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The Broncos Lost and My Daughter Cried
Dec 23rd
Congrats to the TCU Horned Frogs on a well played game. By far the best Defense the Broncos have seen in quite some time, and obviously one of the top defenses in the country.
After the #11 TCU sealed a victory over the #9 Boise State Broncos in the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl 17-16 my 6-year-old daughter began to cry. About a half hour I eventually got her to stop crying (more on that later). I am sure many more Bronco Nation fans shed some tears tonight as well. However, rest assured the Sun will rise tomorrow and so begins the start of the 2009 Campaign for the Boise State Broncos. The Broncos will take a lot from away from this game and learn from the many mistakes made during the game.
What were the mistakes you ask? Not to take away from TCU, but clearly Coach Brian Harsin has gone off the deep end with the reverses and gadget plays. Coach everyone in the world knew you had called the hook and lateral on the games last play. Talk about going to the well one too many times. The Broncos came out in the first half and ran a steady offense and at the end of the game down 17-13 showed it yet again.
Of course bad play calling was not what doomed the Broncos who have lost 4 of their last 5 bowl games. It was failing to score in the Red Zone. Each and every one of those field goals could have been touchdowns. Hand it to TCU for drawing the line in the sand. False starts and holding calls also contributed in stalling the Bronco Offense. To the Bronco Defensive team’s credit they were on the field 35 minutes this game, as the Horned Frogs did what they said they would do. They held the ball and wore down the Bronco Defense.
Now back to my daughter crying after the game. How do you tell your little Bronco Fan about losing? Losing is life and nobody is perfect. Every season can’t be the 2007 Fiesta Bowl (even though I will watch game on New Years Day as I have since they won the game). See I told her that in losing you grow and you become better. The Broncos will be back in 2009, just like the 2nd down and short reverses in the Red Zone. Kellen More will be that much better next year. The offensive line will be that much better and wow what a Defense this year. So I told her that I can’t wait for next year and all the great memories the Broncos will provide us. I can’t wait to see how the Broncos take out the pain of losing this bowl game on next years foes.
Once again TCU, thank you for a well played game and I hope the Broncos and Horned Frogs can meet again in the future and break the 1-1 tie.
Vote for Boise State Coach Chris Petersen
Dec 12th
The annual coach of the year award given to a coach that exemplifies responsibility and excellence both on and off the field. Boise State’s Chris Petersen was named one of the ten finalists for the award this week and Boise State fans can directly impact the results because fan voting at www.coachoftheyear.com accounts for 20% when it comes to determining the winner of the award. Please vote often.
Ian Johnson, Bronco Nation's Favorite Son
Dec 9th
Ian Johnson is one game from ending his college career with Boise State. The November 28th, 2008 Senior Night was his last game on the Bronco Blue. It was one last game that easily was in the top ten of his college career and one many Bronco Fans will never forget. Ian’s last night on the Blue served as a reminder of what number 41 meant to Boise State and to Bronco Nation.
Ian burst onto the national seen by tying a Boise State record scoring five touchdowns while rushing for a career-high 240 yards in a Thursday Night ESPN game against the Oregon State Beavers. That game set the wheels in motion for “Ian for Heisman” talk as well as Boise State’s march towards an eventual BCS Bowl birth. With every run Ian had that night, Bronco Fans were treated to something special. Fans began to get used to those types of runs as Ian finished the season with 1,713 yards and 25 touchdowns. What often gets lost in the 2006-07 season, was Ian had a hernia injury in spring camp. In addition, the Broncos that year were thin at the running back position as senior RB Brett Denton and Sophomore WR/RB Vinny Perretta were listed behind Ian on the depth chart. Despite his lack of size, previous injuries and lack of depth at his position Ian Johnson the O-Line became the focal point of the Broncos offense. However the 2006 season wasn’t without further set backs as Ian’s family, BSU player & coaches as well as fans learned Ian suffered a collapse lung during the San Jose State game. Ian sat out of the following weeks game against Utah State probably against his wishes. Ian was back for the final game as the Broncos finished off the regular season undefeated, afterwards Ian was spotted amongst Bronco Nation sporting a sombrero as it became clear Ian had become Bronco Nation’s favorite sun. It was only fitting that Ian scored on the Fiesta Bowl’s Final play to give the Broncos their biggest win in school history. Oh and there was the marriage proposal in front of millions.
As the Broncos headed into the 2007 season, the focus of the fans and media shifted from IJ to the quarterback position. Coach Petersen made an effort to keep his star running back fresh throughout spring and fall camp. Not to mention some freshman running backs were chomping at the bit for playing time. Clearly as the season began to play out Ian just didn’t look the same. Speculation began to swirl as some thought he hadn’t healed from his lung collapsing in the San Jose State game the previous year. One local sports editor went as far as to blame Ian’s new bride for the lack of yards. To the educated fans and coaches the setback was simply attributed to teams keying in on Ian, making each run more difficult than the next. Ian amassed 1041 yards and 16 touchdowns that season. His play was limited in 2007 as he missed the Fresno State game and saw very limited action in the Hawai’i Bowl versus ECU. It was clear by the end 2007 Ian would begin to share time at running back with Jeremy Avery and D.J. Harper, not to mention redshirt Freshman Doug Martin.
The 2008 season has been like no other for Ian Johnson as his role has certainly changed. To Ian’s credit he focused on the areas that have made him a better all around football player and made Boise State a better team. This year like last year had fans and media focusing their attention on the Quarterback competition. Taking for granted once again the teams star player. Always having the team in mind, Ian new focus led to him being involved in several key special teams play this year. He continued to develop his receiving skills as the label of “stone hands” may begin to finally fade away. Ian also provided countless key blocks in the passing game allowing Kellen Moore just a few more seconds to make a play.
Now some began wondering if Ian still had it in him to be the runner he once was. As the season headed to close Ian put those doubts to rest as he broke a long touchdown run against Nevada showing the nation that the Ian of old is certainly still around. As the regular season came to a close against Fresno State on the Blue in front of a national ESPN audience Ian ripped off a 69 yard run that reminded all of us all of those runs from the Oregon State game in 2006. Then as the quarter changed Ian wasted little time securing second place in the WAC with 56 career touchdowns, one behind WAC’s all time leader, Marshall Faulk. What seemed like a few moments later Ian tied the WAC record with 57 career rushing touchdowns. With a showdown with the TCU Hornfrogs on December 23rd in the Poinsettia Bowl he will almost certainly hold that record by himself.
As a fan I have admired Ian Johnson’s greatest quality, his drive to win. You see as this season comes to a close Ian has 738 yards and 12 touchdowns. Those statistics are not what Bronco Nation has come accustomed to seeing out of number 41. However, just like in 2006 when Ian put the Broncos on his back led them to victory, Ian again has shown great leadership by providing the team what it needs to be successful and to win. There is no doubt Ian Johnson is once in a lifetime special player and is arguably considered the best in Boise State history. Ian I am grateful for the privilege to see play football for the team I love, you will be missed. It is safe to say the 2009 season will not be the same without Bronco Nation’s Favorite Son on the Blue.
Bloggers’ Legitimacy Takes One on the Chin
Dec 6th
Since I started blogging and podcasting about Boise State three years ago, I have had a goal of being on equal footing with the local media. I have sent several emails to Boise State Athletics requesting media credentials and have been sent back denials in return. After Friday’s events, it seems that the likelihood of achieving that goal has taken a giant leap backwards.
At the end of the day what separates myself and fellow bloggers (Drew, Buck & Kevan) from established media, is legitimacy. I strive to provide content that differentiates this site from the rest, I do so without any approval from Boise State. I do however strive to meet a standard that in the end makes this site as legitimate as the local media. I concede the fact, I have zero background in journalism and may not have the best sentence structure. I do however have a passion for Boise State, podcast ninja skills, and couple of bucks to purchase a domain name and hosting. At the same time it doesn’t mean I will ever go off the deep end and conjure up rumors as one Sparty and Friends did this past Friday.
You see Sparty any credibility you may have had was just thrown out the window. Additionally, you made bloggers like myself look bad and leave us extremely frustrated in the process. To make matters worse, you offer the likes of Brian Murphy plenty of pooh to fling at bloggers. Even KTIK’s Jeff Caves and Mike Prater were able to take shots at bloggers on Idaho Sports Talk.
So why did Sparty light the Internet a buzz? It boiled down to publicity. Yes I know it is hard to believe, but its true. Everyone wants to be the first to report the story, so they can claim the title of the one who broke it. If that means reporting a story with little confirmation, then so be it. Schools like Boise State have little to zero control over bloggers and message boards. They do however, have the ability to manage the local media. In the same breath, Chad Cripe, like other beat writers, he has his newspaper’s reputation to uphold. Reporting a story that hasn’t met a set of standards would leave newspapers like the Idaho Statesman in a bad spot, a spot I myself wish to avoid.
As I continue to build this site’s legitimacy, I promise never to take the road traveled by bloggers like Sparty and Friends. Though from time to time I receive tidbits that I could quite easily write about, typically as a rule of thumb they are kept under lock and key until other outlets report them. As Bronco Nation N.O.W continues to grow, I take solace in knowing I have done things right, to the best of my ability, and with enjoyment.
Bronco Nation Fan in Training
Dec 4th
As the guys and I take a much needed break this week I thought I would pass this along. Rick Speicher submitted an email attached with this picture of his granddaughter Ella cheering on the Broncos during the Nevada Game. I appreciate the photo Rick and encourage any Bronco Nation Fan to submit them at questions@bronconationnow.com. Catch us next week as we recap the regular season and the Broncos bowl destination.
