Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Boise State notebook: Moore's pick six helps Bulldogs get back into the game

By BY CHADD CRIPE AND BRIAN MURPHY

RUSTON, La. - One bad decision nearly spoiled another outstanding day for Boise State sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore.

Moore threw his first pick six of the season in the third quarter Friday night - pumping life into a Louisiana Tech team that was on the verge of getting blown out. The No. 5 Broncos held on for a 45-35 victory at Joe Aillet Stadium.

The interception was his first in 137 passes and just his third of the year. Josh Victorian returned the pick 75 yards for a touchdown - running right through a Moore tackle attempt on his way - to close Louisiana Tech's deficit to 27-14.

Moore was trying to throw the ball out of bounds while under pressure up the middle from defensive tackle D'Anthony Smith. It was the fourth pick six of Moore's career.

"You're trying to throw across the field on your back foot," he said, "that's usually not something good."

Outside of the interception, it was a typical Moore performance. He completed 28-of-41 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns. He had five passes dropped and a sixth pass was incomplete because his receiver fell down.

Moore took over the national lead with a career-high 27 touchdown passes. He leads Case Keenum of Houston by two. He has thrown at least three touchdown passes in five straight games and seven of nine.

BROTZMAN MISSES FROM LEFT HASH TWICE

Kicker Kyle Brotzman made 3-of-5 field goal attempts, but both misses came from the left hash, his trouble spot for the last two seasons.

He made attempts from 29, 34 and 25 yards. The misses were from 44 and 31 yards. Brotzman is 15-of-21 on the season with all six of his misses from the left hash.

"Maybe go for it (on fourth down)," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said when asked how he would handle Brotzman's struggles.

BIG DAY FOR WILSON

Boise State senior cornerback Kyle Wilson racked up 83 punt-return yards and delivered his second interception in as many weeks.

Wilson's 59-yard punt return in the first half gave the Broncos the ball on the Louisiana Tech 3-yard line. They scored a touchdown two plays later.

Wilson, however, was beaten on a touchdown pass to tight end Dennis Morris, who has seven touchdowns this year. Wilson was all over Morris but he made the grab anyway.

QUICK HITS

Louisiana Tech became the second team to score in the first quarter and second team to lead the Broncos this season. Tulsa was the first in both categories. ... Boise State led 27-7 at halftime - the first time in five tries that the Broncos led a WAC game at Louisiana Tech. ... Louisiana Tech safety Antonio Baker, who has earned All-WAC first-team honors the past two years, left the game with a suspected broken leg. Running back Daniel Porter (concussion) and wide receiver Phillip Livas (turf toe) did play. Porter rushed for 92 yards. ... Louisiana Tech kicker Matt Nelson recovered a dribbled onside kick in the third quarter. ... Boise State set a school record with its 11th straight road win. ... Boise State tailback Doug Martin only had four carries but was healthy. ... Defensive end Shea McClellin left the field in street clothes and nickel Winston Venable limped off the field late in the game. ... Boise State won the coin toss and deferred. ... The Broncos' single-game captains were cornerback Jerrell Gavins and safety Jeron Johnson.