Boise State?s defensive backs have heard the criticism, the whispers, the cracks that the unit simply isn?t as good as it was last year. That the loss of first-round NFL Draft pick Kyle Wilson was a big one. That, along with special teams, the secondary has been the biggest weakness on the otherwise weakness-free second-ranked Broncos.
With Hawaii bringing the nation?s top-ranked passing offense to Bronco Stadium, the defensive backs get their chance to silence all of that chatter, to establish their bonafides, to prove that they are not a weakness.
?If people want to rank the secondary, wait ?til after this game because this right here is actually our test,? safety George Iloka said.
The defensive backs will tell you that they haven?t played that poorly ? and the stats back them up. The Broncos are eighth nationally in passing defense, allowing just 161 yards per game.
They have allowed more than 200 yards passing as many times as they?ve held foes to fewer than 100 yards passing. Twice. Louisiana Tech and Toledo each passed for 222 yards versus the Broncos, who, after all, won those games by a combined 106-34.
That?s what the numbers say. The feeling is much different. The unit hasn?t felt dominant. Far from it.
Virginia Tech completed 15 of its first 18 passes against the Broncos. Toledo?s Eric Page had 11 catches for 120 yards. Boise State defensive backs have two interceptions all season, three if you include nickel Hunter White. The big plays have been missing.
Now here comes Hawaii, riding a six-game winning streak and equipped with an offense that reminds many of the 2007 Colt Brennan-Davone Bess-powered attack. Wide receiver Greg Salas leads the nation in yards (1,236) and receptions (81). Quarterback Bryant Moniz has thrown for 3,247 yards and 25 TDs.
?I?m calling us out this week,? safety Jeron Johnson said. ?We?re putting it on our shoulders.?
The defensive backs know what?s coming. They know that all eyes at sold-out Bronco Stadium will be on them. Stop the Warriors and shut up the critics. Surrender a bunch of yards and points, even in victory, and the whispers will become full-blown worry about the defensive backs.
It?s on their shoulders alright.
Exactly where they want it.
With Hawaii bringing the nation?s top-ranked passing offense to Bronco Stadium, the defensive backs get their chance to silence all of that chatter, to establish their bonafides, to prove that they are not a weakness.
?If people want to rank the secondary, wait ?til after this game because this right here is actually our test,? safety George Iloka said.
The defensive backs will tell you that they haven?t played that poorly ? and the stats back them up. The Broncos are eighth nationally in passing defense, allowing just 161 yards per game.
They have allowed more than 200 yards passing as many times as they?ve held foes to fewer than 100 yards passing. Twice. Louisiana Tech and Toledo each passed for 222 yards versus the Broncos, who, after all, won those games by a combined 106-34.
That?s what the numbers say. The feeling is much different. The unit hasn?t felt dominant. Far from it.
Virginia Tech completed 15 of its first 18 passes against the Broncos. Toledo?s Eric Page had 11 catches for 120 yards. Boise State defensive backs have two interceptions all season, three if you include nickel Hunter White. The big plays have been missing.
Now here comes Hawaii, riding a six-game winning streak and equipped with an offense that reminds many of the 2007 Colt Brennan-Davone Bess-powered attack. Wide receiver Greg Salas leads the nation in yards (1,236) and receptions (81). Quarterback Bryant Moniz has thrown for 3,247 yards and 25 TDs.
?I?m calling us out this week,? safety Jeron Johnson said. ?We?re putting it on our shoulders.?
The defensive backs know what?s coming. They know that all eyes at sold-out Bronco Stadium will be on them. Stop the Warriors and shut up the critics. Surrender a bunch of yards and points, even in victory, and the whispers will become full-blown worry about the defensive backs.
It?s on their shoulders alright.
Exactly where they want it.
