Run First: It Works

Yesterday, I posted an X thread because:

1. My brain is constantly in a Boise State of Mind, so I just happened to think of it.
2. I was bored.
3. Maddux Madsen is getting a lot of crap right now for not putting up the kinds of gaudy QB statistics that we’ve been spoiled to expect as Boise State fans and I wanted to highlight why that’s not the end of the world.

So, in order to expose our non-Twitter audience to this thread, I’m publishing it as a post on our page. So, if you are unfamiliar with the format of Twitter, click on the post below and read through the five tweets where I make the case that the way the offense is going right now is just fine. And then join me below for some additional thoughts!

So, obviously, no one is going to (yet– and barring a miracle) confuse Maddux Madsen’s 2024 season with Kellen Moore’s 39:3 TD-to-INT sophomore campaign in 2009, where he went 14-0 and won a Fiesta Bowl. That season still had a good running game, but it wasn’t the Doug Martin that we would see in 2010 and 2011. Jeremy Avery was actually the running back that made it to a thousand yards that year because Doug Martin started the year as a “spy” backer on defense. So, that season was driven by a SUPERB aerial attack, complemented by a solid run game.  We are just doing an inversion of that this year + some stellar tight end play. The same as in that hallowed year of 2006. And it’s working just fine, so far!

When was the last time Boise State was averaging almost 50 points a game and validating the use of terms like “Murder Smurfs”?

There are some people that point out that, at a certain point, defenses will just aggressively stack the box to try to limit Jeanty. Those same people point out that Maddux hasn’t hit some receivers that were open in the past.  Fair. I would contend that some of those receivers have sometimes had a problem with failing to catch balls that hit them in the hands, but fine. Still fair. Regardless, I don’t view that as a huge problem either. The more aggressive defenses get at bringing defenders down to try and stop Jeanty, the more open receivers Maddux will have to pick from. At that point, even a high school quarterback is going to have openings they could easily connect on. Keep in mind that this first quarter of the season is as much about setting up defenses to do just that as it is the sensational streak that Ashton is on.

There’s also another thing to consider: College teams have evolved in the last few years to run spread offenses that emphasize speed and pace. In order to counter that, many teams have adapted by having faster defensive players on the field. That speed, however, often comes at the expense of size. So, even if they bring more defenders into the box to try and meet him sooner…

…how much good is that really doing them? 😂

Let’s check the tape on what happens when an Ashton Jeanty in motion is met by quintessentially movable objects:

“Like BBs off a tank”, in the words of one recent broadcaster.

So, take heart Bronco Nation. Our offensive coordinator knows what he’s doing. He wasn’t an NFL head coach and highly successful offensive coordinator in the league for no reason. And, arguably, he’s currently got the most asymmetric talent mismatch he’s ever had at his disposal. Maddux will continue to develop and opportunities will continue to open up down the field by defenses doing their darndest to try (and likely fail) to contain Jeanty. Once a few more of those connect, then priorities might shift to try and cover the pass more, which means…just a giant oscillating suckfest for opposing defenses, trying to decide if they’d rather get kicked in the face or betwixt the femurs. It’s ALL going to suck for them. And be awesome for us!

And, heaven forbid, something does happen to Maddux or he inexplicably becomes a turnover machine, there is one heck of an insurance policy in place. That said, I have confidence in his work ethic and his talent that he will increase the number of highlights he creates for the offense as the season goes on.

In the meantime, we are getting to witness something truly special. So, hop on and enjoy the ride. There’s plenty of HORSEpower! 🐴💪

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Go Broncos!