vs georgia..
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Broncos weak at receiver
Athens --- The parallels between Georgia and Boise State extend beyond their preseason top-20 rankings. Like the No. 13 Bulldogs, the No. 18 Broncos have concerns at wide receiver and linebacker.
Boise State's top receiver, junior Drisan James, is out for the Sept. 3 opener at Sanford Stadium because of a one-game disciplinary suspension. Without his 40 catches (for 568 yards), the Broncos are left with a six-receiver rotation that includes only 11 catches for fewer than 150 yards returning from last season.
The Broncos' best bets are senior Josh Smith, whose seven receptions were second to James' among returning players; Cole Clasen, a transfer from Oregon State who had 46 catches in two seasons with the Beavers; and Legedu Naanee, a converted quarterback who came on late last season with four catches for 45 yards and was the star of fall camp.
"Those guys, they're having growing pains, and that's to be expected," Boise State offensive coordinator Chris Petersen said Friday. "As much as we tried to get them in there in the summer and get them prepared, there's just nothing like being in a game. You just can't simulate that situation."
Injuries and suspensions also have affected the Broncos. Starting strongside linebacker Colt Brooks is suspended, and his backup, Ben Chuckovich, hasn't practiced since the first week of camp because of a groin injury. Penciled-in starter Mike Altieri, a sophomore, figures he was on the field for a total of 10 plays last year, and backup Kyle Gingg is a redshirt freshman.
"They've never had any game experience, but on the other hand they go out and practice against maybe one of the top five offenses in the nation every day," Korey Hall, a first-team All-WAC pick at inside linebacker, told the Idaho Statesman newspaper. Meanwhile, senior Chris Barrios, slated to start at weakside linebacker, has never started a game.
Freshmen excel, move up depth chart
Georgia coach Mark Richt said freshman C.J. Byrd "has worked himself into a position to play" against Boise State at rover and freshman Marcus Washington is a solid No. 2 at middle linebacker. "[Washington] plays low; he hits hard, he runs hard. He still makes some mistakes, which is not good, but he's getting better," Richt said. Freshman Jeff Owens is expected to back up Ray Gant at defensive tackle.
Bryant rallies after separated shoulder
Richt said split end A.J. Bryant has "really come back well" from a separated shoulder and has played his way into the third spot at wide receiver. Sean Bailey and Bryan McClendon are the starters, but Bryant would be on the field in a three-receiver set. Richt said sophomore T.J. Gartrell rounds out the top four. . . . Tailback Thomas Brown sprained his right wrist in Thursday's scrimmage but practiced Friday with it wrapped. . . . Offensive guard Josh Brock reportedly has made progress recovering from a concussion but is not ready to return.
Golston rewarded for heavy lifting
Senior Kedric Golston was awarded the 2005 Leon Farmer Strength and Conditioning Award, an honor that goes to the player who was most impressive during preseason training. Past winners include David Pollack (2004), Ben Watson (2003), Will Witherspoon (2001) and Richard Seymour (2000).
Tailback Thomas Brown was named top-conditioned player after establishing a Georgia record in the Power Index. PI adds a player's totals in the bench press, squat and power-clean lifts and divides by the player's weight. Brown's index of 7.01 is the first time a Georgia player has topped the 7.0 mark.
Other standouts included guard Max Jean-Gilles (best bench press, 530 pounds), defensive tackle Gerald Anderson (best squat, 670), fullback Brannan Southerland (best power clean, 356 pounds) and Bryant (best vertical leap, 41.5 inches).
=====
Broncos weak at receiver
Athens --- The parallels between Georgia and Boise State extend beyond their preseason top-20 rankings. Like the No. 13 Bulldogs, the No. 18 Broncos have concerns at wide receiver and linebacker.
Boise State's top receiver, junior Drisan James, is out for the Sept. 3 opener at Sanford Stadium because of a one-game disciplinary suspension. Without his 40 catches (for 568 yards), the Broncos are left with a six-receiver rotation that includes only 11 catches for fewer than 150 yards returning from last season.
The Broncos' best bets are senior Josh Smith, whose seven receptions were second to James' among returning players; Cole Clasen, a transfer from Oregon State who had 46 catches in two seasons with the Beavers; and Legedu Naanee, a converted quarterback who came on late last season with four catches for 45 yards and was the star of fall camp.
"Those guys, they're having growing pains, and that's to be expected," Boise State offensive coordinator Chris Petersen said Friday. "As much as we tried to get them in there in the summer and get them prepared, there's just nothing like being in a game. You just can't simulate that situation."
Injuries and suspensions also have affected the Broncos. Starting strongside linebacker Colt Brooks is suspended, and his backup, Ben Chuckovich, hasn't practiced since the first week of camp because of a groin injury. Penciled-in starter Mike Altieri, a sophomore, figures he was on the field for a total of 10 plays last year, and backup Kyle Gingg is a redshirt freshman.
"They've never had any game experience, but on the other hand they go out and practice against maybe one of the top five offenses in the nation every day," Korey Hall, a first-team All-WAC pick at inside linebacker, told the Idaho Statesman newspaper. Meanwhile, senior Chris Barrios, slated to start at weakside linebacker, has never started a game.
Freshmen excel, move up depth chart
Georgia coach Mark Richt said freshman C.J. Byrd "has worked himself into a position to play" against Boise State at rover and freshman Marcus Washington is a solid No. 2 at middle linebacker. "[Washington] plays low; he hits hard, he runs hard. He still makes some mistakes, which is not good, but he's getting better," Richt said. Freshman Jeff Owens is expected to back up Ray Gant at defensive tackle.
Bryant rallies after separated shoulder
Richt said split end A.J. Bryant has "really come back well" from a separated shoulder and has played his way into the third spot at wide receiver. Sean Bailey and Bryan McClendon are the starters, but Bryant would be on the field in a three-receiver set. Richt said sophomore T.J. Gartrell rounds out the top four. . . . Tailback Thomas Brown sprained his right wrist in Thursday's scrimmage but practiced Friday with it wrapped. . . . Offensive guard Josh Brock reportedly has made progress recovering from a concussion but is not ready to return.
Golston rewarded for heavy lifting
Senior Kedric Golston was awarded the 2005 Leon Farmer Strength and Conditioning Award, an honor that goes to the player who was most impressive during preseason training. Past winners include David Pollack (2004), Ben Watson (2003), Will Witherspoon (2001) and Richard Seymour (2000).
Tailback Thomas Brown was named top-conditioned player after establishing a Georgia record in the Power Index. PI adds a player's totals in the bench press, squat and power-clean lifts and divides by the player's weight. Brown's index of 7.01 is the first time a Georgia player has topped the 7.0 mark.
Other standouts included guard Max Jean-Gilles (best bench press, 530 pounds), defensive tackle Gerald Anderson (best squat, 670), fullback Brannan Southerland (best power clean, 356 pounds) and Bryant (best vertical leap, 41.5 inches).
