Boise State vs. Tulsa Football 2009
No. 5 Broncos Face Potentially Tough Matchup on Road
Boise State (5-0) enters the game with a No. 5 national ranking and hopes of breaking into a Bowl Championship Series bowl game at the end of the season.
But the Broncos will have to win their remaining eight regular season games to have a shot, and Tulsa looks to be the toughest opponent Boise has left.
Coach Chris Petersen’s team had dropped from sixth to fifth in the rankings after a lackluster 34-16 win over UC Davis on Oct. 3, but moved back up after LSU lost to No. 1 Florida last weekend and fell from fourth to 10th.
Yet Boise State remains sixth in the USA Today coaches poll, which unlike the AP rankings, figure in the Bowl Championship Series standings. So an impressive performance vs. Tulsa could be critical.
The Broncos will be under pressure literally as well as figuratively. Coach Todd Graham’s Golden Hurricane ranks among the national leaders in tackles for losses. And Tulsa runs a fast-paced, no-huddle offense installed by former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who has since taken the system to Auburn.
Tulsa owns a 4-1 record, which includes a 2-0 mark in Conference USA. Its only loss this season was a 45-0 setback at No. 20 Oklahoma.
The Golden Hurricane played in the Western Athletic Conference along with Boise State before moving to CUSA. The teams have met four times, with the Broncos going 4-0. Their fifth meeting, which is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST, will be telecast by ESPN.
Sophomore QB Leads Tulsa Offense
Tulsa averages 32.8 points and 414.2 yards per game, with quarterback G.J. Kinne accounting for much of both. The mobile sophomore has completed 82 of 128 passes for 1,142 yards and 10 touchdowns against just two interceptions. But he hasn’t always been well-protected. Tulsa’s given up 19 – including six to Oklahoma.
Kinne’s most frequent target has been Damaris Johnson, who leads the Golden Hurricane with 20 catches for 369 yards. He's also a talented kick returner.
But the receiving corps is deep, including A.J. Whitmore (17 receptions, 163 yards), Trae Johnson (11 catches, 177 yards, team-high 5 TDs) and 6-4 Slick Shelley (12 receptions, 214 yards, 3 TDs). Another frequent target is fullback Charles Clay ( 14 passes for 126 yards.
The primary running threats have been Jamad Williams (45 rushes, 169 yards, 1 TD), Kinne (59 rushes, 167 yards, 2 TDs) and Charles Opesevitian (31 carries, 159 yards, 1 TD).
Golden Hurricane Applies Heavy Pressure
Tulsa is averaging three sacks per game, and ranks sixth in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision with 8.6 tackles for losses. Spearheading the charge have been linebacker Mike Bryan, (6.5 tackles for losses) and defensive end Un’tavious Scott (5 tackles for losses, 3 sacks).
Sophomore DB DeAundre Brown has posted a team-leading 36 tackles, and is followed by Bryan (33 tackles), linebacker Tanner Antle (27 tackles) and DB James Lockett (25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for losses, 25 sacks).
Cornerback John Destin tops the Golden Hurricane with three interceptions, and also has 20 tackles and three pass breakups. Freshman Cory Dorris has added 18 tackles, including 3.5 for losses with 2.5 sacks.
Tulsa has been giving up just 16,2 points, 95 yards rushing yards, and only 299.2 total yards per game. But the Golden Hurricane was rolled for 529 yards by Oklahoma, the only FBS team with a winning record it's faced this year.
Tulsa has two victories over 0-5 teams, including a 27-10 decision over Rice in its last game Oct. 3.
Boise State Averaging 40 Points Per Game
The Broncos have not played the most formidable schedule either, facing Miami of Ohio (0-6) and Bowling Green (2-4). And Boise State didn’t win any style points by playing FCS school UC Davis.
But the Broncos did manage to pile up 52 points against a dangerous Fresno State team, and of course, dealt No. 13 Oregon its only loss of the season.
Since toughing out the 19-8 win over Oregon in its opener, Boise State has averaged 45.5 points per game. Overall, the Broncos are tied for fifth in the FBS with a 40.2 average.
Boise is averaging 439.4 yards, with the Kellen Moore-led passing attack producing 247.8. Moore, meanwhile, is second in the FBS in passing efficiency with a rating of 176.61.
Receiving Duo Delivers for Broncos
Moore has completed 69.7 percent of 132 passes for 1,217 yards and 13 touchdowns with just two interceptions. His top receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young are also enjoying fine seasons, with Pettis catching 28 passes for 378 yards and a team-high six touchdowns and Young making 26 grabs for 330 yards and four TDs.
Pettis came up with a career-high 10 catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns vs. Davis.
The ground game remains potent even without injured D.J. Harper. Jeremy Avery has rushed 72 times for 464 yards and a touchdown, and Doug Martin’s added 38 carries for 193 yards and four TDs.
Young and Martin have provided an extra boost on special teams, with Martin averaging 36.8 yards a return and Young picking up 29.3.
Boise Defense Still Steady
The Broncos, playing without injured cornerback Kyle Wilson, gave up 206 yards to UC Davis. But it did take the Aggies 36 passes to gain that total, and they did only rush 17 times for 28 yards. So statistically, it was hardly a disaster.
Other than in its 51-34 win over Fresno State, Boise State’s defense has been solid. The Broncos have been yielding just 14.4 points and 273.8 yards per game.
Safety Jeron Johnson leads Boise with 23 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups, and defensive tackle Billy Winn has recorded 21 tackles, including five for losses.
Other standouts have included defensive end Ryan Winterswyk (5 tackles for losses, 3 sacks), linebacker Aaron Tevis (4 tackles for losses, 2 interceptions) and linebacker J.C. Percy (18 tackles).
The pass rush remains a potential problem. Boise has made just six sacks, and had just one against UC Davis.
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