It was so pretty. So easy. So lethal.
If opposing defensive coordinators don’t make it home for Sunday dinner on Boise State week, it is because they are watching this play, observing a defense play great in coverage, get pressure and still look on as Taylen Green walks into the end zone.
Green’s best moment during Saturday’s 42-18 win over North Dakota came midway through the first quarter with the game still scoreless.
Boise State was eight yards from the end zone when things broke down. North Dakota had every Bronco accounted for downfield. The Fighting Hawks had linemen darting towards Green. He went through his progressions before seeing space to his left. North Dakota didn’t have contain. Green took 13 steps and was over the goal line.
“He’s got the ability to extend pass plays with his legs,” Boise State head coach Andy Avalos said. “If the read isn’t there, if the guy isn’t open, changing it into a run play.”
Green, Boise State’s redshirt sophomore quarterback, played his best game of the season against North Dakota — which was not a towering bar to surpass. Against Washington, he threw a pair of picks and completed less than half his passes. Last week against UCF, he threw for under 150 yards and left in the third quarter with cramps.
On Saturday, Green looked more in control of the offense. He completed 62% of his passes (18-29) for 188 yards, a touchdown and an interception that wasn’t his fault (Riley Smith bobbled a pass over the middle that was picked off). But Green was far from perfect, missing on a couple throws and tossing a pair of balls that should’ve been picked.
“TG just trusts that sometimes he’s gonna have to stand in there and take a hit,” said wide receiver Eric McAlister. “He’s got that mindset now like, ‘Sometimes, I need to sit there and take a hit,’ or ‘Sometimes, I need to trust that I’m gonna have enough to sit there and throw the ball.”
Green’s best pass of the day went to McAlsiter, who finished the game with a team-high six catches for 143 yards. Early in the third quarter, with Boise State up just two scores, saw his 6-foot-4 Texas buddy being guarded one-on-one. Green dropped back, counted to two and unleashed a rainbow that McAlsiter caught in stride just as he crossed the end line.
“That was a nice throw to E-Mac,” said Avalos.
It was, but the most welcome sight for the Broncos came in the first quarter … when Green actually used his legs.
It is quite comical that last season, when Green burst on the scene, everyone wanted him to run less, to prove he could throw. Now, he is hurling the ball almost 30 times a game and fans are longing for the days when he would take off every other play.
During the Broncos’ first two games, Green was Thor without his hammer, Captain America without his shield, Superman without the flying. He possessed this other-worldly weapon and used it sparingly.
Heading into Saturday’s matinee, Green had run the ball 11 times for under 70 yards. Against North Dakota, he did not go crazy galloping around the field, but used his legs in great spots — taking off just four times but picking up 59 yards (not including a sack that cost him 12 yards).
That was progress. All throughout his football life, Green has wanted to execute the play call. If it’s a run play, he’ll run. But if the offensive coordinator calls a pass, Green will do everything in his power to fling the ball downfield — sometimes without realizing he has space to run.
“What I do love: He did a better job, when things weren’t there, pulling it down and running it, using his legs,” Avalos said. “He’s got to continue to do that. We don’t need him to try and be anything he’s not.”
Over time, Green will improve in his decision-making. It’s easy to forget he’s played for three offensive coordinators in the last year. Three! That’s three different guys with three different preferences who told him three different things. The rhythm, the consistency, the running will likely come with time.
At least on Saturday, Green looked comfortable.
“His legs are probably the best on the team,” McAlister said. “When the ball is in his hands and he’s running, he’s pretty good. He knows that and he showed it today.”
