Oregon-Boise State: Ducks Land Final Blow, but Broncos Walk Away with the Win

Luckily for Boise State, the biggest blow Oregon star running back LeGarrette Blount dealt the Broncos didn't happen until minutes after the final desperate play of the game for the Ducks.

Sadly, the ridiculous act of stupidity that would have made Ron Artest proud will end up being the defining moment for the game that the Broncos dominated, both offensively and defensively.

Several things came to mind while watching the Broncos D dismantle Oregon's vaunted spread offense.

• The way the Broncos dominated Oregon on both sides of the ball reminded me of their Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma. Much like that game, Boise pushed Oregon around, especially in the first half.

• Anyone who thought that the offense would be the best 11 players on the field was clearly mistaken, and Boise appears headed toward another top 10 defensive ranking this season.

• Was it just me, or did it seem like every time an Oregon player found open space with the ball, four or five Broncos closed in on him to make the tackle? Furthermore, I can only think of about one or two missed tackles by the Broncos.

They were exceptional at making open field tackles, especially one-on-one plays, against a team that was supposed to be bigger and more physical.

• I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one waiting for Jeremy Avery or D.J. Harper to go down with an injury. Chris Petersen ran Avery like Eric Dickerson.

• While the Broncos were committed to running the ball up the gut and had plenty of success doing so, it seemed to me like they had the most success when Avery or Harper got to the corner and turned it up the sideline.

• If you would have told me that the Broncos defense, which returned only two starters, would have held the Ducks to ZERO first downs in the first half, I probably would have beaten you to a bloody pulp for mocking me. Clearly, everyone underestimated the Broncos defense and overestimated the Ducks' offensive attack.

• Words of wisdom for LeGarrette Blount: Anytime you make a statement like "we owe them an a**-whooping," be prepared to rush for at least more than negative five yards, and try to stay out of your own end zone with the ball.

Despite the reports that he was taunted by Byron Hout and his report that he was attacked by a fan with a chair, you just can't lose your head like that.

Bottom line: If you say something like that, be prepared to back it up, and if you can't...walk off the field with your mouth shut and don't do anything stupid.

• Not only does Blount's dumb move cost him at least one game due to suspension, it will also probably cost the team at least one win after this loss. An Oregon team without a healthy LeGarrette Blount isn't as dangerous as one with him. 

• Kellen Moore looked like a seasoned vet out there, impressive for a sophomore, who in the two biggest games of his short career has completed 74.2 percent of his passes for 583 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.

He knew, unlike Jeremiah Masoli, when to put a little extra zip on his passes and when to give them just the right amount of touch. I could barely count the number of times he lofted a pass just over the outstretched hands of an Oregon defender.

• I'm not gonna lie, I was kind of disappointed that so many of Kyle Wilson's punt returns turned into fair catches. I was expecting some sort of daring return by the daring return specialist. Clearly the days of Bronco return men avoiding fair catch signals like the black death are over.

• You have to give the Broncos' defensive unit big ups for making a big play every time the team needed one. Aaron Tevis' interception came at the perfect time, as did Ryan Winterswyk's fumble recovery and Jeron Johnson's late fourth down stop.

• Is there any doubt that teams will be after Broncos defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox for either a defensive coordinator spot at a big school or a head coaching spot at a mid-level one?

His game plan was executed perfectly, and I don't think anyone could have envisioned a defense, much less one filled with freshmen and sophomores, could shut down Oregon's offense.

• Kudos to offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin, who ditched the trick play calling that Boise State is known for and went with a more conservative offensive attack. He clearly must have seen something in Oregon's defense that let him know he could run right at (and over) the Oregon front seven. 

• I was all for the strange extra point formation, especially after two missed field goals, until it failed miserably on the second attempt. Let's keep that one on paper, Mr. Special Teams coordinator. 

• Props to coach Chris Petersen for getting every single member of the Boise State offense and defense involved in the game plan. Whether it was third-string wide receiver Mitch Burroughs or backup linebacker J.C. Percy, just about every player who was on the field for the Broncos made a play.

• I was more worried about Coach Petersen's decision to give up PAT attempts than Kyle Brotzman's two missed field goals, plus the other botched one. The Broncos were testing out a freshman snapper, and holder Michael Choate hasn't been on that job all that long either. I'm pretty sure Brotzman will be fine...and...

• Is it just me, or is he one hell of a punter? He utilizes just about every style of kicking in his arsenal: the straight-on punt, the rugby style punt, the squib kick.

I have to say, he is sometimes more impressive as a punter than as a kicker. Makes me wonder if the Broncos should look for a full-time kicker and let Brotz work on punts full-time.

• You think Virginia Tech was watching this game? If they were, I'm sure they're regretting the decision to take on Boise next year in D.C. Yeah, the Broncos tend to not play as well away from the blue turf, but they played just fine in Autzen Stadium last year, and that was with a freshman QB.

The way the Broncos defense dominated this game, next year's contest with the Hokies could be quite the defensive battle.

• Finally, if you would have told me that the Broncos could beat Oregon by only scoring 19 points, I would have laughed and laughed...and laughed and laughed.

Kudos to all of the coaches and players for a well-deserved victory. If they continue to prepare and play like they did last night, there is no way the Broncos can be kept out of the BCS...and keep your eye on them for a national title spot if the entire season goes to hell.