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Bronco’s face challenge in Corvallis
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The Boise State Broncos take their show on the road this
Saturday in their third game of the season. The undefeated Broncos
travel to Corvallis to match up with Pac-10 powerhouse Oregon
State. The Beavers are 2-1 this season, their only loss came in a
close battle against WAC’s Fresno State, 16-14.
Boise State played a couple of tune-up games against Division
I-AA Idaho State and the University of Idaho – neither of
which posed much of a threat to the Broncos.
The team is primed and ready to take on their first challenge of
this young 2003 season.
Coach Dan Hawkins said the Broncos are looking forward to the
contest.
Although this is a non-conference game for the Broncos, the
stakes are high. If the Broncos have any hope of breaking into the
top-25 in the next few weeks they cannot afford an early-season
loss. The Broncos have set some lofty team goals this season, which
include winning the WAC, a top-10 finish, and playing in a BCS Bowl
game.
The team knows some people doubt their legitimacy, and question
the success of their 2002 season. They know where they stand, but
most importantly they know where they want to be. Boise State by
any measure must beat Oregon State in order to get there.
The Broncos are coming off two victories, which give them some
momentum coming into this game. On the flipside, the Beavers, who
already dropped a game this short-lived season, are undoubtedly
playing with a sense of urgency. Certainly, Oregon State has no
intention of dropping to a marginal 2-2.
The Broncos are 0-2 all time against the Beavers, and have never
beaten a Pac-10 opponent. However, their last meeting was 13 years
ago, and a lot of changes have been made in the Bronco football
program since then. Senior running back David Mikell said the
changes in the program should not be underestimated.
“We’ve had good success over the past couple of
years, been in the top 25, and that has helped us recruit better
players.” Mikell said.
The Broncos have looked very impressive on defense so far this
season, but will have their work cut out for them this week. It
will be very difficult to slow down, let alone stop Oregon
State’s running attack.
Junior tailback Steven Jackson has already put up some
impressive numbers in his first three games. Last weekend against
New Mexico State, Jackson tallied 164 yards on 35 carries, and has
423 yards on the season.
In 2002 he ran for 1690 total yards. Jackson has also averaged
over 5 yards per carry in the last two seasons, and 4.6
yards-per-carry this season, so he knows how to grind out some
tough yards.
Jackson’s work on the ground is matched by equally
impressive reception statistics. He has compiled 189 yards on 12
receptions, giving him an average of 15.8 yards per catch. Jackson
is the Beavers favorite weapon, but he may also be the only real
explosive weapon in their arsenal.
Not to be outdone, the Broncos have some weapons of their own.
In addition to the eight receivers who average more than 10 yards
per reception, the Broncos have senior running back David
Mikell.
Mikell has amassed 334 yards on just 40 carries, giving the
Broncos an average of 8.4 yards every time he touches the ball.
Mikell had a breakout game last week and hopes to put up more big
yards this weekend at Reser Stadium.
“I just do what I can to help us win games,“ Mikell
said.
Todd Gabriel
Special to The Arbiter
