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Bronco running back finally reaches plateau
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Averaging 219 rushing yards per game would normally constitute having at least one running back that would average over 100 yards per game-or at least someone who would eclipse the
century mark.
Through eight games, no Boise State player had rushed for 100 yards in a game. But that finally ended Saturday as senior running back Lee Marks went over 100 on an 11-yard rush late in the third quarter.
“For me as a senior, it means a lot because it was something I definitely wanted to accomplish a few times before my career was over with. We got a win tonight and it felt so good,” Marks said. This was the fourth time in his career Marks has gone over 100 in a game. He did it three times last season.
Unknowing if he had finally made the leap, Marks admitted he was trying to get as many yards so the wait could finally be over.
“I thought I was pretty close, but I wasn’t too sure,” Marks said. “I just kept trying to get in there and run the ball because I really wanted to get 100. So, I’m glad I got it.”
Marks still isn’t the leading rusher on the team either. That is something freshman Ian Johnson has. Marks has rushed for 533 yards and Johnson has 544, yet Johnson’s season high has
been 85 yards”He’s going to get a lot of 100-yard games,” Marks said.
The freshman also made the prediction to The Arbiter earlier in the week that Marks would get over 100 yards against New Mexico State.
“I’ll thank him,” Marks said.
Along with Antwaun Carter, the Broncos have three running backs with at least 322 yards rushing. And as great as the running backs, including Jeff Carpenter (180 yard rushing, 249 receiving), all of them will point to the offensive line as the reason for their success.
“I think just getting a push and knocking guys off the ball. They are doing a great job. I think this is one of the best offensive lines Boise State probably ever had,” Marks said.
Marks is even especially grateful to the linemen. Standing at just 5 foot, 7 inches and weighing in a 179 pounds, Marks’ small stature needs all the blocking he can get.
“Without them I know I wouldn’t be nothing, especially me being the size that I am,” Marks said.
The offensive line is the deepest it has been in recent past. Seven different players have started this season, and all but one of the starters in Saturday’s win over Nex Mexico State are sophomores and freshman.
“We want to be the best offensive line in the WAC,” Cavendar said following the win against the Aggies Saturday.
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BOX SCORE:
Score 1 2 3 4 Final
BSU 7 14 14 21 56
NMSU 6 0 0 0 6
First Quarter
BSU- Carpenter 9 run (Montgomery kick), 6:14
NMSU- Dubois 13 pass from Vincent (kick failed), 3:26
Second Quarter
BSU- Marks 4 run (Montgomery kick), 14:00
BSU- Carter 2 run (Montgomery kick), 12:22
Third Quarter
BSU- Zabransky 1 run (Montgomery kick), 5:40
BSU- Rabb 3 pass from Zabransky (Montgomery kick), 3:27
Fourth Quarter
BSU- Carter 2 run (Montgomery kick), 114:20
BSU- Johnson 5 run (Montgomery kick), 11:24
BSU- Bissell 13 pass from Hamdan (Montgomery kick), 9:29
Team Stats BSU NMSU
1st Downs 31 10
Rushing Yards 303 61
Passing Yards 221 115
Total Yards 524 176
Punt Return Avg. 8.2 -0.5
Interceptions 3 1
Time of Possession 36:52 23:08
3rd Down Conversion 11 of 16 5 of 18
4th down Conversions 1 of 3 0 of 2
Sacks 4 0
Boise State:
Passing Att-Comp-Int Yards TD
Zabransky 23-13-1 138 1
Tharp 6-4-0 59 0
Hamdan 2-2-0 24 1
Rushing No. Yards TD Avg.
Marks 18 112 1 6.2
Carter 14 60 2 4.3
Johnson 9 54 1 6.0
Carpenter 7 36 1 5.1
Receiving No. Yards TD Long
Naanee 3 83 0 46
Carpenter 3 17 0 11
Clasen 2 39 0 31
Defense Tackles TFL Sacks INT
K. Hall 7 1 0 0
Jones 5 0 0 0
Barrios 4 2 1 0
Tadman 3 0 0 1
New Mexico State:
Passing Att-Comp-Int Yards TD
Vincent 38-14-3 115 1
Rushing No. Yards TD Avg.
Vincent 12 71 0 5.9
Buries 10 11 0 1.1
Receiving No. Yards TD Long
Harris 5 38 0 9
Allen 2 28 0 23
Dubois 1 13 1 13
Defense Tackles TFL Sacks INT
Griebel 23 0 0 0
Cotrell 11 0 0 0
Gurrier 9 0 0 0
Bryan 6 1 0 1
Trevor Horn
Sports Editor
