Boise State Football: 3 takeaways from runaway victory over BYU

(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

1. Alexander Mattison takes charge in backfield with 100-yard game

At the beginning of the season, the Boise State coaching staff seemed uncertain about who they wanted to carry the ball. Jeremy McNichols was off to the NFL, and there were several candidates to take charge as his successor.

Redshirt senior Ryan Wolpin, true sophomore Alexander Mattison, and redshirt freshman Robert Mahone all got their chances to tote the rock in the opening month of the season. On Friday night, though, Mattison finally set the question to rest as he put up the first 100-yard game by a Broncos running back this season.

Offensive coordinator Zak Hill kept calling Mattison’s number, and the sophomore responded with 118 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. Boise State’s offensive line plowed open plenty of holes in the BYU front seven, and Mattison didn’t waste the openings. He showed both lateral quickness exploiting those holes as well as a willingness to plow forward for extra yardage after contact.

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It was a masterful performance by the back, who looks ready to emerge as the next great Boise State runner. Mattison will probably get the bulk of the carries in Mountain West play. If the sophomore can continue to provide offensive balance, the Broncos could still be a Group of Five contender after dropping both their chances against Power Five teams in September.