How Does The Loss Of D J Harper Affect Boise States Running The Table?

Already this season fans have watched Jeron Johnson, George Iloka, and DJ Harper fall hard to the turf. Sadly, one of the three (the Texas Tornado) tore an ACL and could not get up on his own; he will be lost for the season.

What does that mean for the Boise State Broncos who seem destined to prove they can run the ball this year? Well it obviously would mean more if Harper was not hurt, but the Broncos are not devastated yet. Enter Doug Martin, the Broncos' everything.

Doug plays special teams (all star), offense (running back), and defense (nickel). Doug’s heart is bigger then his 5 foot 9 inch dimensions. He just wants to get out there. Yet to play this year at running back is the injured Matt Kaiserman.

Matt will be beneficial when he returns, but until then junior Jarvis Hodge will be counted on to assist Jeremy Avery and Martin in the tailback position. Helping to bust open holes is the job of the O-Line and full backs. Both are doing a far better job then last season.

Leading the way at fullback is the 6 foot 2 inch-Richie Brockel. Richie is also added at the fullback position by former linebacker Dan Paul. Dan is a great blocker and is relentless once on the field. Down the road the Broncos have another treat at the tailback/fullback position, but this one will be used very sparingly at the position, he is defensive tackle Michael “Canadian Bacon” Atkinson.

Bacon is a 320-pound mass of battering prowess. Michael will be coming off suspension and ready to play on Oct. 3, when Boise State entertains Cal Davis. Cal Davis is the former school where Bronco coach Chris Petersen played quarterback very successfully.

It would appear that the Broncos are OK with or without the Tornado, but to borrow a heavily used phrase from the University of Texas coach Mack Brown, “not so fast, big boy”; You just don’t take a back out of the game that gives you six yards a carry on average and expect it not to make a difference.

Having said that, the Broncos will most likely pass more often, and that should not upset the fans. However, Avery will continue to get the ball, it would be ridiculous not to, especially after Jeremy Avery tore loose Friday with a 186-yard effort against Fresno State.

The Broncos are deep, very deep and not at just running back. Don’t look for the loss of any player other then Kellen Moore to affect the overall win-loss of the Broncos. Even Kellen Moore has a respectable back up in 6 fooot 5 inch-Mike Coughlin and a super star to-be inJoe Southwick — waiting in the wing temporarily at No. 3.

The bottom line is Broncos will be solid for the next few years. They are getting better, BCS bound better, and that’s another story. Go Broncos.