This was another weird one. And let’s be honest. It was weirder than the Hawaii game. Because, ultimately, Boise State still won that one by three TDs and closed it out by taking knees deep in Hawaii territory. This one ended the same way…but without the three TD cushion. The Broncos ended on top by only five points. UNLV came to play for all four quarters. The Rebels–smartly–keyed on Jeanty. On his first carry, he lost yards. On his next carry…he lost more yards. He didn’t actually have positive yards for Boise State’s first couple offensive possessions. But, that’s all relative. Because he’s still an absolute monster, still crossed the century mark (128 yards), and had a TD.
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyUNLV got up early in this one, 10-3. However, with the Rebels swarming Jeanty, Maddux was able to make some things happen. His first big play was a run for 49 yards on the field goal drive to start the game, but then he completed some nice passes, put a few drives together (including a rushing TD on a keeper), and the Broncos hung 17 unanswered points to get on top 20-10.
In the ensuing drives, Boise State only got one field goal vs UNLV ending two drives with six points. That gave the Rebels a 24-23 advantage as the third quarter ended.
In the fourth quarter, Jeanty kept plodding away and slowly breaking the will of the UNLV defense. It took a toll on him though, too. At one point in the game, he briefly left with what appeared to be a hyperextended elbow. He came back with his left arm heavily decorated with tape and a compression sleeve. But while Maddux and Lauter carried the offense in the early going, Jeanty dragged the team to the finish line. His one yard TD in the 4th quarter ended up being the deciding points.
Jeanty only had a 3.8 yard per carry average in this game, and his longest run was 16 yards. You could tell he was so close to breaking a long one a few different times, and he had some very impressive maneuvers along the way (because, duh…he’s Smashton Jeanty), but it just never quite happened. It was also clearly apparent that he was beat up and exhausted. He was slow to get up several times. But, with UNLV absolutely enveloping Jeanty every play, the rest of the offense did really good things. Matt Lauter had some key catches for 38 yards and a TD. Bolt, Strachan, Camper, and Wagner all had big plays with catches of 28, 37, 19, and 22 yards, respectively. Maddux completed 18 of his 33 pass attempts and a TD. He added 58 yards and another score on the ground, but the line kept him clean the whole game and he, again, committed zero turnovers.
Speaking of turnovers, the defense clearly placed an emphasis on taking the ball away during the bye. They came so close a few times before Andrew Simpson finally stepped in front of a pass and returned it 25 yards to *almost* score. That drive ended with more Bronco points. The team leading the nation in sacks also added another SIX to that total. Surprisingly, not all of them came from the front seven, though, as Teubner bagged one and Oladipo got in on the fun with another 1.5.
Boise State did what they had to do in this one and proved they could be multidimensional on offense while building on their strengths as a defense. Despite giving up a few explosive plays, six sacks and winning the turnover battle is still six sacks and winning the turnover battle. And UNLV’s offense has some incredibly potent pieces in Hajj-Malik Williams and Ricky White. Those two gave the Broncos all they could handle, but still didn’t come away with the most important part: A win. Each team entered this game with only one loss and this might be the last game UNLV (or BSU) loses until the postseason. This is a good W. And, while stressful at times, it ended the way it needed to.
We’ll see you all back at home next week vs the Aztecs. Feel free to discuss in the comments below. In the meantime, and as always…
Well, where to begin? We had to know they would key on Jeanty, so why not pass on first down to keep them honest. His runs came after a couple passes in a row. They had to soften the line in order to watch the pass, and he did his Jeanty things. When they’re stacking 8-9 guys in the box, take advantage! I thought the play calling was pretty vanilla. Floating long passes and rifling a five-yarder? Then, overthrowing a wide open receiver, not even seeing the other one in the opposite end of the end zone, and following that… Read more »
Let’s see; who ran for a TD, passed for a TD, had no INTs and no sacks?
Not a great game, but a good one.
Exactly. It also seems like he starts strong and then struggles toward the end and then ends up having an unimpressive completion percentage. But, overall, good. Not great…but good.
I bleed blue as much as the next guy, but I don’t get the heavy criticism of this team. Honestly, I didn’t expect this kind of turnaround. Danielson has done an amazing job. We are down 3 starters on the offensive line. That was going to bite us at some point, and at least they still kept Madsen on his feet. A lot to be desired in the passing game, and the secondary is a little porous. But they are contesting catches and tackling as so much better. This team knows how to grind out a win which is huge… Read more »
Is next OC possibly already with the team? If so, who?
Don’t confuse observations with criticism. Those are two very different things.
I would agree with your assessment on Koetter. However, the higher percentage plays, such as short slants, are missing. I suspect this has something to do with the height of the QB. We’ve seen more than one pass batted down and open receivers missed.
We’ve allowed six sacks in seven games. That’s a testament to the OL.
I’m leaning toward one Matt Miller being groomed…
Roger that. Was speaking more to Bronco twitter which can be pretty toxic. We have seen what the 5-star kid can do in a game. It wasn’t particularly good. Granted the kid has a cannon attached to his body, but it’s clear he doesn’t have command of the offense. But you are correct, he could probably hit a slant or timing pattern better than “Madsen Maddox” (lol bad commentators). But it’s an easy trade for a QB that can better execute the game plan. Where Dirk really shines though is in our third down conversion numbers and red zone scoring… Read more »
Well stated! I’m not on X or any other social media sites, so I don’t know what is said. Also, I was wondering if anyone else caught the commentator’s faux pax! It only took three or four tries before someone corrected him. When I watched Nelson, I said almost the same as you about him-he is spot on with the quick hitters and slants. But, going through his progressions is where the challenge comes in. A little more unpredictability in our offense would be nice. However, as you stated above, being an OC from the NFL, there is a different… Read more »
It’s not too late for social media. Everyone is very polite & understanding of each other’s views. Especially, during election season.
In the presser, Monday, Koetter, gave a shout-out to Millier. I aways thought Potter had the inside track on the next OC, maybe not.
My assumption for next offensive coordinator is Miller. I could be proven totally wrong, but that is what I suspect.
Miller was OC for a while at Montana State. However, Potter is the Bronco’s co-OC.
This is why no Division 1 team should EVER recruit a QB under 6’2″. Look at the average height of every NFL QB. Maddux is an outstanding human being & great locker room guy & a fairly decent QB. Perhaps, he’ll be a great coach one day, but can Malachi Nelson not figure out the playbook or did he accidentally hit on Koetter’s niece or Danielson’s wife or something!? I feel sad knowing we’ll likely lose him to the portal next year & Jeanty will obviously be playing on Sundays next year. Our O-Line is a group of studs. They… Read more »
There is a list longer than my arm of QBs under 6’2″. One comes to mind Patrick Mahomes–and he’s not the exception. Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murrey and remember Drew what’s his name? Height has its advantages but to make a blanket comment is eliminating talent before looking at it. Remember Oregon didn’t even give Kellen Moore a sniff because he was too small. He beat them twice. For that fact, Coach Pete nearly dismissed Kellen because he wasn’t tall enough. Under 6’2″ Kellen gave Pete the best years of his life and made him a coaching legend. And Dillion Gabriel… Read more »
Patrick Mahomes is 6’2″ & 3/8ths
Baker Mayfield is 6’1″
Kyler Murray will not even be with the Cardinals next year as he has finally reached “Bust” status.
https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/147430-the-quarterback-position-does-size-matter.amp.html
You must have short arms. T-Rex syndrome 😉
On one of Mahome’s college rosters, he was listed as 6’1″. The NFL combines have him at 6’2.13″. I have it on good authority (my imagination for the purpose of this exchange only) that he wore very thick socks at the NFL combines. Again as I stated, height has its advantages, but other factors must be considered; arm length and from where is the throw. It seems to me TG10 had a few balls batted and tipped. That may be because he held on to the ball too long but his throwing motion was low. Some QBs throw with the… Read more »
end up recruiting qb’s under 6/2 because many times they win games more than others
it’s about individual, system fit, availability and attitude
I’d love JUST once to have an NFL QB on our roster. Utah State can have Jordan Love & Wyoming can have Josh Allen. We’ll not speak of “that one guy” from Nevada. Fresno had the Carr brothers. Colorado State has had a couple guys & let’s not forget BYU, TCU & Utah when they were MWC teams & other G5 schools, but we can’t get ONE NFL caliber QB. Yes, yes, Kellen Moore, etc. You know, Malachi just might actually thrive if given the opportunity to get some real experience & p-l-a-y. Then again, he might bomb, but his… Read more »
That’s always been a head-scratcher for me as well. As much as it is kinda cool to see Broncos succeed at the next level; I want their greatest success at BSU. Once Josh Allen is gone, he’s gone, once Jordon Love is gone, he’s gone, once Carr is gone, he’s gone, and once what’s-his-name is gone, you can’t get him far enough gone. I’d rather have the record the Broncos have than what the other guys have. Can you imagine what it’s like to be a Utah, Fresno, Wyoming, or Nevada fan? Nah, I think not. I like to follow… Read more »
CRAP!!! I forgot Nick Patti.
A note on sacks and Bachmeier; In his 3 and 1/4 years with Boise, he was sacked 41 times. In one year with LA Tech and a 1/2 year with Wake Forest, he has 40 sacks. I think bad pass protection follows him, no matter where he goes (sarcasm).
This is an observation, but according to 247 Sports, the Broncos have 20 commits for the 2025 high school graduating class. I don’t recall that many before November 1.
They also have one for 2026.
It was an incredibly gritty win! Lots to be happy about. I do wish that Madsen was about 3-5 inches taller, and that he had a little more touch on screens and finesse throws (2-3 big gains in the screen game were blown up because he either threw the ball like a rocket to his player who was 2-3 yards away, or it got swatted). Still, he is a gutsy player who is taking care of the ball. Just win, baby!
I’m not a Mad Dog apologist, only a fan. Yep, he has some flaws. He has to find a way to get the ball around O-lineman; for certain he’s not going to get it over them. I think he’ll find his way. The screen, whether to a back or receiver, is an ace up the sleeve for the Broncos offense. It needs refinement and exploitation. There’s every indication that Koetter is completely satisfied the best man is starting. I think the players know that also. Mad Dog is the consummate team player. He is aware of his strengths and limitations;… Read more »