Thursday, May 19, 2011

Summer--A Good Time To Catch Up On Some Reading

Namely, the tabs at the top of the blog, which you can access any time.  I have organized the articles into groups.  Blog Highlights contain some of the best and most important articles from the date I started--January 1.  As I mentioned earlier, the FB Statistics and FB Starting Lineups are very near complete back to the early 70's.  I continue to work on the FB Records section to complete that as well as to expand it.  My goal is to get all three sections complete by the start of the football season if not before. 

With the school year drawing to a close and the sports season nearly over (the NCAA Track and Field Championships are coming up), there won't be lots of the usual academic and athletic news during the summer.  I will keep you updated on new Boise State football recruits and will also generate my own research containing tidbits of information about Boise State and how they compare to other schools across the nation as I always do.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Boise State Has Their Receiver

In my blog earlier in the week I predicted that with highly sought-after quarterback Nick Patti committing to Boise State, a receiver would soon commit as well.  Who wouldn't want to be at Boise State with a quarterback like that and a coach like Chris Petersen, right?


That's exactly what happened.  Shane Rhodes from Klein Collins High School in Houston, Texas committed to Boise State last night according to multiple sources.   For those other receivers on my short list, they were beaten to the best spot in college football.  "Perfect fit for me offensively and the coaching staff there is wonderful,” Rhodes told the Houston Examiner.  Rhodes sees what we all do.

Rhodes lines up at both receiver and running back to take advantage of his ability.  He is also a tremendous punt returner and is a huge get for Boise State.  Out of nine times he touched the ball, Rhodes scored six touchdowns in a 52-16 victory over Westfield High School in Houston last year.  Rhodes had 202 yards receiving on four catches and rushed for 105 yards on five carries.  All he did for a follow-up was score five touchdowns on 10 touches in the final game of the season against Spring High School. 

The Klein Collins Tigers defeated Conroe 37-22 in the opening round of the Texas State 5-A playoffs.  Rhodes picked up 71 yards on the ground in 14 carries and caught a 23-yard touchdown pass to help his team in that game.  The Tigers were upset by Austin Bowie to end their season at 11-1.  In two seasons, Rhodes and the Tigers are 24-2.    


Now Petersen and his staff could be choosing two or three wide receivers in the class, but the availability just got cut in half and those other wide receivers now know they'd better jump or get left behind.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Nominees for Bronco Coach of the Year

Consider the following nominees, then vote for your choice as Bronco Coach of the Year on the Blue Turf board on Broncocountry.com


Tina Bird and Neil Resnick, gymnastics--Bird and Resnick led Boise State to the WAC Championship, a #12 ranking and a third-place finish at the NCAA Regional Gymnastics Championship.  Boise State was 25/1000th's of a point away from beating #1 Florida and advancing to their first National Championship as a team.  Two Broncos, Becky Gher and Amy Glass qualified for the NCAA National Championships individually and Glass recorded the second-highest finish ever for a Bronco, 19th in the all-around competition.  Along the way, Glass achieved the highest scores ever by a Bronco in the national meet on both the floor and on vault.


Kristin Hill, swimming and diving--Hill's Broncos amassed 835 points at the WAC Championships, the ninth-highest total in league history.  Boise State's margin of victory (258 points) also set a record.  Boise State received the first votes in school history for the Top 25 this past season.  Two of Boise State's swimmers (Amber Boucher and Stephanie North) became the first representatives in school history at the NCAA National Swimming & Diving Championships, and Boucher scored the first points in school history.


Chris Petersen, football--Petersen led Boise State to a #2 ranking at one point in the year and compiled a 11-0 record before a loss to Nevada on the final weekend of the regular season.  Boise State then blitzed Utah 26-6 in the Las Vegas Bowl.  Three of Petersen's players (Titus Young, Austin Pettis and Brandyn Thompson) were drafted in the NFL Draft with Young going in the second round and Pettis in the third.  Additionally, Petersen's quarterback, Kellen Moore, became the first Heisman Trophy finalist in school history.  Academically, Boise State placed 12th in the nation.


Greg Randall, wrestling--Randall led his team to the Pac-10 Championship and a national ranking as high as #2.  The Broncos finished ninth at the NCAA Wrestling Championships with Andrew Hochstrasser finishing second in his weight class, Jason Chamberlain finishing third and Adam Hall fifth.  Four Broncos (Alan Bartelli, Michael Cuthbertson, Hall & Josh Strait) were named to the All-Pac-10 Academic team.


Leon Rice, basketball--All Rice did was come in to Boise and, in his first year, lead Boise State to a 24-13 record and second-place finish in the WAC.  Boise State advanced to the WAC Championship game against nationally-ranked Utah State before bowing out.  Rice's Broncos were one of the final collegiate teams playing as Boise State defeated Austin Peay and Evansville in the CBI Tournament before losing in the CBI semifinals at Oregon.  Rice was responsible for Boise State recording the seventh-biggest increase in attendance in the nation.


Erin Thorpe, softball--In the third year of the program, Thorpe led Boise State to a 33-19 record, including a sweep of nationally-ranked Fresno State at the end of the season.  The Broncos finished tied with Fresno State for second in the WAC and then finished third in the WAC Tournament.  Three Broncos--right fielder Devon Bridges and pitchers Allie Crump and Aubray Zell were named All-WAC.

Nine Broncos Qualify for NCAA Regional Track Championships

Last week, I told you that eight Broncos were in line for the NCAA Western Regional Track Championships in Austin.  That has now been confirmed by the NCAA today along with more good news--Racquel Jones also qualifies for those Championships coming up May 27-28.

Alex Nelson, ranked #11 in the nation, and Trevor Kraychir (#21) will compete in the hammer throw.  Sawyer Bosch, #12 in the steeplechase. Eetu Viitala, #16 in the long jump, Pontus Thomee (#21 in the javelin), Alex Cartwright (#40 in the javelin), Chase Sexton (#29 in the shot put) and 400-meter hurlde man Rolando Trammel (#40) will represent the Bronco men while Jones qualified in the women's long jump.

From there, these student-athletes will need to finish in the top 12 to qualify for Nationals.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Filling in the Holes

I'm still working on patching a couple of years together in the statistics that are tough to obtain (media guide was incomplete), but Boise State's Football Statistics are essentially complete back to 1976.  The Boise State FB Starting Lineups are near complete back to 1973.

SFL (Simulation Football League) Statistics

One "week" of games have been played and here are the leaders in the simulation league:


Double Click to select a Photo

Ian Johnson leads in rushing after Week One


Rushing:
1.    Ian Johnson, 2006 Boise State (34-219)
2.    Clinton Portis, 2001 Miami FL (31-194)
3.    Doug Martin, 2010  Boise State (20-172)
4.    Jeremy Avery, 2009 Boise State (21-155)
5.    Justin Vincent, 2003 LSU (18-124)5
6.    Jeffery Demps, 2008 Florida (8-111)
7.    Lee Marks, 2004 Boise State (21-102)
8.    Maurice Clarett, 2002 Ohio State (24-89)
9.    Alley Broussard, 2003 LSU (12-81)
10.  Jacob Hester, 2007 LSU (25-80)





                               Moore torched the 2002 Broncos in Week One action


Passing:
1.    Kellen Moore, 2009 Boise State 27-37 for 395 yards and 6 TD's vs. 1 INT
2.    Taylor Tharp, 2007 Boise State 28-48 for 354 yards and 2 TD's vs. 1 INT
3.    Matt Leinart, 2004 USC 23-37 for 316 yards and 1 TD
4.    Ken Dorsey, 2001 Miami FL 23-44 for 308 and 1 TD
5.    Kellen Moore, 2008 Boise State 25-40 for 290 yards and 2 TD's vs. 2 INT
6.    Matt Flynn, 2007 LSU 22-32 for 285 yards and 2 TD's
7.    Ryan Dinwiddie, 2002 Boise State 22-36 for 270 yards and 2 TD's vs. 1 INT
8.    Ryan Dinwiddie, 2003 Boise State 18-36 for 270 yards and 1 TD vs. 3 INT
9.    Kellen Moore, 2010 Boise State 20-30 for 260 yards and 2 TD's vs. 1 INT
10.  Jared Zabransky, 2006 Boise State 18-26 for 247 yards and 3 TD's
10.  Matt Mauck, 2003 LSU 22-33 for 247 yards and 1 INT



Receiving:
1.    Jeremy Childs, 2007 Boise State (7-98)
2.    Michael Clayton, 2003 LSU (7-65)
3.    Early Doucet, 2007 LSU (6-73)
4.    Jeremy Childs, 2008 Boise State (6-70)
5.    Billy Wingfield, 2002 Boise State (5-121 and 1 TD)
6.    Austin Pettis, 2009 Boise State (5-78)
7.    Titus Young, 2010 Boise State (5-74)
8.    Ethenic Sands, 2001 Miami FL (5-72)
9.    Michael Jenkins, 2002 Ohio State (5-59)
10.  Dominique Byrd, 2004 USC (5-42)

Interceptions:
1.  Matt Grootegoed, 2004 USC (2)
1.  Kyle Wilson, 2008 Boise State (2)

Sacks:
1.  Erick Jackson, 2005 Texas (2)

Field Goals:
1.  Todd Sievers, 2001 Miami FL (5)
2.  Tyler Jones, 2004 Boise State (4)
3.  Kyle Brotzman, 2008 Boise State (3)
3.  Colt David, 2007 LSU (3)
3.  Mike Nugent, 2002 Ohio State (3)

Simulation Fooball League Scores

2006 Boise State 41, 2005 Boise State 14
2004 Boise State 39, 2003 Boise State 7
2008 Boise State 30,  2007 Boise State 21
2009 Boise State 55, 2002 Boise State 23
2010 Boise State 48, 2001 Boise State 19
2008 Florida 28, 2003 LSU 23
2004 USC 27, 2009 Alabama 0
2001 Miami FL 36, 2010 Auburn 10
2007 LSU 23, 2002 Ohio State 15
2005 Texas 38, 2006 Florida 17

Simulation Schedule

Bronco Division:
2001 vs. 2010
2002 vs. 2009
2007 vs. 2008
2004 vs. 2003
2005 vs. 2006


BCS Champion Division:

2005 Texas vs. 2006 Florida
2002 Ohio State vs. 2007 LSU
2001 Miami vs. 2010 Auburn
2004 USC vs. 2009 Alabama
2003 LSU vs. 2008 Florida

Saturday, May 14, 2011

BFL Starts Monday

Just for fun, I found a simulation that will allow teams to play each other in college football.  The neat thing is that you can have different teams from the same college compete to see which truly is the best team.  The bad part is that the simulation only goes back to 2001.  In any case, I will run a simulated "league" this summer consisting of two divisions:  The Boise State Division, and the All Stars Division.  The former will include all 10 Boise State football teams from 2001-2010, who will play a "season".  The All Stars Division will include some of the top college football teams of the last 10 years and they too will play a season.

The schedule will include 9 games against the other teams in your division and 3 games chosen at random against the teams from the other division.  At the conclusion of the year, I will then match the winners of the two divisions in the Bronco Football League Championship.  The simulation comes complete with stats and everything--should be fun!

New Mexico State Wins WAC Softball Championship

Congratulations to the New Mexico State Lady Aggies, who got hot midway through the season and blitzed the rest of the conference down the stretch.  New Mexico State is the WAC Champion after a 5-0 win today in Fresno, California over Fresno State.

Way to go New Mexico State and best of luck in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

FIve Broncos Currently Qualify for NCAA Western Regional Track Championships

By virtue of their performance this season, five members of the Boise State track team are currently in line to compete in the NCAA Western Regional Track Championships.  We will have to wait until all the numbers are in from the final conference championships around the nation to see if all five make it.  The top 48 in each event qualify.  It would be nice for Boise State to score some points at the NCAA National Championships and try to get into the Top 50 in the Learfield Cup Standings.  Currently, the Broncos are #61.  Here is where those five Bronco student-athletes currently rank:

3000-Meter Steeplechase:
Sawyer Bosch #21

Long Jump:
Eetu Viitala #31

Hammer:
Alex Nelson #18
Trevor Kraychir #35

Javelin:
Pontus Thomee #38

Current WAC Commissioner's Cup Standings

Of course, the breaking news last night was that Boise State had clinched their second straight WAC Commissioner's Cup.  For the record, though, here are the current standings.


1.  Boise State 94.50
2.  Utah State 80.00
3.  Fresno State 79.25 (3.50-4.00) depending on softball championship + baseball
4.  New Mexico State 76.50 (+ 3.50-4.00) depending on softball championship + baseball
5.  Idaho 61.50
6.  Nevada 60.25 + baseball
7.  Louisiana Tech  54.50 + baseball
8.  Hawai'i 51.50 + baseball
8.  San Jose State 50.00 + baseball
 

Boise State 2nd in Nation Vs. Elite Teams in Last Five Years

In April, I ran the story and table of the most successful college football teams over the last five years against elite teams (teams that finished the year in the Top 15).  Boise State ranked 2nd in the country in that list.  You can catch up on that story here or at any time by clicking on the Blog Highlights tab at the top of the blog page.  Or, simply type in "Elite Teams" in the search bar at the top left of the blog page.

The Boise State Starting Football Lineup in 1990

I began working on putting together the all-time starting football lineups in February.  As you can imagine, it is a considerable amount of work and I want to get it right for all-time's sake.  I try to list every player that started at least six games in a given year.  The list is nearly complete back to 1974.  You can access the 1990 Starting Lineup or any past Bronco football lineup at this link or at any time by clicking on the Tab on the top of the blog page.

The 1990 Boise State Broncos reached the semifinals of the 1990 Division I-A football playoffs.  Here was the starting lineup from that year:

QB:  #13 Mike Virden (Sr.) 
TB:  #20 Chris Thomas (Jr.)
FB:  #11 David Tingstad (So.)
SE:  #1 Winky White (Sr.)
FL:  #85 Terry Heffner (Sr.)
TE:  #99 Ryan Teel Jr.)/#88 Larry Stayner (Jr.)
LT:  #78 Dave Koch (Jr.)
LG:  #73 Dave Giacomazzo (Jr.)
C:  #59 Jack Porter 
RG:  #79 Carl Ramos 
RT:  #66 Lee Duncan (So.)

DE:  #46 Erik Helgeson (Sr.)
DT:  #97 Shawn Anderson (Jr.)
NT:  #98 Anthony Hernandez (Sr.)
DE:  #91 Todd Gilkey (Jr.)
OLB:  #58 Tim O'Connor (Sr.)
MLB:  #44 Scott Russell (Sr.)
OLB:  #7 Kenny Kuehl (Sr.)
CB:  #27 Elijah George (Sr.)
CB:  #3 Frank Robinson (Jr.)
FS:  #16 Rod Johnson (Sr.)
SS:  #40 Tim Langhans Sr.)/Anthony Brown (Jr.)

P:  #2 Mike Black (Jr.)
PK:  #2 Mike Black (Jr.)
PR:  #3 Frank Robinson (Jr.)
PR:  #1 Winky White (Sr.)

Head Coach:  Skip Hall
Offensive Coordinator:  John Gough
Defensive Coordinator:  Jim Flemming
Quarterbacks/Receivers/Kickers Coach:  Jim Zorn
Defensive Line Coach:  Steve Buratto
Linebackers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator:  Scott Pelluer
Secondary Coach:  Chris Culig
Running Backs Coach:  Jay Mills
Strength and Conditioning Coach:  Ron Thomson
Offensive Line Assistant:  Heath McInerney
Defensive Line Assistant:  Pete Kwiatkowski
Quarterback and Receivers Assistant:  Vince Alcalde
Offensive Assistant:  Michael Lopez

From the Boise State Football Records Section:

Boise State has had a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver four times in history, as contained in the FB Records Section.  You can access the records section at any time by clicking on the tab at the top of the blog.


A 3,000-Yard Passer, a 1,000-Yard Rusher & a 1,000-Yard Receiver:
2003--Ryan Dinwiddie (4,356), David Mikell (1,142) & Tim Gilligan (1,192)
2007--Taylor Tharp (3,340), Ian Johnson (1,041) & Jeremy Childs (1,045)
2009--Kellen Moore (3,536), Jeremy Avery (1,151) & Titus Young (1,041)
2010--Kellen Moore (3,845), Doug Martin (1,260) & Titus Young (1,215)

Boise State 2nd in 1600 Relay

By my count, Utah State is the champion once again with 180 to 169.33


Event 38  Men 4x400 Meter Relay
=======================================================================
All Time WAC: * 3:02.28  1994        U T E P, UTEP                     
Championship: ! 3:05.68  1998        Tcu, UNM                          
    School                                               Finals  Points
=======================================================================
Finals                                                                 
  1 Louisiana Tech                                      3:10.94   10   
     1) Goree, Josh SO                  2) Hadnot, Trey FR             
     3) Terry, Justin SR                4) Stewart, Kevin SR           
  2 Boise State                                         3:12.66    8   
     1) Butler, Karrie FR               2) Trammel, Rolando SO         
     3) Daw, Jeff FR                    4) Wesson, Manoah JR           
  3 Utah State                                          3:15.30    6   
     1) Lewis, Armahd SR                2) Allred, James SR            
     3) Holt, Jason SR                  4) Hunt, Tanner SO             
  4 Fresno State                                        3:15.44    4   
     1) Walker, Jordan SO               2) Young, Kendrick SR          
     3) Jamieson, John FR               4) Blair, Remington JR         
  5 Idaho                                               3:18.64    2   
     1) Meinburg, Spencer JR            2) Dalton, Josh SR             
     3) Carpenter, Mike SR              4) Bloom, Andrew FR            

Howard 2nd, Pierre 4th in 5,000

I think the Broncos are going to be just a little short, but a great meet for Boise State



Clarence TC Ching Track Complex, Honolulu, HI             
 
Event 40  Men 5000 Meter Run
=======================================================================
All Time WAC: * 13:12.20  1979        Suleiman Nyambui, UTEP           
Championship: ! 13:45.91  1983        Gidamis Shahanga, UTEP           
    Name                    Year School                  Finals  Points
=======================================================================
Finals                                                                 
  1 Britt, Barry              JR Idaho                 14:33.73   10   
  2 Howard, Jeff              SO Boise State           14:39.48    8   
  3 Howell, Daniel            SR Utah State            14:41.39    6   
  4 Pierre, Brian             JR Boise State           14:47.66    4   
  5 McKenna, Kyle             SO Utah State            14:47.68    2   
  6 Bosch, Sawyer             JR Boise State           14:48.55    1   
  7 McKenna, Brian            SR Utah State            15:02.87        
  8 Dube, Jeremiah            JR Idaho                 15:06.46        
  9 Vartanian, Daniel         SO Fresno State          15:07.20        
 10 Garcia, Erick             JR Fresno State          15:10.86        
 11 Atkinson, Steve           SR Utah State            15:11.72        
 12 Bolinder, Nick            JR Utah State            15:13.62        
 13 Nelson, Hunter            JR Utah State            15:21.15        
 14 Larson, Eric              JR Utah State            15:24.18        
 15 Schroeder, Allan          FR Boise State           15:24.88        
 16 Geiger, Markus            JR Idaho                 15:34.31        
 17 O'Donoghue McDonald, Dre  FR Boise State           15:38.07        
 18 Clements, Aaron           SR Utah State            15:38.62        
 19 Monroe, David             SR Louisiana Tech        15:39.03        
 20 Higgs, Kevin              SR Boise State           15:50.50        
 21 Slocum, Josh              JR Louisiana Tech        16:02.40        
 -- Battles, Eric             JR Fresno State               DNF        
 -- Bogdan, Brad              SR Boise State                DNF        
 -- Zwama, Paul               JR Fresno State               DNF        

Friday, May 13, 2011

If You Like Music....

Be sure to check out my other blog!


http://top5000-rocketman5000.blogspot.com/

WAC Track Championships--Current Standings

The Triple Jump has just been decided on the women's side--Louisiana Tech came away with the lion's share of the points.  Just the 5,000-meters and the 4 x 400-meter relay for both sexes remains.
Tech went to town in the triple jump, far better than expected, and it now appears they will win their seventh consecutive title.  Men's side still to close to call between Boise State and Utah State, but the Broncos would have to outdual the Aggies in the 5,000--


Men:
1.  Utah State 150
2.  Boise State 138
3.  Louisiana Tech 113
4.  Fresno State 83
5.  Idaho 71


Women:
1.  Louisiana Tech 142
2.  Utah State 117
3.  Nevada 115.5
4.  Fresno State 87
5.  New Mexico State 72
6.  Idaho 68
7.  Boise State 66
8.  Hawai'i 564.5

BREAKING--Boise State Has Clinched Commissioner's Cup

With Fresno State unable to finish higher than third in women's track and with the Boise State men clinching at least second in men's track, the Broncos have clinched the WAC Commissioner's Cup.


There are five events left in track but most of the team placings are pretty well decided, including the important information shown above.  As of the moment, Boise State has at least 90.75 Cup points and the most that Fresno State can get is 90.25 points with championships in softball and baseball.

This is the second consecutive year that Boise State has won the Cup, and the third time in the last six years.


Congratulations to Boise State, to Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier, the entire athletic department staff and especially to all the coaches and tremendous student-athletes for a job well done!