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Moore brothers finally connect
Trent Lootens
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NIK BJUSTROM/THE ARBITER Kellen Moore drops back during an early season contest against Miami (OH)
Kirby Moore came to Boise State to play football with his brother Kellen. The brothers played together as early as Pop Warner league and now have the chance to showcase their skills at the college level.
Saturday against San Jose State the brothers connected for their first touchdown as Broncos.
Kirby lined up wide left next to sophomore Tyler Shoemaker for a first down play on BSU’s own 39-yard line early in the first quarter. Kellen took the snap and rolled out to his left with strong pressure coming from his blind side and threw a laser over Shoemaker right to Kirby. With his great hands, Kirby pulled in the high pass and took off with nothing but blue in front of him all the way to the end zone.
“When I first caught the ball I thought the guy was really close to tackling me,” Kirby said. “It was like it was too easy at first so I was checking around to make sure nobody was around me.”
Kirby took advantage of the look San Jose State’s defense gave him and utilized a great block by Shoemaker to break into the open field.
“I wasn’t expecting it, but the defense they played just worked to our favor and I just tried to make the most of the opportunity,” Kirby said. “They were playing man coverage and Tyler Shoemaker deserves a lot of credit. He put a pretty good pick on my guy who was trying to trail me.”
The Moore combination finally coming together was a great sign for the Bronco offense. Kirby is another reliable weapon to Kellen’s arsenal. The quarterback a barrage of options for potential deep threats.
Kirby, along with receivers Austin Pettis, Titus Young and Shoemaker completes the most dangerous wide receiver combination since the 2007 Fiesta Bowl team. Mitch Burroughs, a graduate of Meridian High School, caught his first touchdown of the season on a wide open 18-yard pass Saturday.
“We’ve got a lot of guys. (Opposing defenses) Can’t really focus on one guy. Other guys will make plays and kill you with it. Every week it seems like we’ve got a new guy stepping up. You just got to be prepared for everyone,” Kellen said.
Kellen thought it was great to finally be able to connect with his brother for a score, but realizes it’s going to be the first of many.
“It had to come at some point. We’re going to be here a few more years,” the quarterback said.
Kellen’s first touchdown pass to his brother was a special moment. The team had been waiting for this moment all year and for it to happen the way it did was great for everyone.
“That was awesome. I think everybody on our sideline had a smile on their face. To get a chance to play division one football with your brother is rare. Not many guys get a chance to play division one football and then when your brother is good enough to play and you can hook up for touchdowns too, it’s special,” Boise State head coach Chris Petersen said.
The Moore brothers get their next chance to put up points next week against a beleaguered Louisiana Tech pass defense who surrendered 327 yards through the air in its most recent game in a loss to the Idaho Vandals.