Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Murphy: In Hawaii, Boise State starts feeling good

By Brian Murphy

HONOLULU - In a tropical setting where it is difficult to not feel good, the No. 6 Boise State Broncos got precisely the type of feel-good performance they needed at Aloha Stadium on Saturday night.

Unlike previous games, which left plenty of room for dissection about the Broncos’ flaws and provided plenty of ammunition for those questioning the Broncos’ lofty ranking, Boise State’s 54-9 throttling of Hawaii ended with a distinctly different feel - at ease and with a smile.

“It’s a good win for the fans to see that we can put together a solid win where people aren’t stressing as much,” nickel Winston Venable said.

When the discussion inevitably turned to the Broncos’ chase for a Bowl Championship Series berth and whether the team needed this type of victory to impress the voters, quarterback Kellen Moore shot down the question.

“We just needed a big victory for ourselves, I think,” the sophomore Heisman Trophy candidate said. “We certainly feel like we haven’t played up to our potential in the last two weeks and we feel pretty good about that performance. We were able to get after them on both sides of the ball and we’re excited about that.”

The Broncos departed Aloha Stadium - and the island state of Hawaii - with their confidence renewed and their spirits high.

It was the kind of game the Broncos needed, a chance to empty the bench, test out the playbook and rest some regulars after a difficult five-game stretch that included road games in California, Ohio, Oklahoma and Hawaii.

Nearly every player on the trip made at least an appearance in the game and tailback Matt Kaiserman, in his first collegiate appearance, rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown.

The Broncos opened their vast playbook, a bit, using a fake punt and a wide receiver pass for a combined 56 yards.

And, with the notable exception of quarterback Kellen Moore, who finished the game because of a head injury to backup quarterback Mike Coughlin, the Broncos’ regulars sat out much of the second half.

It was a laugher on the field - and in the post-game press conference where the players, feeling good after such a lopsided win, let their guards down.

Safety Jeron Johnson said that he complained all week about the defensive game plan. Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox had him playing center field - “deep as the deepest” receiver was Wilcox’s mantra to Johnson - and Johnson worried he wasn’t going to be involved enough for his liking.

No need to worry. Johnson finished with just one tackle, but he had two interceptions, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.

Nickel Winston Venable joked about all the man coverage he found himself in, especially against Hawaii receiver Greg Salas.

“I’m not the typical DB type,” said Venable, who weighs an un-defensive back like 223. “We did more man coverage than I probably ever played in my life. Man coverage is not easy.”

Venable did just fine. He finished with six tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.

Kaiserman, who had not played in a game since ending his outstanding high school career at Skyview High in Nampa in 2006, was grateful to be back on the field after a grayshirt season, a redshirt season and a concussion that cost him the first half of this season.

Moore was joking with kicker/punter Kyle Brotzman, saying he could remain a part of the quarterbacks’ passing drills, where Moore and the other QBs try to throw passes into trash cans, thanks to Brotzman’s 28-yard completion on a fake punt.

Boise State left the island like many travelers do - feeling relaxed and refreshed.

“We’re real excited about the way we played, especially coming out here. It’s certainly a different environment than we’re used to. If you relax too much you get into the vacation-type atmosphere,” Moore said. “But I think we focused well.”

With six games remaining in their quest for a fourth undefeated regular season in six tries, the Broncos picked a good time for a pick-me-up.

Brian Murphy: 377-6444