How Exactly Did Boise State Upset Florida State?
We go quarter by quarter to see how Boise State won
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Time of possesion was key for the Broncos
Boise State has a history of scheduling big games to open their season and Florida State would fall into that category. Although coming off of a down year, the Seminoles look to improve on their 5-7 total from last year. The Broncos come in with a new quarterback, true freshman Hank Bachmeier, and a new defense.
Hurricane Dorian provided some excitement/pain before the game even started but forcing the game to move from Jacksonville to Tallahassee and moving the game up to a 10 a.m. MT start time, which also means it is going to be played in the hottest part of the day. Even with the changes, the Broncos and their fans look forward to seeing how the offseason changes look in real game action.
First Quarter:
Boise State received the opening kick and that game started as well as anyone could have hoped. The ground game came on strong with a 17-yard run by Robert Mahone on the first play of the drive and added a 7yard run by John Hightower and another 10 years run by Andrew Van Buren. Hank Bachmeier went completed one of his two pass attempts and converted a first down with his 6-yard completion to CT Thomas.
Unfortunately, the drive ended with a fumble by Van Buren which Florida State was able to convert into a touchdown after a 38-yard run on a 4th and one play.
The Broncos did not stray away from the running backs though, continuing to run and pass to them through the following drive, with both Mahone and Van Buren getting touches and moving the ball effectively. Coupled with short, high percentage passes, the Broncos moved the ball down the Florida State 19 before the drive stalled out and were forced to settle for a field goal attempt. With special teams being a weak spot for the Broncos last year, Senior transfer Eric Sachse converted the 36-yard attempt.
Florida State wasted no time getting themselves back on the board as on the first play of their following drive James Blackman completed a short pass that Tamorrion Terry turned into a 75-yard touchdown, pushing their lead to 14-3.
Boise State looked to be heading towards disaster when the Seminoles appeared to have a sack and fumble that they returned for a touchdown, only to have the call overturned. Boise State responded by putting together a solid 11 play drive to cover 56 yards before converting a second 36-yard field goal attempt by Sachse. The highlight of the drive was a 36-yard completion by Bachmeier, who was hit and had his helmet knocked off, to CT Thomas for 36 yards to convert a 3rd and 10 play.
The final full drive of the first quarter ended with Florida State in the end zone again. The Bronco defense, for the first time in the game, looked outmatched with the Seminoles put together a 10 play drive to go up 21-3 to end the quarter
Boise State 3, Florida State 21
Second Quarter
The Bronco offense didn’t do much in their next opportunity gaining only 17 yards on their next drive but did get a good 52-yard punt from Joel Velazquez. Florida State used their big-play ability to get themselves down to the Boise State 1 yard line before a couple of missed snaps and an ineffective run lead to a 4th and goal from the Bronco 28 yard line. They were still able to get off the field with some points as their kicker Ricky Aguayo hit from 46 yards.
The Broncos and Seminoles exchanged turnovers by their quarterbacks. Bachmeier overshot Khalil Shakir and was intercepted Florida State safety Isaiah Bolden that was returned to the Florida State 32 yard line. Seminole QB James Blackman, in turn, fumbled after being sacked by Kekaula Kaniho, which was recovered by David Moa that was returned to the Florida State 30 yard line.
The Broncos took advantage of the turnover by reaching the end zone for their first touchdown on the year with a 1-yard run by Robert Mahone. Boise State’s running backs continued to be the feature of the offense as George Holani and Mahone were responsible for all 40 yards on the drive.
With the Broncos closing in on their lead to 11 points, Florida State again came out and wasted little time getting themselves into the end zone. Blackman completed a 58-yard pass to Keyshawn Helton for a touchdown.
Boise State put together another long drive, which they had largely been able to do all game, that once again ended with a field goal attempt. Sachse again converted his attempt, this time for 41-yards.
After the defense had their first 3 and out of the game, the Bronco offense had another opportunity to get on the board before the end of the half. With less than two minutes left the drive fell mostly on Bachmeier to move the ball. Going 4-7 for 49 yards, Bachmeier did well to move the ball down to the Florida State 10 yard line.
It appeared that the Broncos got in the end zone when Bachmeier completed a pass to Akilian Butler, but Butler had stepped out of the back of the end zone and returned to the field before catching the pass. The Broncos, once again, had to settle for a field goal. Eric Sachse remained perfect on the day, connecting from 26 yards out to end the half.
Boise State19, Florida State 31
