When Boise State got the ball back with 9:31 remaining in the game, head coach Chris Petersen told the Broncos’ offensive line they were going to run the ball on every play to control the clock and finish the Oregon State Beavers.
The offensive line answered Petersen’s challenge and put an end to a game defined by physical toughness. A little finesse by junior quarterback Kellen Moore also helped the Broncos (3-0) surge to a 37-24 win Saturday night against the Beavers (1-2).
“We told them (o-line) when we started this (final drive) that we weren’t throwing a pass and they did a nice job of creating some creases,” Petersen said. “We put it on their shoulders and they answered.”
Moore, improved his Heisman Trophy stock again on national television by going 19-of-27 for 288 yards with three touchdown passes. But this night belonged to junior running back Doug Martin.
Martin set the tone for the entire team by lowering his shoulders and used his helmet to barrel through OSU tacklers in route to a 138-yard game on 19 carries.
With 5:28 remaining in the third quarter, Matrin grasped a handoff and bursted through a gaping hole in the OSU defense for a 55-yard gain, using his body as a battering ram all the way down to the Beavers’ 29-yard-line.
“The lineman were doing a really good job with the blocks, and so were the receivers,” Martin said. “They were blocking down field and they just did a really good job.”
Junior wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker rewarded Martin’s hard work when he reeled in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Moore five plays later, pushing BSU’s lead to 31-17 with 2:37 left in the third quarter.
The offensive line provided Moore, who wasn’t sacked once, with all the time he needed to make sure OSU’s secondary got its workout in for the day.
Even senior wide receiver Austin Pettis had enough time to throw a six-yard touchdown to senior tight end Tommy Gallarda early in the first quarter. The play was set up by Moore, who appeared to be running the option with D.J. Harper then pitched the ball to Pettis who was streaking the other way with a wide-open passing window.
“Someone whispered it down the line and we knew it was coming,” senior defensive end Ryan Winterswyk said of the trick play call. “As soon as I saw Tommy run past the defender we know it was going to work.”
BSU’s defense did its part by corralling OSU running back Jacquizz Rodgers and containing him to only 46 yards on 18 carries. The Broncos’ defensive line was relentless again, sacking OSU sophomore quarterback Ryan Katz four times. Katz never fully found his rhythm and was held to 12-of-26 passing with a single touchdown.
BSU did find a way to shot itself in the foot on several occasions, though. The Broncos committed eight penalties at most the critical times and blew several coverages on special teams. None more blatant than when OSU senior punt returner/wide receiver James Rodgers took Kyle Brotzman’s first punt to the house for a 54-yard touchdown with 4:12 left in the first quarter.
“That really hurt us. We’ve just got to go back and watch film, correct it and next game just do what we do on those special teams units,” Petersen said of BSU’s special teams.
Senior wide receiver Titus Young, who muffed a punt that led to an OSU touchdown, led all Bronco receivers with five catches for 136 yards and a touchdown. Pettis made his presence felt by catching four passes for 62 yards with one touchdown.
“Like always, some of the best wide receivers in the country,” Moore said. “I think they’re the best group in the country. They come up with big play after big play. They just make me look good, and that pretty much is the bottom line.”
BSU’s 13-point win shouldn’t hurt them in the national polls. The players still felt they proved everything they needed to in order to keep their national respect.
“We won a big game against a very good opponent and played well,” Moore said. “Certainly there are a lot of things to improve on but that’s how the season goes. You progress and improve and get better each week.”
The Broncos have their chance to improve next Saturday when they travel to Las Cruses, N.M. to take on the New Mexico State Aggies.