Boise State 40, Toledo 15.
The Boise State Broncos began their game against Toledo in similar fashion to their game two weeks ago against Georgia: slowly.
Boise’s defense allowed the Rockets to drive the length of the field and score on their opening possession, which consisted of multiple screen plays the Broncos were unable to defend.
Luckily, the Broncos were able to counter-punch with their own scoring drive on the following possession. Kellen Moore’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Shoemaker, along with a successful PAT, put Boise State ahead 7-6 in the first quarter.
The Broncos added another score on the following drive, when Moore dumped a screen pass to Doug Martin, who then juked, jived and dodged his way to a 71-yard touchdown reception. Unfortunately, kicker Dan Goodale was unable to convert the PAT attempt.
The Rockets came out firing on their next possession, led by quarterback Terrance Owens. The Bronco defense was able to bend without breaking forcing the Rockets to punt the ball.
The game remained stagnate until the Broncos’ final possession of the first half when they drove 64 yards to the one yard line. Moore put a scare into Boise fans when an attempted QB sneak at the goal line ended up with the ball on the ground in the end-zone. Luckily, the officials called Moore down on the play.
Moore was able to connect on a fade route to the corner of the end-zone with wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker on the next play to put Boise ahead 20-6.
The Rockets put together a nice drive of their own to finish the half and ended up with three more points off a field goal as time expired in the second quarter.
The second half consisted mainly of Kellen Moore surgically slicing through Toledo’s defense (aside from an interception late in the third quarter).
Bronco fans were forced to hold their breath early in the third when Moore came up limping after rolling out to the left sideline. He appeared to tweak his knee on the play and received some attention from the Boise State medical staff, while sophomore Joe Southwick finished the series. Moore was able to return the next series for the Broncos to lead them on a scoring drive.
Moore finished the night completing 32 of 42 passes for 455 yards and five touchdowns.
Moore may have even found a couple fans on Toledo’s sideline.
“I didn’t like what he did to our defense, but if he was playing someone else I would say I’m a fan of Kellen Moore,” Adonis Thomas, the Rockets’ running back, said.
The Bronco defense was able to hold the Rockets’ offense to 15 points, making their biggest play of the night on an interception by defensive lineman Chase Baker. Baker was able to corral a tipped ball thrown by the Rockets’ Terrance Owens.
Doug Martin finished the evening with over 250 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Tyler Shoemaker grabbed only four passes, fortunately three were for touchdowns.
The Broncos will have a little over a week to rest before their home-opener against Tulsa next Saturday at 6 p.m. in Bronco Stadium.