Boise State Football: Winners and Losers from the Week 1 Game vs. Michigan State

Week 1 of the college football season already seems like a very long time ago. However, for the Broncos, it is all they have to think about.

Because no game was on their schedule in Week 2, it forced the team into the unenviable position of having to continue to think about an opening-week loss to then-No.13 Michigan State.

It seems like it would have been better to have someone on the schedule, regardless of the Week 1 outcome, if for no other reason than to be able to develop a rhythm and fix early mistakes.

Still, Coach Petersen probably made the best of the off-week, and you know he will have his guys ready for the home opener in Week 3 against Miami (Ohio).

By now, the Michigan State game has been dissected, analyzed, broken down, scrutinized and reviewed so much that there is little left that needs to be said. In saying that, however, there are a few things that haven't yet been beaten to death. So, let's finish the job.

In Week 1, Boise State certainly didn't have the game they intended to have. But, it was not the debacle others might have predicted. It was a gritty, gutsy, tough game that nearly went Boise State's way.

Lessons were learned that night, and you have to believe many others have been gleaned from the experience and from the subsequent thorough inspection of the game tape.

The game produced a number of players who shined under the lights in East Lansing for the Broncos, but there were also those who lacked the luster.

Let's look at the list and determine who shined and who needs polish.

The Red Zone

One area that certainly needed polish was the red zone—not just the Boise State offense either. Three times the Spartans entered the red zone against the Broncos defense, and twice, they came away with touchdowns.

The Broncos offense also had three opportunities to shine when they were close but came away with only six points on two field goals. Not only that, junior quarterback Joe Southwick threw a costly interception down close.

Three trips inside the 20 saw Boise State with one turnover and two field goals. That won't cut it down the road, and if just one of those field goals is a touchdown, or Southwick doesn't get picked, the results of this game could have been different.

Red-zone play will need some polish if the Broncos want better results starting in Week 3.

The Running Game

The rushing attack of Boise State definitely lacked luster in East Lansing. However, you can't put the blame on just one person. D.J. Harper had nearly nothing to work with.

The way it looked from the outside peering in was that there were three areas that needed to be better for the Broncos to succeed, running the ball against the Spartans.

Offensive Line 

First, it all starts with the offensive line. They were being pushed back all night long, and the Michigan State defense controlled the line of scrimmage. Being fair, the Spartans defense is incredible, and anyone who thinks otherwise doesn't know football.

Still, it seems like the O-line of Boise State could have done a little more opening space for the running backs to make something happen.

Play-Calling 

The play-calling was another question. Many fans were excited to see what new offensive coordinator Robert Prince would bring to the table. However, for those same fans, it may have been a bit disappointing to see the Broncos go inside the tackles all night long when it was obvious to everyone that they weren't accomplishing anything.

However, there are so many things that go on during a game. There may have been something the coaching staff was trying to accomplish that the average person couldn't see. Most fans are willing to give the benefit of the doubt, but that usually doesn't continue if progress isn't made.

Other Contributors

The Broncos will need more players to contribute to the running game in the future. Harper cannot be asked to be the guy every game, all game.

Sometimes when the style of a running back isn't successful, another running back may have a better chance getting yardage. The contrast of styles can sometimes be a catalyst to moving the ball. That didn't happen against Michigan State.

The Broncos did try to do some of this with a pair of true freshman in Shane Williams-Rhodes and Jack Fields. However, the two only combined for four carries and a total of 12 yards. Let's face it, though, asking true freshman to do this isn't the best situation for them or the team.

One player who could have possibly made a difference is redshirt freshman Jay Ajayi. However, he was home because of disciplinary reasons.

He may be back for Miami (Ohio) during Week 3, and the Broncos could sure use his power running the ball. He may have made a difference had he been in East Lansing, but we will never know for sure.

Offensive Players Who Shined

There weren't that many bright spots on offense for Boise State against the Spartans. There were a couple of players who were a key factor in keeping the game close and putting Boise State in the position to even win the game.

Kirby Moore

It is strange seeing K. Moore in the stat sheet, and it's not as a quarterback. However, this K. Moore did have a passing attempt in the game. It was an incompletion.

That incomplete pass was probably the only thing that Kirby Moore didn't do right. On the night, he caught a total of six passes for 52 yards.

What made those six catches so special was that they came at key moments of the game, and most of them were for first downs.

Matt Miller

Matt had just two catches, but they were for 54 total yards. His longest was a 40-yard gain. Miller should have been more in the mix, but the Spartans were keying on him.

Offensive Players Who Lacked Luster

The offense struggled against Michigan State, and that is no secret. It was, no doubt, frustrating for fans, but it was probably more frustrating for the coaches and players of Boise State.

Look for the offense to have a huge improvement after having an extra week off to work on things. The players on this list will, no doubt, be looking to rebound.

Joe Southwick

It always starts with the quarterback. Junior Joe Southwick is the brand new leader of the Boise State offense in 2012. His first game was probably not what he wanted, but it could have been much worse.

Anyone who remembers the performance Jared Zabransky had in Georgia back in 2005 knows that Southwick's night wasn't all that bad, considering.

Still, 15 completions in 31 attempts for only 169 yards with one interception and no touchdowns has got to be far from the kind of performance Southwick expects from himself.

He lacked luster in Week 1 but don't be surprised if Southwick shines brightly the rest of the season.

D.J. Harper

Harper will rebound. If you know his history, you know it is impossible to keep him down. He is the same guy who came back from not one, but two, season-ending knee injuries. It doesn't seem to be in his DNA to just quit.

You have to believe his less-than-stellar performance running the ball against the Spartans will be the motivation that propels his redemption all season long.

The Offensive Line

The offensive line for the Broncos is a veteran bunch with lots of talent. You have to believe the criticism they got after this game and the disappointment they probably have of themselves will bring many troubles for opposing defenses the rest of the season.

The O-line did a decent job protecting Southwick against a powerful Michigan State rush, but run blocking was very ineffective. Look for that to be fixed and look for them to shine as the year progresses.

Defensive Players Who Shined

The defense looked great in some areas, but not so great in others. However, there were some shining performances for the Broncos in East Lansing.

Jeremy Ioane

Redshirt sophomore Jeremy Ioane played a good game against the Spartans. After being hurdled early on by Le'Veon Bell, Ioane rebounded nicely. His touchdown was the only one the Broncos had on the night. Ioane intercepted a pass and ran it back for 43 yards for a score.

He also added four tackles and played great defense nearly every play he was in the game.

Jamar Taylor 

Cornerback Jamar Taylor had an excellent interception against the Spartans that he returned for 26 yards before being taken down. He also had eight tackles with five of them being solo.

Lee Hightower

Sophomore safety Lee Hightower also had an interception on the night. He played strong all game and contributed six tackles as well.

Jerrell Gavins

Senior cornerback Jerrell Gavins didn't have an interception on the night, but he did have eight tackles—enough to get him on the list of players who shined.

Tommy Smith

Linebacker Tommy Smith was all over the field on Friday night in Michigan. He had a total of 12 tackles.

Demarcus Lawrence

Lawrence is a junior college transfer, and the Broncos are certainly glad to have him. On the night, he had nine tackles and hurried the quarterback twice.

Mike Atkinson 

The defensive line had a hard time slowing down Le'Veon Bell all night, but Atkinson was doing his part. The big senior had 10 tackles in the game.

Darian Thompson and Bryan Douglas 

Redshirt freshman Darian Thompson and redshirt sophomore Bryan Douglas did enough to make this list as well. Both of them played excellent in their backup roles in the Broncos' defensive secondary.

Thompson had six tackles on the night, but he also recovered a fumble and returned it 11 yards.

Douglas added five tackles of his own and forced the fumble that Thompson recovered.

Both of these players shined against the Spartans, and both appear to have a very bright future for the Broncos.

Defensive Players Who Lacked Luster

The Broncos had such a hard time slowing down Le'Veon Bell. It was the biggest reason the Broncos lost the game. There were a handful of players on defense getting it done, but there were also those who weren't. This list is the latter.

Darren Koontz

Koontz only had three tackles on the night, and all of those were assists. As a senior, Koontz is, no doubt, disappointed in his performance. Look for him to step it up big time in coming weeks.

Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe

Tjong-A-Tjoe had six tackles on the night, but all were assists. He is a player whom Bronco fans can expect great things from but didn't see that against Michigan State. He, like Koontz, will step up as the year progresses. In fact, look for both of them to shine brightly against Miami (Ohio).

Greg Grimes

With just one solo tackle and four assists, Grimes could have done more.

J.C. Percy

Linebacker J.C. Percy had seven tackles and one quarterback hurry. When you say it that way, it doesn't sound too bad. However, Percy should be one of the best players on the Bronco defense and a leader. He can do more, and he must do more as the season continues.

Special Teams Players Who Shined

The special teams of Boise State didn't have an excellent night, but they did have a good night against Michigan State. The kicking game looked much improved, and it's those kickers who headline this list.

Trevor Harman

Redshirt junior Trevor Harman did a good job punting the ball. He had five punts with an average of 40.6 yards per kick. He was key in the field position game, and his longest punt was a crucial 56-yarder.

Harman also added two solo tackles on the night.

Mike Frisina

Senior Michael Frisina had a good night kicking as well. He made the Broncos' only extra-point try and two field goals. He was the team's leading scorer on the night which isn't necessarily a good thing.

D.J. Harper

Harper didn't have the greatest night rushing the ball, but he did do fairly well returning it. He had three kick-off returns on the night for a total of 71 yards. His longest was a 27-yard return.

Overall Performance

Any time a team loses a game, there is always more scrutiny. The Broncos loss to Michigan State is no different. However, Bronco fans don't have to panic.

The Broncos just played a very good Michigan State team. If you saw the Spartans in Week 2 against Central Michigan you know that they are no fluke.

The Spartans were up 41-0 before Central Michigan made anything happen, and that was really a result of backups playing for Michigan State in the last two minutes of the game.

The Spartans looked good in their domination of the Chippewas 41-7. Look for them to continue that kind of domination in Week 3 against Notre Dame.

Meanwhile, look for the Broncos to light it up in Week 3 as well. They proved against Michigan State that they are going to be much better than some might think in 2012.

Coach Petersen loves to fly under the radar, and after a Week 1 loss and a Week 2 bye, he is getting his wish. The Broncos have fallen out of the polls and out of the headlines.

This is exactly where Coach Pete wants to be.

Watch as Boise State climbs back into the mix. They should dominate Miami (Ohio) and then face a BYU team on the following Thursday that is now part of the top 25 themselves.

The Cougars will be coming off an emotional in-state battle against Utah, and the Broncos will be ready for them.

Even if the Broncos lost some of their luster in East Lansing, you can expect them to get it back quickly and to shine brightly as the season rolls on.