fenway Park.
Yaay?
I posted a correction on the game thread. The la bowl gets the first pick from the MWC and the 6th pick from the pac12 behind 5 other bowls. Not the 6th place pac12 team. We’ll see if they chose unlv over boise tomorrow. Not likely but possible. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
Apparently leaked by Ticketmaster. New Orleans bowl La Lafayette vs Jacksonville State. If that’s accurate it can only mean they’re trying to match up Liberty and Troy somewhere else.
Well I will just express this unpopular opinion now. Danielson has not earned the head coach spot. He has been a D coordinator for all of 2 seasons and we weren’t exactly setting the world on fire in that department. He deserves all the credit in the world for finishing out the season on a 3-0 run, but a regular season is more than 3 games and includes recruitment, spring ball, talent assessment, game planning, etc… A good head coach can swing a game with real-time decisions, but games are won in the offseason and before kickoff with preparation and… Read more »
Thanks for getting my feet back on the ground. You cover so many good points. My exuberance overcame me on my first post about hiring Danielson. Your comment is more reasonable and thought out than mine above. It was reported Dickey hugged Danielson after the game and said he loved him. I don’t think you have to say that if he’s your next HC. For sure, Danielson and his emotions have been a big part of this late-season surge. You can’t pump life into a dead horse. In other words, the horse (Broncos) has plenty of life left in it.… Read more »
I wouldn’t be angry about Danielson if they go that route. I just don’t think it’s the sure fire hire that some do. We are definitely rolling the dice. I still think bringing in Peterson or Hawkins with the intent of mentoring him for a few seasons would be ideal. I realize that’s fantasy. But I’m a sports fan. Lol
I think that all of the things you mentioned above; recruiting, spring ball, talent assessment etc are all things that can be learned with time. I think from what I have seen of Danielson he is a natural leader of men who seems to be in it for all the right reasons. As per the defensive struggles over the last couple of seasons under his tutelage, while I can’t completely write off his role in that, I also wonder how much of that we can lay squarely at Avalos’ feet. I see the 2 QB situation as a perfect representation… Read more »
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