I must first apologies for my tardiness in writing this I have been quit ill since the game and I’m still recovering and no I haven’t had a drink in weeks so that’s not it.
While watching the game in such a small venue offered a totally different view point of the team. Never before have I personally seen the Bronco’s play in a stadium smaller then 70,000, TV has a way of making all stadiums look large so I found the boys from Boise looking like they were wearing a suit 2 times to small. Word to the folks in Boise get that stadium expanded a.s.a.p.!
Early in the game I had the sense that Boise was playing down to the level of play of their opponent, and as well as the game progressed it did seem there was a couple of spots this feeling crept back in. Later after watching the game a couple of times I came to a different conclusion, although the Rockets were over match at just about every position on the field they did have some quality players and coaching. Why the strategy of lining up to stop the run and forcing Kellen to beat you was almost beyond me, until you think about it.
You’ll never be able to stop both of Boise State powerful run and passing game and you could not possible try to guess which to focus on at any one play because Kellen would just audible out of it, so they had to fully commit to stopping one attack. Looking deeper and considering risk to opportunity I can see why both UGA and the Rockets took this approach, statically in the NCAA you have a better opportunity to stop drives when shutting down the run, arrant passes, incompletions and int’s are much more likely than Doug Martin fumbling or stumbling. But Kellen Moore isn’t your average NCAA QB, he’s the anomaly, he’s the oil in the ointment and he proved it Friday night by going 32 of 42 for 455 yards and 5 TD’s. Early on the Rockets coaching staff must of thought their game plan was the right one and stuck to it as the game progressed, they knew Boise Loves to run the ball and prides themselves on being physical, but Chris Petersen isn’t Chip Kelly, he not going to try to prove any points he’s all about winning and winning is about taking what the other team is giving you and if Toledo was going to give Boise the passing game he was just fine in taking it.
See the game in person affords some looks you just can’t get from watching it on TV, and one look I couldn’t help but notice as the game progressed was the displeasure the defensive coaches were taking in the D line, now I don’t know what was being said and I certainly ain’t going to point out any players it appeared they were ripping into for all I know it was all motivational, but reading some comments by some of the D players after the game it would appear they were not happy with their play. At first I might have agreed with that assessment but again upon further review I can’t. The fact is Toledo had some offensive weapons and they take a quote from General Longstreet were”well entrenched and intent to fight.” . After their close call with OSU in the horse shoe they believed they could take Boise State out, considering the teams track history of beating top 25 teams in the glass bowl who was going to tell them otherwise? In the end however Boise was just way too much for the Rockets to handle over match, Boise had more team speed more team strength and better coaching and that’s why for the first time in 5 match up’s with top 25 team in the glass bowl Toledo came out the loser.
Couple observation on the differences on watching the game in person vs on TV, on the deep pass to Mr. Miller on the Toledo sideline in person one could see Kellen throw that ball long before Matt turn to look , and I mean long before while on TV from the angles you couldn’t see that. On the diving catch to Potter Kellens interaction with Todedo’s Jr Linebacker Robert Bell who while coming in on a blitz early in the 4th gets to Kellen just after he releases the ball, the two stand side by side as they watch the ball sail through the air, once caught by Potter Bell drops his head and shakes it while Kellen puts his arms around him as if to comfort him patting him on the back while giving the world a big smile.. I will forever hold that image in my mind of just what makes Kellen, Kellen. This can be seen in the above video at the 8:51 mark.
It should also be noted that Mr. Miller was in the endzone but like Shoe said with out bad calls he wouldn’t of had his 3 TD game so all is good.
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