2009 Record – 14-0, 8-0 WAC
Bowl Game – Fiesta Bowl – Beat TCU 17-10
Letterman Returning: 55
Stadium – Bronco Stadium (32,000)
College Location – Boise, ID
Coach – Chris Peterson 49-4 (5th year)
OFFENSE: (10)
Key Returnees – QB Kellen Moore (below), RB Jeremy Avery, WR Austin Pettis, WR Titus Young, G Nate Potter, RB Doug Martin, TE Kyle Efaw
Key Losses – G Kevin Sapien
- Apparently the state of Idaho offers more than just potatoes. Half of the country probably cannot point out the western (that’s a hint) state on a map, but Idaho’s own has torn through college football like a Cinderella on steroids as of late. The glass slipper once worn by Boise has turned into a steel-toe boot, much in part to the creative and high powered offenses displayed on the Smurf-turf. Last season’s team averaged 450 yards of total 
offense at over 42 points a game. For the first time ever the Bronco’s enter the season with a Heisman hopeful on the team in junior quarterback Kellen Moore. Moore was as good a quarterback as there was in college football last season, throwing for over 3,500 yards with 39 scores, and just three interceptions. With another undefeated season, and possible trip to the National Championship game, a Heisman in Moore’s future isn’t far out of reach. With 10 starters back on offense, Moore’s entire receiving core remains intact. A pair of seniors lead the group in Titus Young and Austin Pettis, both first team All-WAC selections last season. Young brought in 79 catches for 1,041 yards and 10 scores providing a deep threat for the offense. Pettis became a redzone target for Moore, catching 63 balls for 855 yards and 14 scores. Both will have big seasons again in Boise. Junior tight end Kyle Effaw also became a reliable target for Moore, bringing in 444 yards receiving. With so much focus on the passing game in the Broncos offense, it’s amazing the team was able to produce a 1,000 yard rusher in senior Jeremy Avery. Avery brought in 1,151 yards and six scores, on a 5.5 yard average. The Broncos also return Doug Martin, a converted defensive back, and DJ Harper, who sat all last season with an ACL injury. The move of Martin to running back paid off last season with the junior rushing for 765 yards and 15 touchdowns. Martin was also recently named the starter for the Broncos week one matchup against Va. Tech. The return of Harper will add even more excitement and speed to an already deep running back rotation. Four starters return to an offensive line which finished first in the NCAA last season in only allowing five sacks. All-WAC guard Nate Potter leads a group of veteran lineman.
DEFENSE: (10)
Key Returnees – S Jeron Johnson (below), DT Billy Winn, DE Ryan Winterswyk, CB Brandyn Thompson, OLB Aaron Tevis
Key Losses – CB Kyle Wilson
- Apart from No.1 draft choice Kyle Wilson, the Broncos stout defense last season was basically led by a bunch of unheard-of players. The defense returns 19 of their top 20 tacklers and outside of the deep college football minded fan, still returns a defense full of no-names. But that’s just the way things seem to work out best around Boise. The defensive front leads the way for the Broncos, with the return of senior Ryan Winterswyk and junior 
Billy Winn. From his end position last season, Winterswyk led the Broncos in sacks with 9 and tackles for a loss with 17, both which ranked second in the conference. Winn proved to be an inside force for the Bronco line with six sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss. Nose tackle Chase Baker, and end Shea McCellin, were solid starters along the defensive line as well. The talented defensive front was the main reason the Broncos were able to hold opponents to under 100 yards rushing in eight games last season, including holding Oregon to 31 yards on a 1.8 average, and TCU to just 36 yards on a 1.8 average. At linebacker, seniors Daron Mackey and Derrell Acrey will battle the season out for the starting inside position. Neither was spectacular last season, but Acrey should take the job. At outside linebacker the Broncos return junior Aaron Tevis. Tevis finished fourth on the team in tackles with 54 last season, adding 6.5 for a loss and three interceptions. Sophomore JC Percy will also be in the mix after bringing in 64 tackles in a freshman campaign. All-WAC nickel back Winston Venable returns to the second level as well, bringing in 63 stops with eight for a loss last season. In the secondary the Bronco’s return senior All-WAC player Jeron Johnson to his strong safety position. Johnson led the team in tackles last season with 91 while bringing in 10 passes defended and four interceptions. With Wilson gone at corner, Johnson will have more opportunities on the ball this season. Junior free safety George Iloka, adds a big body to the secondary at 6’3’’ 207 pounds. Senior corner Brandyn Thompson returns after leading the team in interceptions last season with six.
SCHEDULE:
- The underdog tag has been far removed from the Broncos label for years now. Since 2002, Boise has brought in five seasons of 12 or more wins. Two undefeated seasons have come within the last four years and in 10 years the Broncos have lost just two conference games. That’s why the move to the Mountain West conference next season is expected to be a joyful time for remaining members of the WAC. Not to say, however, that the Broncos won’t make their last year in the conference hell for their opponents one last time. Last season Boise opened week one with a visit from Oregon to the blue turf, beating the Ducks to a pulp in a game that wasn’t as close as the 19-8 score. The win let the rest of the country know the Broncos were for real in 2009. Similar to last year, the Broncos can make a statement early this season with a marquee victory against Virginia Tech, Sept. 6, at Landover Stadium in Maryland. Tech is a far tougher opening game for the Broncos than the Ducks were last season, but Boise is a far better team than they were last season as well. It’s hard to say which way the game will go at this point. A week off is followed by a trip to Wyoming, before their continuing concur of the state of Oregon in an Oregon State matchup at home, Sept. 25. Another away conference game this time against New Mexico State, leads into a non-conference meeting against Toledo, Oct. 9. At San Jose St, Oct. 16 and Louisiana Tech at home, Oct. 26, end October. Hawaii, Nov. 6 leads into three straight Friday night games for the Broncos in at Idaho, Fresno State at home and at Nevada. The Wolf Pack will give the Broncos their toughest conference test of the season. Utah State, Dec. 4, ends Boise’s season.
Schedule rating: C+
Red = Toughest Game. Blue = Pivotal to conference.
Top Incoming Freshman:
1.) Grant Hedrick, *#57 QB, 6-1 180, Independence, OR
Hedrick gives the Broncos a dual threat quarterback to work with for the future.
2.) Bryan Douglas, #58 CB, 5-11 170, Harbor City, CA
An exceptional athlete, Douglas has all the intangibles to become a great corner at the next level.
3.) Matt Miller (left), #92 WR, 6-3 210, Helena, MT
Montana’s top prospect, Miller chose to stay close to home over SEC and ACC offers.
4.) Troy Ware, #152 WR, 6-2 175, Vista, CA
Ware led his Vista HS team to the California championship as a senior.
5.) Jeremy Ioane, #94 CB, 5-10 175, Honolulu, HI
Ioane, who could be moved to safety for the Broncos, chose Boise over offers from Notre Dame and Stanford.
*Rankings according to scout.com
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