2010 overall record: 12-1
2010 conference record: 7-1 WAC (co-champs)
Returning starters
Offense: 7, defense 7 , punter/kicker 0
Top returners
QB Kellen Moore, RB Doug Martin, OT Nate Potter, S George Iloka
Key losses
WR Austin Pettis, WR Titus Young, S Winston Venable, S Jeron Johnson
2010 statistical leaders (* denotes returners)
Rushing: Martin* (1,260 yards, 12 TDs)
Passing: Moore* (273-of-383 for 3,845 yards, 35 TDs, 6 INTs)
Receiving: Young (1,215 yards, 9 TDs)
Tackles: Johnson (82)
Sacks: Shea McClellin* (9.5)
Interceptions: Brandyn Thompson (3)
Spring Answers
1. Geraldo Hiwat emerges. The biggest question going into the spring was who would fill the big gap created with the departure of Austin Pettis and Titus Young. After the spring, the name on everyone’s mind is Hiwat, who turned heads. He needs to continue to develop and has the potential to follow in line.
2. Tyrone Crawford is a handful. Crawford played well behind Ryan Winterswyk last season, recording seven sacks. Now he takes over at defensive end full time, and he had a great spring, leading coaches to believe that position is in good hands.
3. Smooth transition to Pease. When offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin went to Texas, Boise State went and hired back receivers coach Brent Pease, who had left for a coordinator job at Indiana. Because Pease is so familiar with the Boise State offense, the transition in coordinators was smooth during camp. There will be a few new wrinkles, but nothing overly dramatic.
Fall Questions
1. Receivers. Hiwat may have stepped up this spring, but playing in games as a featured receiver is another matter entirely. Tyler Shoemaker, Kirby Moore and Hiwat do have experience, but what is it going to be like when they are going to be relied upon full time?
2. Safeties. Boise State loses so much without Johnson and Winston Venable, and coach Chris Petersen knows it. The starters here are not solidified yet, partly because of injuries during the spring that took out some top competitors. Hunter White and Dextrell Simmons are the top competitors for Venable’s spot while Jeremy Ioane, Cedric Febis and Travis Stanaway are competing for Johnson’s spot.
3. Mountain West. How will the Broncos fare in their first season in the Mountain West? Many are picking them to win the league, but remember Boise State is going to be facing a slew of teams it has never seen before. That unfamiliarity could be a problem in some of the tougher matchups against Air Force and San Diego State.