Boise State #6 in Final College Football Coaches Poll

Coaches Poll
Rankings updated (01/10/2012)
Rank	Teams	Schedules/Results	Points	Prev
1	Alabama Overall: 12-1 Conference: 8-1 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/09 defeated LSU 21-0	1475	2
2	LSU Overall: 13-1 Conference: 9-1 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/09 lost to Alabama 0-21	1404	1
3	Oklahoma State Overall: 12-1 Conference: 8-1 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/02 defeated Stanford 41-38	1367	3
4	Oregon Overall: 12-2 Conference: 9-1 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/02 defeated Wisconsin 45-38	1290	5
5	Arkansas Overall: 11-2 Conference: 6-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/06 defeated Kansas State 29-16	1188	7
6	Boise State Overall: 12-1 Conference: 6-1 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	12/22 defeated Arizona State 56-24	1162	6
7	Stanford Overall: 11-2 Conference: 8-1 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/02 lost to Oklahoma State 38-41	1106	4
8	South Carolina Overall: 11-2 Conference: 6-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/02 defeated Nebraska 30-13	1084	9
9	Michigan Overall: 11-2 Conference: 6-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/03 defeated Virginia Tech 23-20	925	12
10	Michigan State Overall: 11-3 Conference: 7-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/02 defeated Georgia 33-30	912	13
11	Wisconsin Overall: 11-3 Conference: 7-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/02 lost to Oregon 38-45	911	8
12	Baylor Overall: 10-3 Conference: 6-3 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	12/29 defeated Washington 67-56	775	16
13	TCU Overall: 11-2 Conference: 7-0 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	12/21 defeated Louisiana Tech 31-24	710	15
14	Houston Overall: 13-1 Conference: 8-1 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/02 defeated Penn State 30-14	673	17
15	Oklahoma Overall: 10-3 Conference: 6-3 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	12/30 defeated Iowa 31-14	610	19
16	Kansas State Overall: 10-3 Conference: 7-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/06 lost to Arkansas 16-29	602	10
17	Virginia Tech Overall: 11-3 Conference: 7-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/03 lost to Michigan 20-23	574	11
18	West Virginia Overall: 10-3 Conference: 5-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/04 defeated Clemson 70-33	554	22
19	Southern Mississippi Overall: 12-2 Conference: 7-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	12/24 defeated Nevada 24-17	429	21
20	Georgia Overall: 10-4 Conference: 7-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/02 lost to Michigan State 30-33	345	18
21	Cincinnati Overall: 10-3 Conference: 5-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	12/31 defeated Vanderbilt 31-24	248	24
22	Clemson Overall: 10-4 Conference: 7-2 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/04 lost to West Virginia 33-70	237	14
23	Florida State Overall: 9-4 Conference: 5-3 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	12/29 defeated Notre Dame 18-14	205	25
24	Nebraska Overall: 9-4 Conference: 5-3 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	01/02 lost to South Carolina 13-30	144	20
25	Brigham Young Overall: 10-3 Conference: 0-0 Statistics | Schedule | Roster	12/30 defeated Tulsa 24-21	79	26
Others Receiving Votes: Northern Illinois (11-3) 36; Missouri (8-5) 33; Texas (8-5) 29; Auburn (8-5) 28; Rutgers (9-4) 11; Penn State (9-4) 10; Texas A&M (7-6) 5; Virginia (8-5) 4; Temple (9-4) 2; Washington (7-6) 2; Arkansas State (10-3) 1; La.-Lafayette (9-4) 1; Ohio (10-4) 1; Florida (7-6) 1; Mississippi State (7-6) 1; Notre Dame (8-5) 1

Boise State Facing New Mexico State on the Road

While the Big East will be a good move for the football team, the women's basketball team is showing that the move back to the WAC is just what the doctor ordered.  Looks like it will work out well for everyone.  The Broncos are trailing New Mexico State of the WAC 38-32 in the second half.

Bronco Wrestlers Get Off the Snide

The Boise State wrestling team can say they didn't get skunked this year. 

The Broncos finally won a match, downing Cal State-Bakersfield 27-12 on the road Friday night.

Freshman Scott Baker and sophomore Cody Dixon earned 4-2 and 10-4 wins, respectively, to lead their team to a 14-0 advantage and the Broncos advanced to 1-5 this season, 1-3 in the Pac-12. 

Brent Chriswell downed A.C. Brown 5-2 and heavyweight J.T. Felix snapped a four-match skid with a 17-1 technical fall over Steven Wood.  Ben DeMuelle scored a 10-8 decision and Steven Hernandez captured a 14-4 major to put Boise State up 21-9.  #16 George Ivanov pinned Anthony Box of Bakersfield to put up the final points for the Broncos.

Boise State will wrestle #19 Cal Poly Sunday afternoon.


Boise State 27, Cal State Bakersfield 12
 174: Scott Bacon (BSU) dec. Brady Garner (CSUB), 4-2
184: Cody Dixon (BSU) dec. Reuben Franklin (CSUB), 10-4
197: Brent Chriswell (BSU) dec. AC Brown (CSUB), 5-2
285: J.T. Felix (BSU) tech fall over Steven Wood (CSUB), 5:28 (17-1)
125: Miguel Comparan (CSUB) wins by forfeit
133: Frank Lomas (CSUB) dec. Shawn Jones (BSU), 7-0
141: Ben Demeulle (BSU) dec. Justin Durham (CSUB), 10-8 (OT)
149: Steve Hernandez (BSU) maj. Erik Martinez (CSUB), 14-4
157: No. 16 George Ivanov (BSU) fall Anthony Box (CSUB), 6:02
165: Adam Fierro (CSUB) dec. Michael Culberton (BSU), 10-4

Bronco Women Will Meet New Mexico State Tomorrow Night

Boise State has had its problems historically against New Mexico State.  So what better way to right the ship than to return to the scene of the crime to see if they can get it done against the always-tough Aggie women.  Tipoff is set for 6:30 tomorrow night.

Boise State Wrestling Squad On California Trip

Boise State's wrestling team is struggling, and it likely won't get any easier for the Bronco team.  Boise State faces Stanford tonight at 7:30 before taking on Cal State-Bakersfield Friday at 8 and Cal Poly Sunday at 2.

Boise State Agrees to New Contract with Coach Chris Petersen

Football coach Chris Petersen has agreed to a new multi-year contract with Boise State, a deal that has been approved by the Idaho State Board of Education.  Petersen's salary will be brought in line with the average for Automatic Qualifying Conference schools, which Boise State will be beginning in the fall of 2013.

Petersen will make $2 million per year beginning February 1 and the contract includes an extension through Jnuary 31, 2017.  Details of the contract including current salary, royalty payments, deferred compensation and retirement benefits will be finalized in the coming weeks and will be considered next month by the State Board.  There are also new incentive bonuses for academic and athletic achievements and the buyout was increased to $750,000.
 
                "Chris Petersen's success in sustaining excellence in football at Boise State has created a unique opportunity for the University to achieve national attention as a school equally dedicated to academic excellence," Boise State President Dr. Bob Kustra stated.  "This has created opportunities for Boise State, its faculty, staff and students that deserves to be recognized and rewarded.  Chris is a national role model for football coaches across the nation and it is my fondest hope that he will provide that leadership from Boise State for years to come."

Petersen leads the nation with the best winning percentage (92.4%, a 73-6 record) since he took over in 206.  This past season, Boise State was 12-1, finishing with the best four-year record (50-3) since 1900.  Boise State and Ohio State are tied for the most BCS Top 10 finishes (6) in the last eight years.

                "I feel honored and blessed that I will continue to lead this football team," Petersen commented.  "I appreciate the support of the administration and Bronco Nation, and I'm excited about the continued growth of this program."
                
For the second straight year the Bronco football team posted the No. 2 ranking in the annual academic BCS standings.  Boise State has the best Academic Performance Rate (APR) in the nation over the last two years.  The Bronco team posted a perfect score of 1,000 in 2008-09 and 997 in 2009-10.

              "President Kustra, Curt Apsey (interim AD) and I have worked closely during this transitional period and agree that this new agreement reinforces Boise State's commitment to Coach Petersen," said incoming Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. "The academic and athletic successes of the program under Coach Petersen's leadership are recognized nationally and we are excited that he will continue to lead our football student-athletes."

12,000 Empty Seats for Sugar Bowl Game

As expected, the first BCS Bowl ever to feature neither a Top 10 team nor a conference champion, faltered mightily where it matters the most--attendance and TV ratings.  According to attendance figures, the Sugar Bowl, in fact, was not one of the top four bowls as it is expected to be.  Four lower tier bowls have already surpassed it:

Chick-fil-a ................ 72,919
Meineke Car Care  ... 68,395
Champs Sports ........ 68,305
Alamo Bowl .............. 65,256
Sugar Bowl ...............64,512
Last night's matchup between Michigan and Virginia Tech drew less than both Boise State Fiesta Bowls (2007 and 2010), which attracted 70,000+ fans. 

The television ratings were a 6.3 share for the Sugar Bowl.  That's down 10% from last year.  Serves them right.

Score to Settle

Boise State will try to avenge its only swimming and diving loss in the last two years when they take on UCLA tomorrow at the Spieker Aquatics Center in Los Angeles. 

The Broncos fell to #23 UCLA last season 178-116 so they have some ground to make up.  The meet begins at 1 p.m. 

Saturday, Boise State will compete against UCLA, Rice, Tulane and host San Diego at the San Diego Relays. 

Boise State Tied with Ohio State for Most Finishes in BCS Top 10 in Last Eight Years

I can keep putting up statistics, but they all say the same thing.  Boise State is second to no one in the nation over the last several years.  The Broncos have been dominant through several quarterbacks and several personnel changes.  Eight years is a long time, and it pretty much says it all when Boise State is tied with Ohio State for the most finishes in the final BCS Top 10 with six each.


The Broncos finished #9 in 2004, #8 in 2006, #9 in 2008, #6 in 2009, #10 in 2010 and #7 in 2011.  Ohio State finished in the final Top 10 from 2005-2010.  Oklahoma and USC have five Top 10 finishes each while Auburn and Oregon have four each. 


So Boise State leading the nation in nearly every category over the last 8-10 years is no surprise.  The Bronco Senior Class of 2011 was the best since the Pennsylvania senior class of 1900; you have to go back 112 years to find a senior class with 50 wins.  What is a surprise is that those final BCS rankings weren't higher.   No team from an Automatic Qualifying Conference beat Boise State over the last four seasons.  They were oh-for-six against Boise State and likely would have been oh-for-nine had the BCS put AQ teams against Boise State in BCS Bowls in 2009, 2010 and 2011.  And surprising that preseason polls for next year actually have Boise State out of the Top 25.  A Bronco team has made the Top 25 every season since 1999.

Boise State Broke School Record Against Arizona State

Against a 1,000-yard rusher (Cameron Marshall), Boise State set a school record against Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl when they allowed a negative 11 yards rushing.  The previous mark was minus five against Northern Iowa in 1990.

Prospects for Bronco Seniors in NFL Draft

There's already discussion about the prospects for Boise State student-athletes in the upcoming National Football League Draft.  Some people think has many as seven Broncos will be chosen.  There's something important to keep in mind, though--these drafts never turn out as well as we hope or believe they should go.  I've looked at several "Mock Drafts" and here are some of the highlights:


CBS projects no Broncos will be chosen in the first round.  Now NFL Draft does not have any Broncos in either their first or second round, but they do project tackle Nate Potter as #83 (to Chicago) and defensive tackle Billy Winn #94 (Baltimore).  Walter Football has the highest projection for a Boise State star (#39) for Winn to Carolina and also projects Potter as the #88 pick by the New York Giants.  Draft Tek does not project a Bronco in the first two rounds either but this is the first I've found that goes through five rounds.  They project Winn (#77 to San Diego), Potter (#90 to Baltimore), defensive end Shea McClellin (#109 to Arizona--fourth round), quarterback Kellen Moore (#151 to Atlanta--fifth round) and safety George Iloka (#157 to San Francisco--also fifth round).


We'll continue to update you on what the "experts" think of Boise State's chances in the draft.

Women's Basketball Hosts Utah Valley State

A good way to ring out a very successful year for Boise State in a lot of ways--catch the women's basketball team in action in Taco Bell against Utah Valley State.  Tipoff is at 2:30 so plenty of time to catch the game and then be where you want to be for the rest of the night.

Tickets for Sugar Bowl

You'd have to think someone with the Sugar Bowl committee will be fired.  I posted an article a few weeks back that said tickets to the Sugar Bowl were going for under $30.  But that's what people were asking for the tickets.  What that doesn't tell is is what they actually sell for.

A recent check on E-Bay finds that three tickets on the 40-yard line for the game, with free shipping no less, were going for 6.50.  That's not six-hundred and fifty, but six dollars and fifty cents.  Bad thing is, somebody bought those tickets so the Sugar Bowl got their money.  There are tons of tickets for sale on E-Bay, but no one's buying!

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=sugar+bowl+michigan&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Betcha' the TV cameras won't show the crowd with all its empty seats.

Kellen Moore Breaks NCAA Career Record for Lowest Interception Percentage

Add a fourth NCAA record to Kellen Moore's resume.  


Moore held on to top Graham Harrell of Texas Tech for the lowest career interception percentage with a minimum of 1,050 attempts, according to the NCAA record book.  Moore finished his career with 1.6878%, just 28 career interceptions in 1,659 attempts.  That edges out Harrell, who threw just 34 interceptions in 2,010 attempts (1.6915%).


The record for fewer than 1,050 career attempts belongs to Billy Volek of Fresno State, who threw 12 from 1997-1999 out of 934 career attempts, or (1.3%).

Kellen Moore Breaks School Record for Career Passing Efficiency

It was close, but Kellen Moore has broken the school record for career passing efficiency, a mark many thought would stand for years, if not decades.


Moore finished his Boise State career with an efficiency rating of 168.87, beating the school mark of 168.79 held by Ryan Dinwiddie.

Moore Breaks School Record for Lowest Interception Percentage

Boise State's Kellen Moore finished his four-year career as a starter with just 28 career interceptions in 1,659 attempts, a percentage of just 1.69%.


That shatters the existing school record of 2.1% held by Ryan Dinwiddie, who played at Boise State from 2000-2003.

Kellen Moore Breaks School Record for Career Passing Percentage

With tonight's 26-34 passing performance against Arizona State in a 56-24 Boise State win, Kellen Moore has broken yet another school record.  This time, it's career passing efficiency, knocking off Taylor Tharp, who completed 67.9% of his passes.


Moore finishes his stellar career by completing 1,157 passes out of 1,659 attempts, a percentage of 69.74%.  He fell just shy of breaking the NCAA record of 70.4% held by Colt Brennan of Hawai'i.

Bronco Basketball Team Trails Iowa

51-48 midway through the second half.

Busy Thursday for Bronco Nation

The Boise State women will try to get back on the good side in a game vs. Utah State Thursday afternoon at 3:30 in Taco Bell Arena.  The Bronco football team challenges Arizona State at the Las Vegas Bowl with kickoff set for 6 p.m.  At 6:30, the Boise State basketball team faces a tough test on the road against the University of Iowa.  The young Boise State wrestling team is in Tempe, Arizona at the Sun Devil Duals in all-day action before coming back the next night to Boise to host one of the top teams in the nation--Oklahoma State.

Nate Potter of Boise State Named Consensus All-American

Boise State senior tackle Nate Potter became the second Bronco to earn Consensus All-America status, as the standout was named All-American by The Sporting News.

To earn consensus All-America honors, a student-athlete must be named to at least three of the NCAA’s five recognized teams: the American Football Coaches Association, the Associated Press, the Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.







Potter earned first-team honors from The Sporting News and the FWAA, while garnering second-team accolades from the AP and Walter Camp.

Moore Continues to be Ignored On All-America Lists

Boise State's Kellen Moore, likely one of the best college quarterbacks in history, continues to be shunned by the elite establishment.  Moore's name cannot be found below in what the Associated Press calls its All-America team.  Bronco tackle Nate Potter was chosen as a second-team selection while sturdy safety George Iloka was named on the third team.

FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback -- Robert Griffin III, junior, 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, Baylor.
Running backs -- Montee Ball, junior, 5-11, 210, Wisconsin; Trent Richardson, junior, 5-11, 224, Alabama.
Tackles -- Barrett Jones, senior, 6-5, 311, Alabama; Matt Kalil, junior, 6-7, 295, Southern California.
Guards -- David DeCastro, senior, 6-5, 310, Stanford; Kevin Zeitler, senior, 6-4, 318, Wisconsin.
Center -- David Molk, senior, 6-2, 286, Michigan.
Wide receivers -- Justin Blackmon, junior, 6-1, 215, Oklahoma State; Robert Woods, sophomore, 6-1, 180, Southern California.
Tight end -- Dwayne Allen, junior, 6-4, 255, Clemson.
All-purpose player -- Sammy Watkins, freshman, 6-1, 180, Clemson.
Kicker -- Randy Bullock, senior, 5-9, 212, Texas A&M.
DEFENSE
Ends -- Melvin Ingram, senior, 6-2, 276, South Carolina; Whitney Mercilus, junior, 6-4, 265, Illinois.
Tackles -- Devon Still, senior, 6-5, 310, Penn State; Jerel Worthy, junior, 6-3, 310, Michigan State.
Linebackers -- Luke Kuechly, junior, 6-3, 237, Boston College; Jarvis Jones, sophomore, 6-3, 241, Georgia; Dont'a Hightower, junior, 6-4, 260, Alabama.
Cornerbacks -- Morris Claiborne, junior, 6-0, 185, LSU; Tyrann Mathieu, sophomore, 5-9, 175, LSU.
Safeties -- Mark Barron, senior, 6-2, 218, Alabama; Bacarri Rambo, junior, 6-0, 218, Georgia.
Punter -- Brad Wing, freshman, 6-3, 184, LSU.
--------
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback -- Andrew Luck, junior, Stanford.
Running backs -- LaMichael James, junior, Oregon; David Wilson, junior, Virginia Tech.
Tackles -- Jonathan Martin, senior, Stanford; Nate Potter, senior, Boise State.
Guards --Will Blackwell, senior, LSU; Austin Pazstor, senior, Virginia.
Center -- Peter Konz, junior, Wisconsin.
Wide receivers -- Ryan Broyles, senior, Oklahoma; Kendall Wright, senior, Baylor.
Tight end -- Tyler Eifert, junior, Notre Dame.
All-purpose player -- Joe Adams, senior, Arkansas.
Kicker -- Caleb Sturgis, junior, Florida.
DEFENSE
Ends -- Frank Alexander, senior, Oklahoma; Vinny Curry, senior, Marshall.
Tackles -- Joe Vellano, junior, Maryland; Derek Wolfe, senior, Cincinnati.
Linebackers -- Courtney Upshaw, senior, Alabama; Lavonte David, senior, Nebraska; Manti Teo, junior, Notre Dame.
Cornerbacks -- David Amerson, sophomore, North Carolina State; Dre Kirkpatrick, junior, Alabama.
Safeties -- Markelle Martin, senior, Oklahoma State; Antonio Allen, senior, South Carolina.
Punter -- Ryan Allen, junior, Louisiana Tech.
------
THIRD TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback -- Matt Barkley, junior, Southern California.
Running backs -- Ronnie Hillman, sophomore, San Diego State; Bobby Rainey, senior, Western Kentucky.
Tackles -- Levy Adcock, senior, Oklahoma State; Cordy Glenn, senior, Georgia.
Guards -- Ryan Miller, senior, Colorado; Gabe Ikard, sophomore, Oklahoma.
Center -- Grant Garner, senior, Oklahoma State.
Wide receivers -- Jordan White, senior, Western Michigan; Patrick Edwards, senior, Houston.
Tight end -- Coby Fleener, senior, Stanford.
All-purpose player -- Tavon Austin, junior, West Virginia.
Kicker -- Quinn Sharp, junior, Oklahoma State.
DEFENSE
Ends -- Sam Montgomery, sophomore, LSU; Andre Branch, senior, Clemson.
Tackles -- John Simon, junior, Ohio State; Fletcher Cox, junior, Mississippi State.
Linebackers -- Tank Carder, senior, TCU; Sammy Brown, senior, Houston; Emmanuel Acho, senior, Texas.
Cornerbacks -- Nigel Malone, junior, Kansas State; Brodrick Brown, junior, Oklahoma State.
Safeties -- Josh Bush, senior, Wake Forest; George Iloka, senior, Boise State.
Punter-- Shawn Powell, senior, Florida State.
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Boise State Sports Schedule for This Week

Boise State's men's basketball team travels to Denver for a 4:30 p.m. game Saturday.  The women fly to Eastern Washington for a 3 p.m. game Saturday while the Bronco wrestling squad competes at the Reno Tournament of Champions on Sunday.

Vaisima Wins Mountain West Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Week

All-America Honors Continue to Roll In for Boise State

Boise State offensive tackle Nate Potter has been named First Team All-America by a third source, Yahoo Sports and quarterback Kellen Moore and receiver Matt Miller also garnered more honors.

Potter, who was also named an All-American by CBSSports.com and the Football Writers Association of America, was also chosen to the second team by SI.com.  Potter was also a second-team selection by the Walter Camp Foundation and last week was named to the Capital One Academic All-America team.

Moore, who was named as the nation's top quarterback for the second year in a row, was snubbed by SI.com, which only named him to its "Honorable Mention" list.  Moore set an all-time NCAA record for wins for a starting quarterback with 49.  He has completed a school record 300 passes out of 405 attempts for 3,507 yards and 41 touchdowns, another school record.  Moore is second in the history of college football with 140 career touchdown passes and is fifth in NCAA history with 14,374 career passing yards.  Yeah, he's "Honorable Mention" all right.

Miller set Boise State freshman records with 58 receptions for 647 yards and eight touchdowns.

All three join the Broncos in Las Vegas, Nevada next Thursday, December 22 to take on Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl.  Kickoff is 6:05 p.m. Mountain Time.

Saenz Inks Letter to Play Softball for Boise State

Rose Saenz, a Golden Glove winner who led her team to the National ASA Softball Tournament, has agreed to play for Boise State, according to Bronco head coach Erin Thorpe.

Saenz plays shortstop and third base for Kennedy High School in San Gabriel, California, where she is a team captain.  Saenz is a two-time all-conference player.  She also played for USA Athletics, batting over .400 each of the last three years.

Welcome aboard Rose!

Boise State Tennis Coach Greg Patton Leads United States to World Title

Boise State tennis coach Greg Patton led the United States to a world championship at the Master U BNP Paribas in Rouen, France, the second title for the U.S. in the last three years.

France stormed to a 3-1 win after singles but the Americans won all three doubles matches to claim the international crown.  Patton has coached the United States team in each of the last three years, with two world championships and a runner-up finish last year.

Micron Donation Helps Boise State Start Another Doctorate Program

The academic side of Boise State that has been growing by leaps and bounds got a further boost with a $13 million donation from the Micron Foundation that will enable the university to add a doctorate program in Material Sciences and Technology.  The gift is the largest in Boise State's history.

“We continue to be impressed with the trajectory of Boise State’s Materials Science and Engineering Department. Micron’s contribution to this program is a great investment in the future of our Company, community and the State of Idaho,” said Micron CEO Steve Appleton in a press release.

“A doctorate program focused on materials science and engineering will strengthen Boise State’s ability to develop breakthrough technologies and help create the associated broad-based economic and societal benefits.”

Students will be able to pursue the new degree beginning in January of 2013.

Thank you Micron!

Boise State's Titus Young with Another TD Reception for Detroit Lions

Former Bronco great Titus Young caught four passes for 87 yards today, including a 57-yarder for a touchdown that helped Detroit beat Minnesota 34-28.  Young now has 35 catches for 527 yards and three scores in his rookie season.  The Lions are 8-5 on the year.