Snow in Provo: Broncos roll past Cougars 50-12

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Boise State vs. BYU game.

The Bronco football stepped to the grass of LaVell Edwards

Stadium Thursday night to take on the BYU Cougars on a nationally

televised game on ESPN. Boise State showed the rest of the nation

what Bronco fans already knew – these guys are for real. The

team was challenged more by the snow and the 32 degree temperatures

than the Cougars, as Coach Dan Hawkins’ team delivered a

50-12 pounding in Provo.

The Broncos improved to 8-1 overall, and sit comfortably atop

the WAC, with a perfect 5-0 conference record.

The Broncos got off to a quick start, leading 14-2 at the end of

the first, on touchdowns from Cam Hall and David Mikell.

Julius Brown also recorded his second interception of the season

in the first quarter of play.

The BYU special teams capitalized on a less than stellar

kickoff, scoring two on a quick safety.

But then the Bronco defense jumped into the action in the second

quarter, with senior co-captain Wes Nurse grabbing his third and

fourth interceptions of the year. Nurse was up and gone after his

second pick, returning the interception for a touchdown run with a

little over 10 minutes remaining in the half.

Boise State took a 28-2 lead into the locker room at the

half.

When the teams emerged from the break, the temperature had

dropped, but the Broncos were still red hot.

After BYU took their second two off a safety and scored on one

short touchdown run, the Broncos regained possession of the ball,

and held onto it for most the half.

Senior wide receiver Tim Gilligan led the charge, with his first

touchdown run of the contest. Then Bronco quarterback Ryan

Dinwiddie connected with Gilligan on a two-point conversion to put

Boise State up 36-12 with less than a minute remaining in the third

quarter.

Shortly after, Dinwiddie got it done one time solo-style,

jogging in for a touchdown of his own.

Broncos led 43-12.

Then it Gilligan finished out the scoring with his second score

of the night. Gilligan finished with 209 yards on eight passes, and

player of the game honors.

Boise State could move into the top-25 for the first time this

season with Thursday’s win.

Next weekend the Broncos will take a rest before returning to

Bronco Stadium on Nov. 15, in a WAC match up versus Texas-El

Paso.

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Big Game Broncs

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Tim Gilligan – Senior wide receiver

The senior wide receiver flat-out got it done this game. Gilligan

finished with eight catches for 209 yards, a pair of touchdowns and

player of the game honors.

Unbelievable. Games like this put Gilligan on the NFL scouts

radars as a possibility in the 2004 draft.

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Wes Nurse – Senior safety

Nurse racked up 9 tackles and notched two interceptions against

BYU. He took the second interception 42 yards for a touchdown,

putting the Broncos up 21-2. Nurse has proven his worth as team

co-captain, game after game, play after play. Nurse is the heart

and soul of the Bronco’s defensive unit. Look for big thing

from him in the future.

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Ryan Dinwiddie – Senior quarterback

Dinwiddie finished the game 12-of-23 for 247 yards and a pair of

touchdowns. The guy deserves props just for directing the

Broncos’ offense with such poise week in and week out. Why

only the three stars? Dinwiddie’s got a golden arm and an

explosive offensive unit – anything short of a

record-breaking performance only gets the trey. You set the bar too

high playa.

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Andy Avalos – Junior linebacker

The junior linebacker led the Broncos with 10 tackles, one for a

loss. The Bronco offensive unit might put up the points, but

it’s the defense that drives the nail into the coffin. Bronco

fans have one more season to watch this guy, so keep an eye out

– because Avalos’ game only gets better.

Andrea Trujillo
Sports Editor
The Arbiter

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