They Did It Again

Last night in Glendale, Az Boise answered the question, can they do it again by defeating TCU 17 - 10.
It was a hard fought highly contested game by both squads. Both teams played defensive football that would be the envy of most teams.

Boise State went into the game with a quarterback who had the highest passing and touchdowns to INTs efficiency rating in the country. As a team they were the nations leading scoring team averaging over 44 points a game.

TCU has a quarterback that is both a running and throwing threat, with over 500 yards rushing he kept defenses honest. As an offense they were one the more prolific scoring teams in college football averaging over 40 points a game.

When the teams first met in 2003 at the then Dallas - Fort Worth Bowl it was an offensive shoot out with Boise edging TCU on one of the last plays of game. Boise 34 TCU 31.

Given the potent offenses each team took into Glendale, it was reasonable to expect some form of shootout despite the fact TCU was favored by 7.5 points.

Defensively TCU was ranked 4th in the country allowing only 12.5 points per game. Boise was ranked 22nd in the country and not taken as seriously, in spite of holding Oregon to 14 yards on 13 tries in the first half of their Sept. 3rd meeting and keeping Oregon from getting a first down till midway through the 3rd quarter. Nor were they given credit for stuffing the countries #1 rushing attack, the Nevada Wolf Pack who had three 1,000 yard rushers in their backfield. In that game only two of the the three rushers were suited up and QB Crazy Legs Kaepernick was one of the rushers held to 38 yards.

Last nights contest was anything but a shootout, it was an epoch defensive struggle both teams meeting the toughest defense they saw in the 2009 season. Neither team could establish a running game. So the passing game was all that was left.

TCU came into the game rushing for over 250 yards per game on the legs of their Quarterback and stallion running backs, each with over 50 yards this season. They were anchored by a very big and tough offensive line.

However at the Fiesta Bowl the Horned Frogs were held to just 36 yards rushing, Boise State did not fare much better but they were up from their 28 yards rushing in the Poinsettia Bowl in 2008. This time they were able to gain 77 yards on the Frogs on the ground.

Two things really influenced the out come of the game. First was crowd noise. TCU's coaches and Quarterback all agreed the BSU contingent was so loud they could not hear signals. They were forced into the silent snap that caused at least two penalties for false start.

The other determining factor was the Boise State defense the Frogs expected to see was not there. Defensive coordinator had said prior to the game he installed some tweaks that might catch TCU off guard. What he did after watching TCU game film for two days was install an entirely new defense, saying TCU was just too good.

TCU said after the game, Boise State threw a defense at them they had never seen. They used a 3-2-6 attack. Weakening the the Frog passsing attack Boise moved All-American Corner back Kyle Wilson over to safety. TCU had tipped their hand saying the planned to attack Wilson.

This left them going against Brandon T. He got a pick 6 in the first quarter another pic in the 4th quarter and a tip that was picked by Winston Venable to end the game.

Boise State is known for their trick plays and this game was no different. The game was tied midway through the 4th quarter and the Broncos were faced with a 4th and 9 from their own 33.

They used a play they called the "riddler." Tight end Efaw hit and released his rusher and broke into wide open middle of the field. Punter Kyle Brotzman took the snap and hit Efaw over the middle for a 29 yard game, setting up BSU's only sustained drive that ended in a touchdown.

Boise State did it again, winning another BCS Fiesta Bowl, this time against a higher ranked and very tough mid-major team, the TCU Horned Frogs.

It was a great game by two tough teams with excellent coaching staffs. College football fans would be rewarded if these two teams could find a way to get some home and home games instead of meeting in Bowl Games.

However given the quality of football these teams play and the way the dominate their opponents, who knows, they are both in position to make another run at the BCS and possibly meet again in 2011 in a Fiesta Bowl, the one for the national title.

Can They Do It Again?

Tomorrow night Boise State will make its first BCS Bowl appearance since the 2006 Fiesta Bowl played on January 1, 2007. Then the Broncos faced the heavily favored Oklahoma Sooners in what was called David vs Goliath. That game has become as a classic, with 5 touchdowns and 2 two pint conversions in 5 minutes, many consider it one of the best college game finishes of all time.

Boise State ran the now famous Statue of Liberty Left in overtime to win in overtime 43-42.

This years Fiesta Bowl is different, it does not have the David Vs Goliath theme. This Years Fiesta Bowl offers another theme, the battle of the undefeateds.

This game pits undefeated the Boise State Broncos against the undefeated TCU Horned Frogs, arguably one of the best teams in college football. Many have made the argument that TCU not the Texas Longhorns belong in the National Title game to be played Thursday in Pasadena.

Monday's Fiesta Bowl creates BCS Bowl history, this is the first time that two undefeated teams will meet in a BCS game that is not for the National Title.

The History of the Schools


This is third bowl game pairing of the Frogs and the Broncos. Each school has one win.

Boise and TCU first met in 2003 in the inauguration of the Dallas-Fort worth Bowl. Boise won in a game that went down to the wire, escaping 34 to 31.

Last year the teams met in San Diego, Ca. playing in the Poinsettia Bowl, another down to the wire game with TCU getting a 17 - 16 win.

Why watch this Game?

As I mentioned earlier, it is the first time in BCS history that two teams that are undefeated and do not play for the mythical National Championship.

The winner of this game will go into the 2010 season highly ranked and able to make a run for the national title game.

What each Team brings to the Table

TCU Horned Frogs

Anchored by Senior Jerry Hughes the TCU defense is one of the toughest and stingiest in the nation. TCU allows a mere 12.4 points per game.

Hughes is a beast of a player, a one man sack attack, who should be playing on Sunday next year was the source of many nightmares for Mountain West Conference quarterbacks and offensive co-ordinaters will challenge the Bronco Offensive Line. A line that has only allowed 5 sacks in 13 games.

At the linebacker position is Senior Daryl Washington a second team All American who leads the Frogs with 99 tackles, 7.5 were for losses.

As if that was not enough Sophomore Tank Carder is a first year starter at the linebacker position and is second to Hughes with tackles. Carder checks in with 81 tackles, and leads Hughes with 10 for a loss.

Missing from the TCU line up will be 4 year starter at cornerback, Rafael Priest, one of the best in college football. Replacing him is Sophomore Greg McCoy. McCoy is considered the fastest man on the team and has seen plenty of playing time this year. He also has a kickoff return touchdown against Wyoming.

On the offensive side of the ball, TCU's anchor is Junior quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton may be one of the most improved quarterbacks in the country. Last season he had an efficiency rating of 129.9 and was ranked 50th.

This year he is rating improved to 159.59 and is ranked 4th in the country for passing efficiency. This year Dalton has completed 174 passes out of 279 attempts connecting for 22 TDs with only 5 INTs. His threat doesn't stop with his arm. Andy is also the 4th leading rusher on the team with 522 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns.

Dalton is backed up by his favorite receiver 5'10 Junior Jeremy Kerley, who has 467 yards on 38 receptions. Kerley is an exceptional special teams threat. He one of only two players in the nation to be ranked in the top 20 kickoff returns and in the top 12 in punt returns. Number 85 averages 26.9 yards per kickoff return and 14.3 yards per punt return.

Boise State Broncos

Boise State's defense is anchored by Senior Cornerback and team captain Kyle Wilson. Wilson is a quarterbacks worst nightmare. Seldom do they throw in his direction and when they do Wilson makes them pay. This season Kyle only has three picks but he ran two of them back for a pick 6.

He is equally dangerous as a punt returner averaging 10.4 yards per return. Wilson is known as a kid that wont back down and is an established team leader and will be the only Bronco on the field who played in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.

Securing the line backer corp is Junior Derrell Acrey the kid is a stallion with 15 solo tackles and 17 assists. He has two picks this season averaging 2.5 yards per INT.

Junior Jeron Johnson is a game changing saftey. He is known for his hard hitting and tight coverages which explains his 4 INTs this season.

The offensive spark plug for the Broncos is Sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore. He is known as the Ice Man, nothing rattles this kid. As a redshirt freshman in his third game ever as a college quarterback he did what few veteran QBs have done. He led his Broncos into Auzten Stadium and beat the Oregon Ducks.

This season finds Moore as the #1 passing efficiency quarterback with a QB rating of 167.35.
This year Moore has hit 254 passes on 392 attempts with 39 TDs and only 3 picks and 5 sacks.

Sophomore running back Doug Martin started the season on the defensive side of the ball but is such a talented athlete he was moved over to running back in relief of injured T.J Harper.

Coming into the Fiesta Bowl, Martin has 723 yards on 113 carries averaging 6.4 yards per carry, resulting in 14 touchdowns. Martin is fast and powerful giving the Broncos a much needed inside running game and is a talented receiver.

Junior running back Jeremy Avery is the outside runner that given any space turns it into big yards.

This season he has 1130 yards on 197 carries averaging 5.7 yards per carry and 6 touchdowns. As a receiver he brings to the table 22 catches with 244 yards averaging 11.1 yards per catch ending in 1 touchdown.

Missing from the BSU line up will be star receiver Junior Austin Pettis. He broke his ankle November 27 at the beginning of game #12 against the Nevada Wolf Pack.

He will be used in special Red Zone situations. His season stats are awesome, 62 receptions for 850 yards averaging 13.7 yards per catch and 14 of Kellen Moore's 39 touchdowns.

Why should you watch the game, every time these teams match up, they play good hard exciting football. They match up well and in the previous two meetings the game was not decided till the very end.

TCU is favored by 7.5 points, they have the best defense in the country and a relentless running attack.

Boise is the underdog but like TCU they have alot of heart. Can they do it again, tune into Fox Monday Night at 8:20 pm eastern time on Fox and see for yourself.

Being a true Bronco Homer for 41 years, yeah I think they will do it again. Go Broncos

Who is the Best College Quarterback for 2009?

Is it former Heisman Trophy Winner and National Champion Tim Tebow, could it Big 12 Champion Quarterback and Heisman candidate Colt McCoy or does Pac 10 Champion and human bowling ball Jeremiah Massoli earn the honor?

All three have had stellar careers and should be playing on Sunday but is it possible an unknown could have surpassed them?

Lets look at the unknown, Boise States Kellen Moore and see how he measures up. First we will use a recent Idaho Statesman interview to examine his skills as he breaks down 5 plays and finish up looking at his 2009 stats

The following interview is from the Idaho Statesman Newspaper dated 12-27-2009

What Kellen sees

We wanted to know how Boise State sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore makes such quick, proper decisions - so we went into the film room with him. He broke down five plays for us. Here's what we learned:

TOMMY WHO?

The situation: First-and-goal at the Tulsa 8-yard line, first quarter.
The routes: A wide receiver and tight end on each side of the formation run 5-yard in routes (wide receivers) and flag routes to the back corner of the end zone (tight ends).
The expectation: All week, the Broncos planned to throw to the field (wide) side - the left side of the formation.

The routes: A wide receiver and tight end on each side of the formation run 5-yard in routes (wide receivers) and flag routes to the back corner of the end zone (tight ends).
The expectation: All week, the Broncos planned to throw to the field (wide) side - the left side of the formation.

At the snap: The outside linebacker on the field side doesn't blitz. Instead, he drops into coverage and takes away the in to Austin Pettis. That allows the cornerback to sag and take away the flag to Kyle Efaw. Moore eliminates those two options in about a second.

The decision: Moore turns to his right, thinking about the other 5-yard in. But for the first time all week he thinks of something else - his roommate, tight end Tommy Gallarda, on the flag route. That was never a consideration in practice.

"At that point, it's kind of a feel thing," Moore said.
Moore throws high and outside and Gallarda makes a nifty catch.

Result: Touchdown.

TIME TO TAKE A SHOT

The situation: Second-and-15 at the New Mexico State 47, first quarter.
The routes: A wide receiver on each side runs a 10-yard out. A slot receiver and tight end are available over the middle if the Aggies play zone.

The expectation: The Broncos hope to hit a 10-yard out and get into a manageable third-down situation. However, Moore reads man-to-man coverage when the Aggies chase the shifting Broncos receivers and spots the cornerbacks lining up nose to nose with the receivers. That's an automatic adjustment - both wideouts convert their routes to go routes down the sideline.
At the snap: Moore already knows he's going to throw to Titus Young, who is locked in a 1-on-1 battle with All-WAC cornerback Davon House. Moore's job is to disguise his intent. He stares at the safety in the middle of the field for three steps and gives him a little pump-fake. That's just enough to freeze the safety and keep him away from Young, which is critical because Moore is throwing to the short side of the field and the safety doesn't have far to go.

The decision: It's an easy one. It doesn't matter that House is matching Young stride for stride. "Sometimes, you've got to take a shot," Moore said.

Result: Touchdown.

PETTIS SOARS FOR SIX

The situation: Third-and-7 at the Louisiana Tech 12. Boise State leads 30-28 in the fourth quarter.

The routes: Austin Pettis, lined up to the left, runs a skinny post. Slot receiver Tyler Shoemaker, who is on Pettis' side, clogs up the middle. Titus Young runs across the formation to the left on a shallow crossing route.

The expectation: Moore and Pettis hooked up on skinny posts for touchdowns repeatedly this season. Leaving the huddle, that's where Moore wants to throw. He checks the cornerback, who could take away the route with inside leverage. Instead, the cornerback is playing off and straight up. "I already know Austin's going to win this matchup," Moore said.

At the snap: The only remaining concern is the safety on Pettis' side. He could plug the throwing lane. Shoemaker's job is to draw that safety away. "You're watching this guy the whole entire time," Moore said. "As soon as he takes this little hip turn to make an attempt toward Shoe, you've got (Pettis) 1-on-1."

The decision: The Bulldogs have opened the door for Pettis. But Moore's decision-making isn't done. At times, he threw this pass low to protect the ball. This time, he's still worried about the safety and goes high. Pettis makes a leaping catch as the ball sails over the head of the safety, who would have at least broken up the pass if Moore hadn't adjusted.

Result: Touchdown.

CHECK THAT - FAST

The situation: Third-and-8 at the Nevada 27, second quarter.

The routes: Two guys run routes to the sideline to Moore's left. A third is available over the middle on that side.

The expectation: If Nevada lined up in its base defense, Moore could hit Titus Young on a 10-yard out or Kirby Moore on a flag route. However, the Wolf Pack show a different look - three deep safeties, designed to take away the big play.

At the snap: Moore already has ruled out three of his five options because of the sagging defense. He has one downfield option left - and that requires the middle safety to move out of position.

The decision: Moore looks at the middle safety - he doesn't budge - and immediately dumps the ball to tailback Doug Martin, the check-down receiver. Martin was the fifth option when the play was called, but Moore has made him the second option. "Sometimes, you just let that guy get the ball in space," Moore said.

The result: A 9-yard gain and first down. Three plays later, Martin caught another check-down pass for 16 yards on third-and-9 to set up a touchdown.

GET RID OF IT

The situation: Third-and-10 at the Boise State 37, third quarter against Idaho.

The routes: A comeback to Moore's right or an in to his left are the best options. Tight end Kyle Efaw runs a crossing route to the left.

The expectation: The comeback is the preferred throw.

At the snap: The Vandals sit in a zone and take away Moore's first two options. The defensive linemen twist and confuse the offensive line, getting two guys free to pressure Moore. Moore looks at Efaw, but a defender is sitting on his inside hip just waiting for the chance to intercept him.

The decision: Moore throws what looks like a bad pass but actually is simply a throwaway - wide of Efaw into the blue turf. "It's third-and-10, you've really got nothing," Moore said. "You can take a chance and try to hit this (receiver over the middle), but if you get hit and the ball flails, then they've got the ball on the 40-yard line."

The result: Incomplete pass and the Broncos punt. Moments later, they get the ball back with excellent field position and score a touchdown.

How do these 5 plays qualify Moore as one of the best quarterbacks for 2009, lets examine his stats.

Moore stands 6 foot tall and weighs in at 187 lbs. was hardly recruited out of high school. He has average speed and is not known for his scrambling abilities, let alone like an ability to run through players and drag tacklers into the end zone like Tebow and Massoli.

Look at his passing stats for 2009.

YEAR 2008.. CMP 281.. ATT 405..YDS 3486.. CMP% 69.4..YPA 8.61..LNG 80.. TD 25. INT 10.. SACK 13..RAT 157.11

Year 2009..CMP 254.. ATT 392.. YDS 3325.. CMP% 64.8.. YPA 8.48.. LNG 67.. TD 39.. INT 5.. SACK 5.. RAT 167.35 These stats are from ESPN

Who is the number #1 quarterback for 2009? When it comes to passing efficiency and touchdowns to interception ratios......Kellen Moore. Moore is a sophomore with a record of 25 - 1 and currently resides as #60 on the winningest college quarterback list.

How does Moore do it? Look back at his interview, he spends alot of time in the film room studying the defenses and he knows his own play book inside out.

Moore makes it a point to know where his receivers are on every play and how to make adjustments to every defense he sees.

Being a quarterback who is a student of his own play book and how to read defenses doesn't mean you will lead your conference in passing efficiency but look at what it did for Kellen Moore.

See how Kellen Moore puts it altogther this Monday January 4, 2010 on Fox at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl against one of the nations toughest defenses, the TCU Horn Frogs.

Check out our quarterback training videos at Quarterbacks see our most popular reading the defense video Quarterback Coverages, Keys, Reads, and Progressions

Football Trick Plays

This season is like any other, fraught with unique and standard trick plays.

So far we have seen the standard and not so standard. We have seen the Bounce Double Pass play and how well it can work. We saw in the high school ranks a quarterback throw a touchdown from behind the back.

Some teams have used the famous Statue of Liberty Left and we saw an on sides kick designed to be recovered by the kicker.

Small Bethel College may have come up with the zaniest trick play of all. Rather than try to describe it to you I will just post the link so you can see it for yourself.

Bethel College Trick Play

Use the following link to see our Football Trick Plays Videos

Visit us at Football Offensive Strategies and see football coaching DVDS about how to make 2-point conversions, two minute drills and more.

Bounce Double Pass Play

Every team has trick plays in their play book and I saw one yesterday that was awesome.

It is called the Bounce Double Pass Play. I am not recommending you coaches install it in your offense but use the link below see the video and decide for your self.

Bounce Double Pass Play

Brandon Spikes Got A Pass - Shame on Coach Meyer

I don't often comment on the misdeeds of college athletes or their coaches. However what Florida Gator Brandon Spikes did and how Urban Meyer handled it is unacceptable.

During the Florida Gator-University of Georgia game Brandon Spikes sought out a Georgia running back and extracted revenge. He with deliberate malice and for thought drove his thumb into the running backs eye. With absolute deliberance Spikes gouged and defenseless players eye.

Urban has issued a swift and joke of punishment for discipline. He he benching Spikes for the first half of the Vanderbilt game. Wow Urban are you maybe over reacting coming down to hard on the kid. I am sure that punishment is one he will never forget.

Many of you might recall how Oregon's Chip Kelly responded to the punch heard around college football. The one after the Boise State - Oregon game when LaGarrete Blount sucker punched Boise States Brian Hout then got into it with the fans and ended his outburst hitting a cop in the locker room.

Blount has not played a down since that incident and is trying hard to work his way back into the line up. Coach Chip Kelly suspended him from action till further notice and has set a plan in motion that Blount must follow to possibly end his senior year playing in the final few games.

Blount must meet every step of the ladder back to redemption from attending class to playing on the practice squad. He is under a no tolerance rule, meaning one screw up, his scholarship and college career are history.

Chip Kelly is taking the steps necessary to send the message, we don't tolerate thuggish behavior. He did not through Blount under the bus, instead he is helping the kid rehabilitate himself and his name, while setting a high standard for the Oregon Ducks.

Blount's action were spur of the moment, not planned out. It is believed that when Hout slapped Blount on the shoulder pads that Hout taunted Blount saying, hows that for a butt whuppin.

Spikes on the other hand was a planned out and deliberate action designed to harm the other kid to extract revenge for something that occurred earlier in the game. Spikes could have blinded his victim of caused permanent eye damage and Urban is giving out a half game benching.

To me it apparent the game is more important than the kid. It is this kind of pass on a kid screwing up that makes them think they are above the rules and helps them get into bigger trouble later in life.

Coach Meyer may know how to coach football but apparently does not know how to teach athletes to be fine men and people that know the consequences of their actions. the only message Meyer sent is, thuggery is ok if you are star athlete. Urban needs to call Chip Kelly and learn all the responsibilities of being a well rounded coach, one that teaches his players how to be men.

UnAmerican Attitude Sweeps the U.S.A

Forget the recession, forget the health care bill a bigger assualt is being launched across America.

This column appears in the Nov. 2 issue of ESPN The Magazine.
Of all the gates -- Watergate, Monicagate, Spygate -- there is only one gate this country can be proud of: the tailgate.

A parking-lot spiral, a cheese brat whispering sweet nitrates and a decent ticket in your pocket. Buddy, that's more American than deficits. So why is America trying to kill tailgating?

Look around: Outside Soldier Field -- home of the Chicago Bears -- fans are getting kicked out of the parking lot once the game starts. Heresy! A lot of Bears fans can't afford tickets ($245 for a nosebleed), but they love pulling into the south lot (for which they pay $46), opening up the camper van, putting one satellite dish on the tailgate and one on the roof and living and dying for their Bears. Tailgaiting is a tradition that's been in place for 90 years, and now it's forbidden? Why don't they just clean our Weber grills with the American flag!

In Arizona, the Cardinals did the same thing. And this coming off a Super Bowl year! These are Cards fans who stuck with a toothless team through a barren 21-year wasteland until it finally made the Super Bowl last season. Now they're getting the bum's rush? Blasphemy! And the Cards have banned postgame tailgating, too. So waiting in lawn chairs by your car with your friends while the traffic clears is now forbidden. Get in line and waste gas like everybody else!
Grab a spatula and rise up!
This crap is going on everywhere. In Dallas, the Cowboys moved tailgaters to the far back outreaches of their lots. What are we, contagious? This kills one of the most fun tailgating traditions of all: mooching. Get an outlying parking spot and wander through tailgaters on the way to your gate. If you're not offered a brew, a burger or a brownie in the first 100 yards, you need to try smiling.

But it's in the state of Michigan that tailgating is dying the fastest. Imagine! The state where the first tailgate came off the assembly line!

What they're doing at Central Michigan should be investigated by Congress. Tailgategate. The geniuses there banned external sound systems. What? Think about our lives. It's just us at the computer. Just us and our CrackBerries. Tailgating is one of the few experiences we have together. We listen to the game together. We sing Queen together. On one set of speakers!

Worse, CMU isn't letting any cars leave the parking lot until the third quarter. Reduces congestion, the school says. Isn't that kidnapping?

Terrified mom: "Please let me go! My baby's climbed out onto the roof of my house!"

Cop: "Sorry, ma'am. Still 1:48 left in the half."

At Western Michigan, tailgating is permitted to begin no earlier than three hours before the game and must end at kickoff. Hell, I know guys who need that much time to set up their radar ranges -- forget moving the Barcalounger out of the truck.

Not only that, but vehicles that take up two parking spots aren't allowed at WMU either. No Winnebagos? No Airstreams? What is this, Sweden?

The bosses will tell you it has to do with curbing alcohol-fueled rowdies inside the stadium. But a guy can sit in a bar 100 yards away and drink enough to drown a Carnival cruise ship, and they don't stop that. If it's drinking you want to stop, have a guy with a Breathalyzer at every gate. If a fan blows more than .08, he doesn't get to enter.

These are families getting screwed here.

If you've ever loved the smell of chili and exhaust together, if you've ever worn a beer helmet, if you've ever made a diving catch onto the hood of a Buick, grab a spatula and rise up! Lock yourself in your Explorer! Grill up liver and send it to the university dean until he relents just from the smell!

Because if you let them take your Winnebagos now, they will take your cornhole game next. If you let them take your sound systems now, they will take your football-field green shag next. If you let them take your tailgate party now, they will take your political party next.

It's already working at CMU. The students were so torqued off at these jackbooted rules that they formed a committee, protested to officials and got the idiotic speakers rule reversed. Solidarity!

I saw the wimps and the lawyers and the insurance companies kill dodgeball and diving boards, but I never thought they'd get tailgating.

Over my cold, dead kielbasa. Link