1. CREATE TURNOVERS: The best way to stop the Falcons' offense is to take away the football, because chances are Omar Jacobs is going to get a first down in three tries. But the Broncos have not forced a turnover on defense this season.
2. ESTABLISH CONSISTENcy: Through two games, the Broncos have not developed a go-to receiver or a No. 1 tailback. Wideout Jerard Rabb and tailback Ian Johnson, both newcomers, have shown the potential to become the top offensive weapons.
3. NO FUMBLES FOR ZABRANSKY: Quarterback Jared Zabransky's most painful turnovers this season have been his four fumbles. Two turned a manageable game into a blowout at Georgia, and two more stopped the Broncos' momentum at Oregon State.
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When Boise State has the ball
The Broncos haven't looked like the Broncos through two weeks of the regular season. They've committed eight turnovers, they've only hit a few big plays, the running game has been inconsistent and nobody has established himself as a go-to player.
Quarterback Jared Zabransky's start is particularly troubling. He has all of the turnovers, and he passed for just 81 yards in the second half of the loss to Oregon State.
Still, Zabransky's play in 2004 and his first quarter against Oregon State give Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon reason to worry.
"Their quarterback makes that thing go," Brandon said. "He's the guy (when) you turn on the film and you look at who can beat you, he can beat you. He beat a lot of teams last year. We have to mix things up with him, try to hit him."
The Falcons' defense didn't hit much in the first two games of the season. They allowed an average of 274 rushing yards, 479 total yards and 43.5 points.
Look for Boise State to try to exploit the weakness in the run defense. The Broncos have an experienced offensive line and a stable of running backs who have gashed defenses in the past.
The passing game could feature junior wideout Jerard Rabb, who steps into the starting lineup.
When Bowling Green has the ball
The Falcons are not just the Omar Jacobs show.
The star quarterback, who has thrown 51 touchdown passes and just six interceptions in 14 starts, gets plenty of help from his friends.
"He's got a great crew with him," BSU defensive coordinator Ron Collins said.
Jacobs has five receivers to choose from on many of his pass plays. The Falcons run a one-back offense and flood the field with receivers.
Collins said senior receivers Charles Sharon (17 catches, 237 yards, 3 TDs) and Steve Sanders (13 catches, 245 yards, 4 TDs) are "dynamite."
The Falcons average 443 passing yards per game; the Broncos allow 336.5.
Senior tailback P.J. Pope also is a standout. Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon even tells people that Pope, not Jacobs, is the Falcons' best offensive player.
Pope missed most of the first two games because of injury. He has topped 1,000 rushing yards and 1,400 total yards each of the past two years. He scored 21 touchdowns last season ? 15 rushing, six receiving.
"They have a good running back that everyone is overlooking," BSU safety Marty Tadman said. "We'll have to stop the run first."
Special teams
One way for Boise State to keep up with the high-scoring Falcons today is through the Broncos' stellar kickoff-return unit. The Falcons have allowed an 85-yard return this year.
The Broncos average 24.8 yards on kickoff returns, led by Quinton Jones' 31.4-yard average. The unit has been the highlight of the special teams, which otherwise have been below the Broncos' lofty standards.
The punt-return unit has been ineffective, and the punt-cover team has allowed 9.6 yards per return and a blocked punt.
On the positive side, the Broncos have forced three turnovers on special teams. The kickoff coverage has been decent.
Bowling Green has a major question mark at kicker. Joe Timchenko is just 8-of-11 on PATs. The Falcons have not attempted a field goal this year.
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Hall set to return for home opener
The Boise State football team's defense gets a pick-me-up this week with the return of senior safety Cam Hall for Wednesday's home opener against Bowling Green.
Hall missed the first two games because of legal trouble. He is charged with felony fleeing the scene of an injury accident and misdemeanor reckless driving stemming from a May 7 car wreck that killed a family of three.
Hall, who avoided the crash, previously was charged with three counts of vehicular manslaughter for his part in what prosecutors say was a road-rage incident with another driver that led to the crash. He pulled himself off the active roster, but practiced with the team during fall camp.
The vehicular manslaughter charges were dropped two days before the Sept. 3 season opener at Georgia, and Hall asked for reinstatement to the team. BSU held him out of two games before granting his request.
Hall was the projected starter at free safety after spring practices. He led the team with 19 tackles in last year's Liberty Bowl and made two interceptions in the regular-season finale at Nevada to clinch the Broncos' 11-0 regular season.
He has decided not to speak to the media this season, BSU officials say.
"It's going to help a lot having him back, having his leadership," sophomore starting free safety Marty Tadman said. "We all know he's going to go out there and just ball out. He's going to just do awesome. He might be that sparkplug that we need."
Tadman remains the starter at free safety, coach Dan Hawkins said, but Hall will be deeply involved in the defense.
Hall even could start, because Bowling Green's offense will force the Broncos to use as many as six defensive backs in certain situations.
Hall can play free safety, rover, strong-side linebacker or the two additional safety positions the Broncos use in passing situations.
Defensive coordinator Ron Collins said he wants Hall to provide leadership. He's uncertain how much Hall will play because he's not in "game shape."
Teammates, however, expect Hall to make a major impact. Tadman, in fact, says he probably will lose some playing time ? and he's OK with that.
"Cam's a senior," Tadman said. "Cam deserves to play. Cam has more experience. ... He's probably smarter than anyone in our defensive secondary."
And, above all, Hall is a playmaker on defense and special teams. He has fought injuries the past two years, but when healthy he has provided six interceptions, two sacks, three blocked punts and a blocked-punt recovery for a touchdown.
He's the strongest and largest (6-foot-1, 209 pounds) defensive back on the team. The Broncos' starting safeties, Tadman (5-11, 181) and sophomore Austin Smith (5-9, 170), are the smallest set in the Western Athletic Conference.
One season preview labeled Hall the hardest-hitting safety in the WAC.
"He presents a physical presence over the middle," junior cornerback Gerald Alexander said. "Just seeing him out there is going to pump us up. We know how happy he is to be out there. He's been waiting for this moment for a very long time."
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POPE TO PLAY: BG Coach Brandon said last night during his weekly radio show broadcast on 1230 that running back P.J. Pope will play tomorrow night. Pope, a 1,000-yard rusher in each of the past two seasons, missed the Ball State game after spraining his ankles in the Wisconsin game. "P.J.'s ready to go," Brandon said. "I hope he's at full strength."
2. ESTABLISH CONSISTENcy: Through two games, the Broncos have not developed a go-to receiver or a No. 1 tailback. Wideout Jerard Rabb and tailback Ian Johnson, both newcomers, have shown the potential to become the top offensive weapons.
3. NO FUMBLES FOR ZABRANSKY: Quarterback Jared Zabransky's most painful turnovers this season have been his four fumbles. Two turned a manageable game into a blowout at Georgia, and two more stopped the Broncos' momentum at Oregon State.
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When Boise State has the ball
The Broncos haven't looked like the Broncos through two weeks of the regular season. They've committed eight turnovers, they've only hit a few big plays, the running game has been inconsistent and nobody has established himself as a go-to player.
Quarterback Jared Zabransky's start is particularly troubling. He has all of the turnovers, and he passed for just 81 yards in the second half of the loss to Oregon State.
Still, Zabransky's play in 2004 and his first quarter against Oregon State give Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon reason to worry.
"Their quarterback makes that thing go," Brandon said. "He's the guy (when) you turn on the film and you look at who can beat you, he can beat you. He beat a lot of teams last year. We have to mix things up with him, try to hit him."
The Falcons' defense didn't hit much in the first two games of the season. They allowed an average of 274 rushing yards, 479 total yards and 43.5 points.
Look for Boise State to try to exploit the weakness in the run defense. The Broncos have an experienced offensive line and a stable of running backs who have gashed defenses in the past.
The passing game could feature junior wideout Jerard Rabb, who steps into the starting lineup.
When Bowling Green has the ball
The Falcons are not just the Omar Jacobs show.
The star quarterback, who has thrown 51 touchdown passes and just six interceptions in 14 starts, gets plenty of help from his friends.
"He's got a great crew with him," BSU defensive coordinator Ron Collins said.
Jacobs has five receivers to choose from on many of his pass plays. The Falcons run a one-back offense and flood the field with receivers.
Collins said senior receivers Charles Sharon (17 catches, 237 yards, 3 TDs) and Steve Sanders (13 catches, 245 yards, 4 TDs) are "dynamite."
The Falcons average 443 passing yards per game; the Broncos allow 336.5.
Senior tailback P.J. Pope also is a standout. Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon even tells people that Pope, not Jacobs, is the Falcons' best offensive player.
Pope missed most of the first two games because of injury. He has topped 1,000 rushing yards and 1,400 total yards each of the past two years. He scored 21 touchdowns last season ? 15 rushing, six receiving.
"They have a good running back that everyone is overlooking," BSU safety Marty Tadman said. "We'll have to stop the run first."
Special teams
One way for Boise State to keep up with the high-scoring Falcons today is through the Broncos' stellar kickoff-return unit. The Falcons have allowed an 85-yard return this year.
The Broncos average 24.8 yards on kickoff returns, led by Quinton Jones' 31.4-yard average. The unit has been the highlight of the special teams, which otherwise have been below the Broncos' lofty standards.
The punt-return unit has been ineffective, and the punt-cover team has allowed 9.6 yards per return and a blocked punt.
On the positive side, the Broncos have forced three turnovers on special teams. The kickoff coverage has been decent.
Bowling Green has a major question mark at kicker. Joe Timchenko is just 8-of-11 on PATs. The Falcons have not attempted a field goal this year.
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Hall set to return for home opener
The Boise State football team's defense gets a pick-me-up this week with the return of senior safety Cam Hall for Wednesday's home opener against Bowling Green.
Hall missed the first two games because of legal trouble. He is charged with felony fleeing the scene of an injury accident and misdemeanor reckless driving stemming from a May 7 car wreck that killed a family of three.
Hall, who avoided the crash, previously was charged with three counts of vehicular manslaughter for his part in what prosecutors say was a road-rage incident with another driver that led to the crash. He pulled himself off the active roster, but practiced with the team during fall camp.
The vehicular manslaughter charges were dropped two days before the Sept. 3 season opener at Georgia, and Hall asked for reinstatement to the team. BSU held him out of two games before granting his request.
Hall was the projected starter at free safety after spring practices. He led the team with 19 tackles in last year's Liberty Bowl and made two interceptions in the regular-season finale at Nevada to clinch the Broncos' 11-0 regular season.
He has decided not to speak to the media this season, BSU officials say.
"It's going to help a lot having him back, having his leadership," sophomore starting free safety Marty Tadman said. "We all know he's going to go out there and just ball out. He's going to just do awesome. He might be that sparkplug that we need."
Tadman remains the starter at free safety, coach Dan Hawkins said, but Hall will be deeply involved in the defense.
Hall even could start, because Bowling Green's offense will force the Broncos to use as many as six defensive backs in certain situations.
Hall can play free safety, rover, strong-side linebacker or the two additional safety positions the Broncos use in passing situations.
Defensive coordinator Ron Collins said he wants Hall to provide leadership. He's uncertain how much Hall will play because he's not in "game shape."
Teammates, however, expect Hall to make a major impact. Tadman, in fact, says he probably will lose some playing time ? and he's OK with that.
"Cam's a senior," Tadman said. "Cam deserves to play. Cam has more experience. ... He's probably smarter than anyone in our defensive secondary."
And, above all, Hall is a playmaker on defense and special teams. He has fought injuries the past two years, but when healthy he has provided six interceptions, two sacks, three blocked punts and a blocked-punt recovery for a touchdown.
He's the strongest and largest (6-foot-1, 209 pounds) defensive back on the team. The Broncos' starting safeties, Tadman (5-11, 181) and sophomore Austin Smith (5-9, 170), are the smallest set in the Western Athletic Conference.
One season preview labeled Hall the hardest-hitting safety in the WAC.
"He presents a physical presence over the middle," junior cornerback Gerald Alexander said. "Just seeing him out there is going to pump us up. We know how happy he is to be out there. He's been waiting for this moment for a very long time."
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POPE TO PLAY: BG Coach Brandon said last night during his weekly radio show broadcast on 1230 that running back P.J. Pope will play tomorrow night. Pope, a 1,000-yard rusher in each of the past two seasons, missed the Ball State game after spraining his ankles in the Wisconsin game. "P.J.'s ready to go," Brandon said. "I hope he's at full strength."
