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by
Joel Welser
#36 Boise State Broncos
Western Athletic
2006 Record: (13-0, 8-0)
Coach: Chris Petersen (13-0 at Boise State,
13-0 overall)
Starters Returning: 10 (5 offense, 5 defense,
0 specialists)
Offensive Starters Lost: QB Jared Zabransky,
FB Brad Lau, WR Jerard Rabb, WR Drisan James, TE Derek Schouman, OL Jadon Dailey
Offensive Starters Returning: RB Ian Johnson,
OL Jeff Cavender, OL Ryan Clady, OL Tad Miller, OL Andrew Woodruff
Defensive Starters Lost: DT Andrew Browning,
DT Dennis Ellis, DE Mike G. Williams, LB Colt Brooks, LB Korey Hall, S Gerald
Alexander
Defensive Starters Returning: DE Nick
Schlekeway, LB Kyle Gingg, CB Orlando Scandrick, CB Kyle Wilson, S Marty Tadman
Starting Specialists Lost: K Anthony
Montgomery, P Kyle Stringer
Starting Specialists Returning: none
Last year’s perfect season was a culmination of the
development of the program. The Broncos had a three-year starter at quarterback
and a very underappreciated defense that paved the way to greatness. This year,
quarterback Jared Zabransky is gone and the defense lacks the firepower and
experience they had in 2006.
Offense:
The strength of the offense will be with running
back Ian Johnson and the four returning starters on the offensive line. Johnson
rushed for 1,714 yards and an amazing 25 touchdowns last year and has the
ability to carry the offense if the passing game struggles.
And without Zabransky and wide receivers Jerard Rabb,
Drisan James and Legedu Naanee, the passing game could run into difficulties.
Senior Taylor Tharp has the most experience in the system and has been a backup
for the last two seasons. In those two years, Tharp has completed 32-of-50
passes for 359 yards and two touchdowns, and those were not all in blowout
situations. The receivers will not be as good without Rabb, James and Naanee,
but there is some talent that has been waiting on the bench. Vinny Perretta and
Jeremy Childs fought their way into a crowded wide receiver corps last year and
are expected to step up into a lead role this campaign.
Defense:
The secondary remains mostly intact, but the Broncos
have some major rebuilding to do in the front seven. Starting in the middle of
the line, Joe Bozikovich, Ian Smart, Sione Tavake and Phillip Edwards will have
to replace departing tackles Andrew Browning and Dennis Ellis. Starting end Nick
Schlekeway and part-time starter Mike T. Williams will anchor the line while the
new tackles adjust to more playing time.
The absence of WAC Defensive Player of the Year
Korey Hall in the middle of the linebacker corps is a concern. His backup for
the last three years has been Josh Bean and the senior should be ready to take
over. However, redshirt freshman Derrell Acrey may relegate Bean to backup duty
for a fourth year. Kyle Gingg and David Shields split time last year and will
man the outside linebacker positions. Marty Tadman is a great safety who will
lead the solid group of defensive backs. Replacing fellow safety Gerald
Alexander is the lone concern for the secondary, but there are plenty of
options. Senior Austin Smith started at safety before moving to the corner last
year and junior college transfer Garcia Day will at least be a quality option
off the bench.
The Bottom Line:
Expecting another 2006 is asking a little too much,
but there is no doubt Coach Chris Petersen has quickly taken Boise State to the
next level on the national scene. As long as the recruits keep coming in, and
they will, it will be a long time before BSU slips from the top of the WAC
standings.
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