Boise State Football: 3 takeaways from huge G5 win over Marshall

1. Broncos defense was even better against the Thundering Herd

After going down 31-13 in the first half of their showdown at Florida State, it is as though a switch flipped for the Boise State defense. The Broncos forced seven Seminoles punts, a turnover on downs, and a fumble and gave up just 46 yards on 33 Florida State plays in the final 33 minutes of gameplay as they clawed back for the 36-31 win.

In much the same way, Boise State took their time to feel out the Marshall offense before figuring out how to stop the Thundering Herd. Isaiah Green looked better than Hank Bachmeier early in the contest, going 6-of-7 for 46 yards over the first three drives as Marshall took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Over that same span, Brenden Knox rushed a half-dozen times for 49 yards and the go-ahead touchdown.

After that point, the Broncos really clamped down. Green threw for just 10 more yards, going just 4-of-10 from that point in the contest, while the running game finished with only 116 yards and Knox’s touchdown run.

While Boise State has often been looked at as an explosive team thanks to quarterbacks that have included Jared Zabransky, Kellen Moore, and Brett Rypien, Broncos success and failure has long been dependent on the defense. This year is going to be no different, and the unit looks ready for the long fight ahead.