Holani leads the way as Boise St. downs FCS UT Martin
By Jason Chatraw
Associated Press
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — George Holani accounted for 157 yards of offense and two touchdowns, Hank Bachmeier threw for a pair of scores, and Boise State defeated UT Martin 30-7 on Saturday.
Boise State (2-1) used a smothering defense to prop up its sputtering offense, holding UT Martin to 152 yards of total offense.
Offensively it was Holani who did it all for Boise State. He caught four passes for 47 yards and a score, while rushing for 110 yards and a TD. He also returned five punts for 69 yards.
“We need to get (Holani) the ball in the perimeter too when there’s space out there,” Boise State coach Andy Avalos said. “We need to get him as many touches as we can.”
In the first half, Boise State’s offense put up its most productive half of the young season, rolling up 251 yards. However, it slogged its way through the second half to finish with 327 total yards.
“We weren’t productive in the second half,” Avalos said. “We were able to run the ball and handle the line of scrimmage, but we weren’t able to protect the quarterback. When you’re back there with pressure in your face, it’s not always a manageable situation for him. We had too many negative yardage plays.”
UT Martin (1-2), which entered the game ranked 18th in the latest FCS coaches poll, showed some fight early, exiting the first quarter tied at 7. But the Skyhawks gained only 86 yards after their first three drives.
Bachmeier, who left the game after a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit in the fourth quarter on a roughing the passer penalty, was 18 of 25 for 204 yards. Despite the hit, Bachmeier is expected to return next week.
Dresser Winn threw for 104 yards and a touchdown for UT Martin.
THE TAKEAWAY
UT-Martin: The Skyhawks defense looked up for the task early on but were worn down by the Broncos’ experienced offensive line. UT Martin, which was hoping to notch its second win over an FBS opponent, will get another chance against a more formidable foe in Tennessee next month.
Boise State: While the Broncos continue to improve on defense, their offense has lost its trademark big-play threat in the passing game. Through the first three games, the Broncos have accumulated just 12 plays of more than 15 yards through the air. After losing star receiver Khalil Shakir, who was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills, the Broncos are still searching for someone to step into that role from the receiving corps.
But Avalos believes those playmakers are already on the field and instead need to shore up its protection of Bachmeier.
“It’s all eleven players working together,” Avalos said. “It’s not just on the wide receiver or on the quarterback. It’s collectively being more consistent with our protections.”
UP NEXT
UT Martin hosts Lindenwood on Saturday.
Boise State travels to UTEP in non-conference action next Saturday.
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George Holani accounted for 157 yards of offense and two touchdowns, Hank Bachmeier threw for a pair of scores, and Boise State defeated UT Martin 30-7 on Saturday.
Boise State (2-1) used a smothering defense to prop up its sputtering offense, holding UT Martin to 152 yards of total offense.
Offensively it was Holani who did it all for Boise State. He caught four passes for 47 yards and a score, while rushing for 110 yards and a TD.
UT Martin (1-2), which entered the game ranked 18th in the latest FCS coaches poll, showed some fight early, exiting the first quarter tied at 7. But the Skyhawks gained only 86 yards after their first three drives.
Bachmeier, who left the game after a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit in the fourth quarter on a roughing the passer penalty, was 18 of 25 for 204 yards.
Dresser Winn threw for 104 yards and a touchdown for UT Martin.
THE TAKEAWAY
UT-Martin: The Skyhawks defense looked up for the task early on but were worn down by the Broncos’ experienced offensive line. UT Martin, which was hoping to notch its second win over an FBS opponent, will get another chance against a more formidable foe in Tennessee next month.
Boise State: While the Broncos continue to improve on defense, their offense has lost its trademark big-play threat in the passing game. Through the first three games, the Broncos have accumulated just 12 plays of more than 15 yards through the air. After losing star receiver Khalil Shakir, who was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills, the Broncos are still searching for someone to step into that role from the receiving corps.
UP NEXT
UT Martin hosts Lindenwood on Saturday.
Boise State travels to UTEP in non-conference action next Saturday.
