8 minute read
SPORTS & REC
QUESTIONS AT QUARTERBACK: DID BOISE STATE MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION?
Boise State benched their four-year starter 20 minutes into their season, leaving fans and media split
Adam Bridges | Sports & Rec Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Fans and media are split after Boise State benched quarterback Hank Bachmeier early into the team’s game against Oregon State on Sept. 3. Claire Keener | The Arbiter
There are 12 minutes left in the second quarter. Your team is down 17 points and your four-year starting quarterback yes? But four-year senior starter that was by all accounts team leader. Pulling him was a panic move. Now what happens? ... Avalos has a mess on his hands.” adjustment,” Avalos said after the Oregon State game. “(Bachmeier) never got himself into a rhythm. He threw into double coverage, and he was holding the ball too threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. What do you do in this situation?
This scenario occurred on Sept. 3 when the Boise State Broncos played against Oregon State University, where they benched senior quarterback Hank Bachmeier and give redshirt freshman Taylen Green a chance on the field.
This singular personnel change turned Boise State football upside down, with fans and media split on whether or not Boise State made the right decision and what the team should do going forward.
“This is stunning,” said Bronco Nation News owner B.J. Rains on Twitter. “Still speechless Hank got pulled. Rough start, Fans and reporters were tweeting two different perspectives on this move all throughout the game. They were either blaming the coaches for pulling Bachmeier out too early, or praising the coaches for making the right decision. “It’s Taylen Green time at Boise State man,” Broncos fan Liam Blutman said on Twitter. “It’s his job just let him take it already.” Despite the backlash, head coach Andy Avalos made it clear that he firmly believes the team made the correct decision. “Given the situation with how many turnovers we had and our lack of offensive production, we had to make an long in the pocket.” During his time on the field, Green completed 19 of his 28 passes (68%) for 155 passing yards, one interception and a passer rating of 107.2 against Oregon State. He also led the team with 102 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns after scoring on a 74-yard run in the third quarter. “Taylen got his opportunity to go in there and we were able to adjust some things and get some drives going,” Avalos said. “One of the biggest [things] is his ability to extend plays with his legs, but we were excited he took what the defense gave him and stayed on most of his progressions.”
The performance of both quarterbacks in this game caused a position battle between the players for the starting spot ahead of their matchup against New Mexico, according to Avalos.
Prior to the start of the game against the Lobos, the Broncos named Bachmeier as their starter.
Bachmeier went 16 out of 27 (59%) for 170 yards, three touchdown passes, one interception and a 141.4 passer rating against New Mexico.
“Hank is a great guy, a great teammate and we know Hank will get the work done,” sixth-year linebacker Ezekiel Noa said. “We all make mistakes and Hank was the first one to really own up to his mistakes and it showed today in the game and in the preparation he had throughout the week.”
The team played Green for one snap but did not record any stats.
“Taylen Green gets a snap at QB ... and hands it off to Ashton Jeanty for a loss of three yards,” Idaho Press Boise State sports reporter Jordan Kaye reported on Twitter. “Hank Bachmeier comes back at QB.”
Despite naming Bachmeier as the starter, fans made it clear that they believe Green should have been given more ingame opportunities.
“Does Boise put in [Green] in next half?” Broncos fan Andrew Feraci asked on Twitter. “Hank isn’t playing bad but he isn’t playing great either. Need a spark again. But at the same time [offensive line] can’t run block and there’s been a handful of times where the WR’s created separation. So this isn’t all on Hank at all.”
Boise State will play its first home game this weekend against UT-Martin with Bachmeier as their starting quarterback. Whether the Broncos decide to play Bachmeier, Green or both throughout the season remains to be seen.
BOISE STATE VS. OREGON STATE BOISE STATE VS. NEW MEXICO
Taylen Green excels despite season-opening loss Drama-filled week leads to boring Boise State win
Adam Bridges | Sports & Rec Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Adam Bridges | Sports & Rec Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Boise State’s freshman quarterback Taylen Green put on an impressive display despite the team’s loss to Oregon State. Claire Keener | The Arbiter
The highly anticipated season opener between the Broncos and the Beavers did not go the way Boise State had hoped. The team went into halftime trailing 24-0. Boise State tried to redeem themselves at the start of the second half with an interception by senior cornerback
Boise State suffered a 17-34 loss to Oregon State on Saturday, Sept. 3. Although the team lost, the Broncos were given hope by one player: Taylen Green.
The first half didn’t go well for Boise State. The Broncos threw two interceptions and fumbled the ball twice throughout the first two quarters.
Due to the unprecedented start, Boise State made the decision to bench senior quarterback Hank Bachmeier and play redshirt freshman Taylen Green in the second quarter.
The freshman quarterback started off with two incompletions, but then completed seven consecutive passes throughout the second quarter. Despite the flashes of arm talent, the Boise State offense remained stagnant throughout the first half.
The Broncos did not have much success on the defensive side of the ball. The team had a fumble recovery and an interception, but also allowed 233 passing yards, 35 rushing yards and four scores from the Beavers. These scores included a 47-yard and a 27-yard touchdown pass. Caleb Biggers, resulting in a field goal by junior kicker Jonah Dalmas. Green then made Boise State’s biggest play late in the third quarter after scoring on a 74-yard run. This was Boise State’s longest run since former Boise State receiver John Hightower rushed for an 88-yard touchdown against Nevada in 2018. The new quarterback recorded another rushing touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter, cutting down Boise State’s deficit to 10 points. However, the offensive rejuvenation came too late in the game, and the Broncos lost 17-34. Green finished the game going 19-28 (68%) on his passing attempts with 155 passing yards, one interception and a passer rating of 107.2. He also led the team with 102 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Even though the Broncos are now 0-1 on the season, fans may have something to look forward to should Green continue his promising performance as the season progresses. A win is a win, regardless of how boring the game was.
Despite this past week’s quarterback controversy, Boise State secured their first victory of the season against New Mexico 31-14 on Friday, Sept. 9.
The Broncos played redshirt freshman Taylen Green near the start of the second quarter against Oregon State after senior quarterback Hank Bachmeier had three turnovers in six drives.
This decision left fans and media split on whether Green or Bachmeier should start this week. The Broncos announced that they will be sticking with their fouryear starter against the Lobos. This proved to be a wise decision.
Bachmeier started off slow in the first quarter going three of five for 44 yards. He gained momentum after throwing an 18-yard touchdown pass to redshirt sophomore Latrell Caples on the first play of the second quarter.
Bachmeier threw two more touchdown passes to freshman running back Ashton Jeanty and Caples in the second half of the game.
The quarterback ended the game completing 16 of his 27 (59%) passes for 170 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and a 141.4 passer rating.
The Boise State defense had a strong showing throughout the game after holding New Mexico to 123 yards and one touchdown. The team also recorded six sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
The Bronco special teams scored a touchdown on a Lobos-blocked punt for the second consecutive year as well.
The team will get ready for their first home game of the season against the UT-Martin Skyhawks on Saturday, Sept. 17.
Despite the ensuing quartback controversy after Boise State’s season-opening loss, the Broncos secured their first victory of the season. Claire Keener | The Arbiter
YOU DEFINITELY DO DESERVE TO BUY THAT THING YOU WANT AS A TREAT FOR YOURSELF. THIS IS YOUR SIGN.
AQUARIUS
JAN 20 - FEB 18
THAT CHANGE IN YOUR APPEARANCE LOOKS AMAZING ON YOU! AND IF YOU HAVEN’T MADE ONE, MAYBE YOU NEED TO.
PISCES
FEB 19 - MAR 20
YOUR ENERGY IS ALMOST AT ITS FULL CAPACITY FOR SOMETHING GREAT SOON. DON’T EAT FISH FOR A WEEK TO KEEP IT SACRED. TAP INTO YOUR FIRE SIGN ENERGY AND START THE BONFIRE FOR YOUR FRIENDS THIS WEEKEND.
TAURUS
APR 20 - MAY 20
TAKE A WALK IN THE RAINY GLOOMY WEATHER – YOU NEED TO READJUST TO THE EARTH’S CHANGES.
GEMINI
MAY 21 - JUN 20
MAKE SOME CRAPPY ART TO HELP WITH YOUR RECENT INFLUX OF OVERWHELMING EMOTIONS.
OUR BEST GUESS
THE ARBITER ALIGNS YOUR STARS
ILLUSTRATION BY ALIEHA DRYDEN
VIRGO AUG 23 - SEPT 22 DOT MARTIN
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
DESIGN@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE..EDU
THIS UNEXPECTED CHANGE IS WORTH IT FOR A GENUINE CONNECTION, YOU HAVE TO TRUST IT.
LEO
JUL 23 - AUG 22
YOUR FRIENDS ARE IN EXTRA NEED OF YOUR SUNNY AURA THROUGH THE WEATHER’S GLOOM.
VIRGO
AUG 23 - SEPT 22
CLEANING YOUR KITCHEN WOULD PROBABLY CALM YOU DOWN RIGHT NOW … FEED YOUR DESIRES … GO ON IT’S OKAY. DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH THEM OR ARE YOU JUST BEING TOO NICE?
SCORPIO
OCT 23 - NOV 21
THAT COMPLIMENT YOU GAVE EARLIER TURNED SOMEONE’S DAY AROUND, DO IT AGAIN!
SAGITTARIUS
NOV 22 - DEC 21
A NEW DOOR WILL OPEN FOR YOU VERY SOON, SO DON’T TOSS ALL THOSE RANDOM JUNK DRAWER KEYS JUST YET.
ADVERTISE WITH THE ARBITER!
