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Moore of the Same
Trent Lootens, Producer
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BSU sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore speaks to reporter for the final time prior to facing the Oregon Ducks at Broncos Stadium on Sept. 3.
When Kellen Moore played in his first away game at Oregon last season he was an ordinary Freshmen quarterback, but when that game was over his life was changed forever.
After throwing for 386 yards and three touchdowns against the Ducks in one of the most hostile stadiums in the nation, Moore was able to silence his critics and permanently instill himself in Bronco history after winning National Player of the Week honors for the performance.
Even after coming onto the national scene as a redshirt Freshman, Moore tries not to think about last year’s Oregon game he only tries to learn from it.
“I think it was good for last year’s season. It got us going early in the year, but I don’t know how much it affects us this year. I think it’s something to look at and learn from,” Moore said.
Playing a team of Oregon’s caliber first game poses many challenges for a team like Boise State who will be relying on Moore’s arm to move the ball down field.
Moore, who is a coach’s son from Prosser, Wash., feels comfortable playing the Ducks first game and seems anxious to see what the Ducks will throw his way.
“They’re pretty good. This is the first game and everybody always has their little twists and obviously they’ve been working on a lot of stuff. There’s always a tad bit of mystery to the first game, but excitement at the same time,” the Sophomore quarterback said. “I think it’s exciting being the first game. People are always anxious to get the first game over with and with a team like Oregon coming in here it builds up a lot.”
After the loss of safety Patrick Chung to the National Football League the Ducks were able to fill the void left by the All-American with Senior safety T.J. Ward.
Ward is a physical safety that strikes fear in his opponents, as well as his teammates in practice. Ward is the leader of a secondary that will try to contain Moore and the Bronco receivers.
“Their defensive backs are very good. Now that Patrick Chung has left there’s going to be a lot of guys that will get an opportunity and I think they deserve it,” Moore said.
Joining Ward in Oregon’s physical secondary is fellow Senior cornerback Walter Thurmond III. Thurmond III will challenge the Broncos’ receivers and force them to make plays.
“They’re the type of defense that wants to stop the run first and their DB’s will play aggressive,” Moore said. “I think they’ll try and get their hands on the receivers a lot. I think they’re a really physical team that play’s aggressive and gets after you.”
Being named to the 2009 Allstate Sugar Bowl Manning Award and Maxwell Award watch lists as a Sophomore is a feat that most quarterbacks, even those at BCS schools, will never achieve.
All of these accomplishments could not have become reality if not for the Oregon game last year. Making it realistic to say that though Moore will try to dismantle the Ducks with his arm Sept. 3, the Ducks have helped immensely in catapulting Moore into the national spotlight.