Boise State vs. Southern Miss: Broncos Win Doesn't Prove Offense Is Back

Boise State Broncos fans have been waiting for the program's offense of old to come back, but despite a scoring explosion against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, this year's version of the Broncos still doesn't measure up to the Kellen Moore version.

The Broncos put up a 40-spot on the Golden Eagles, 40-14, but they certainly didn't impress in the yardage department.

Joe Southwick threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns to only one pick. On the ground, the Broncos could only muster up 109 yards in total, 87 of which came from D.J. Harper and Jay Ajayi. Boise State's rushing attack averaged a measly 3.3 yards per carry.

Those numbers qualify as nothing special for the Broncos. On top of that, it was against the lowly, 0-5 Golden Eagles defense that is ranked No. 102 in the nation, allowing 34 points per game.

Boise State had a ton of help from the Golden Eagles as well after forcing Southern Miss to commit five turnovers in the game, one of which was an interception that set the Broncos up at the 11-yard line of the Golden Eagles.

A fumble late in the second quarter helped Boise State score a touchdown before the first half ended. It resulted in a 33-yard strike from the arm of Southwick that came with six seconds left and otherwise would have been impossible without the big defensive play.

At the least, the Broncos defense can be credited with two touchdowns in this game despite never getting into the end zone. Take away those two plays and this game is a lot closer.

There's no shame in taking advantage of great defense that shortens the field, but it's clear that the Broncos' lackluster effort on offense would have been much more prevalent had the defense not stepped up the way it did.

Offense isn't back just yet at Boise State, and this game certainly proved that.