Spencer Danielson was quick to praise the players and defensive coaches this week for the dominant effort against Wyoming in last week’s 32-7 win.
He was even quicker to say there’s still plenty more the Broncos need to improve at. And fast.
After easily their best game of the season – and one of the most impressive statistical efforts at Boise State in a long time – the defense will face a tougher challenge on the road at Fresno State against one of the better passing attacks in the country.
The Broncos finally put together a four-quarter effort against Wyoming. Now they hope to back it up with another strong game Saturday.
“That would be huge for us,” senior captain and linebacker D.J. Schramm said. “That was the first time we’ve played a complete game as a defense, so the challenge this week is to go do it again.
“We built a lot of confidence on defense last week and we have to carry that over. But you can’t get complacent. You have to keep attacking and preparing like we did, if not better than we did last week.”
Boise State entered the game as one of the worst statistical defenses in the country. They were outside of the top 100 in points allowed, yards allowed, passing yards allowed – you could pretty much pick a stat, and you’d have to scroll way down the list to find the Broncos.
Ahead of the Wyoming game the Broncos were on pace to finish as the second-worst defense in Boise State history in yards allowed, trailing only the 1996 team that made its debut at the FCS level.
It was a different story against the Cowboys – and right from the start. Wyoming finished with just 112 total yards, 24 on the ground and 84 through the air. Wyoming had 24 rushing yards on 27 attempts, and didn’t surpass 10 rushing yards for the game until the final drive.
Wyoming was 1-for-11 on third down and the Broncos came away with seven tackles-for-loss and two sacks.
Boise State put more pressure on the quarterback than they had most of the season. They tackled better than they have been. They covered better in on the back end. It all finally came together – and the results were impressive.
“So proud of our guys to put a full game together,” Danielson said. “We’ve put halves together, we’ve put quarters together, but having our guys be able to go out there and do what they did for a full game, I’m just really proud of the guys and the work they put in, the staff…getting things fixed from the bye week.
“I’m proud of how our guys were able to play a complete game on Saturday because we’ve shown glimmers, but now it’s can we consistently do that?”
Boise State’s defensive numbers have steadily improved as the season has progressed. The Broncos shut out San Jose State in the second half on Oct. 7, and then shut out Colorado State in the first half the following week at Colorado State. The problem was putting two good halves together – until last Saturday.
As Jay Tust pointed out on Twitter recently, in the month of September the Broncos ranked 112th in scoring defense, 85th in yards allowed per game and 79th in rushing yards allowed per game. In three games in October? The Broncos were 46th in scoring defense, 31st in yards allowed and third in rushing yards allowed.
All three levels of Boise State’s defense have had a hand in the turnaround. It starts up front with the defensive line pressure, but the back end has covered better and limited the explosive plays of late as well.
“Hats off to our guys,” Danielson said. “That’s how it works together defensively.”
But things will get a lot tougher this week against a Fresno State offense that ranks second in the Mountain West in passing offense. The Bulldogs are 7-1 on the season and tied with the Broncos at 3-1 in Mountain West play.
“They are really good and really explosive,” Schramm said of Fresno State’s offense. “The quarterback does a really good job of throwing into tight windows and they have a ton of playmakers, so the focus for us is just preparing and making sure we’re good with our tackling and pursuit.”
Playing on the road at Bulldog Stadium won’t be an easy task either. It’s one of the most hostile environments in the Mountain West and figures to be rocking with the rival Broncos coming to town.
There’s plenty on the line as the calendar turns to November. And the Broncos will need the defense to step up yet again.
“Still a lot to clean up,” Danielson said. “But proud of the guys for playing a complete game. Obviously a lot still to grow in, but proud of where we’re headed.
“You have to go 1-0 every week. It’s the only way to continue to give yourself a shot to play in that Championship game, so the biggest thing for our defense is we have to continue to prove it.”
