View Single Post
Old 01-02-2006, 10:03 AM   #134
hoopsguy
General Manager
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Chicago
99,148 are on hand for the home opener.

Their defense is selling out to stop Brown early.
A holding call sets us back to a 2nd and 21, but Edwards hits Stablein for 23.
Stablein hurts his elbow blocking on the next play and is probably done for the day.
Another penalty puts the brakes on the opening drive and we punt from their 40.
They will have to start from their 3 yard line.

Boise State comes out passing, but not to Byrum.
But QB Kermit West hits his first three attempts to move away from the goal line.
The drive ends with DE Ronald Smith lowering the boom on their running back, forcing a fumble that fellow end Joe Banducci collects. The offense will start at the Boise 29.

First two plays go to Ben Jackson, but a crackback block pushes us back again. Three penalties on the offense in less than 8 minutes.
And Edwards gives the ball back on a fumble after being sacked. Kudos to the Boise defense so far, but I'm getting annoyed early in this one.

Another holding penalty called on us. What conference are these refs from? Inquiring minds want to know.
Next play, DT Jack Farmer bursts through the line for his first collegiate sack. And first forced fumble. Joe Banducci again collects the loose ball. We again have great field position.

We go 3 and out, settling for a 32 yard field goal for McMullen. But it is blocked. Wow.

The defense is doing their job, as FS Greg Moore steps in front of an errant pass.
Three forced turnovers inside of ten minutes. Ball at our 40. What will the offense do to help us?

Brown finally finds a seam against the Boise 46 defense and goes for 24 yards, down to the 22 yard line.
3 and out from there, including another sack of Edwards.
44 yard field goal falls short. If I had another kicker on the roster McMullen would be riding the pine again. But this year we need him to work through this crap.

CB Rulon Bowens comes up in run support to force another fumble. Guess who recovers it? JB is on the scene again. Offense starts at the Boise 47. Someone make a big play and get in the end zone so McMullen can miss the extra point.

3 and out, we don't look good offensively right now.
We pin them at the 4 on the punt.

Defense doesn't force a turnover this time - can't do it every possession, right? But they do force a punt after only one first down.

Boise State gets their first penalty of the game, helping us move the chains.
Edwards and Brewer connect on a 29 yard route, with Brewer throwing a mean stiff-arm to pick up a couple of extra yards.
We have another holding penalty on 2nd and goal at the 6.
33 yards this time for McMullen. Holy shit, he made one. 3-0, 7:33 left in half.

The defense is stingy once again, not allowing anything over 6 yards. Boise State punts.

3 and out for us. Boise St sacked Edwards for the 3rd time on that set of downs.

DT Jack Farmer has a toe injury and limps off the field. With Burford already out, we are back to last years' scrubs at DT now.
Banducci records a sack on 3rd down to force a punt.

We are again forced to punt, as our passing game just isn't quite clicking.
Once again Boise is forced to start inside their 10.
Halftime comes quickly.

Halftime Notes:
Boy, it is just embarrassing that we are not up more than this with the way the defense has played.
Our kicking game is a joke, with a guy who is supposed to be one of the best in the nation.
Penalties and sacks have slowed down the offense and the running game isn't really on track despite Brown having 47 yards (13 carries).

CB Bowens intercepts a 3rd down pass, we start at our 46.
Edwards connects with Ben Jackson on 4th and 1, and a roughing the passer penalty is also assessed.
The fullback Hagood Morris punches it in from the 2. 10-0, 10:56 left in the 3rd.

Joe Banducci recovers his 4th fumble of the day - is that some kind of record? - after CB Elijah McAllister delivers a textbook hit. UCLA ball at the Boise St 22.

Edwards throws a terrible INT to give them the ball back.
Defense has forced six turnovers so far and we only have ten points to show for it. Very frustrating.

30 yard pass play on a jump ball for Boise St.
An unneccessary roughness call against the offense pushes them back.
They have to punt, but put us back on our 3 to start the next drive.

Brown fumbles the ball after an 8 yard pickup and Boise State recovers the ball on our 21.

3 and out, field goal unit is on the field. Good from 37, 10-3 with 5:24 left in the 3rd quarter.

OT Lonie Smith leaves the game with a lower back issue. Not good, although we have depth to cover for him.
FB Lashon Toomer explodes for 27 yards, to the Boise State 31.
We are stuffed on 3 straight runs there, losing 5 yards.
McMullen attempts a 54 yard field goal, but it is short.

Defense forces another 3 and out. They have only allowed 8 first downs so far this game.

Brown is getting nowhere today. 19 carries for 60 yards near the end of 3.
And Gary Brewer leaves the game with a knee injury. This game is going from bad to worse right now.
RB Gannon Dawson eludes a man in the backfield and turns it into a 26 yard gallop.
We are stopped at the Boise 26. Time for McMullen ... wide left from 46! Unreal.

CB Rulon Bowens makes his 2nd interception of the day and takes it back 36 yards to the Boise State 44.
9 first downs allowed, 7 turnovers forced. And we are only up 7. Disgusting.

Edwards and Jackson again hook up, this time for 31 yards. The defense had good coverage and made a big hit, but Jackson is clutch. Not a play he would have made last year.
Brown runs it in from two yards out. 17-3, 9:47 left in the game.

Defense forces another 3 and out.

4th and 1 at the 48, and we wisely punt.

Another 3 and out. ILB Scott Wilson is making his share of tackles today.

We begin running out the clock, with Dawson and Brown picking up 10+ yards apiece.
OG Bill Lee is called for tripping, his 2nd big penalty on the day.
Gannon Dawson may end up with more yards than Brown on the day.
McMullen connects on a 49 yard field goal. Kind of a garbage time score for him with us already up 2 TDs. 20-3, 1:13 to play.

Boise State gets an 86 yard kickoff return, down to our 15.
They find paydirt, 20-10 with 0:53 left to play.

We recover the onside. Game over.
hoopsguy is offline   Reply With Quote