Boise State Runs Past Beavers 42-14
It was the Ian Johnson show Thursday night in Boise, Idaho. Ian Johnson, the true freshman Boise State running back from San Dimas, California who shredded the PAC-10 member Oregon State Beavers defense for 230 yards on 21 carries and five touchdowns to lead the Broncos to a 42-14 win in front of a national ESPN telecast.
Boise State was looking for a running back. A runner good enough to keep opposing defenses off balance so first year Head Coach Chris Peterson could make his offense work. The same offense he ran the past five years as Offensive Coordinator under former head coach and friend Dan Hawkins now departed for Colorado. Ian Johnson was just a newly arrived freshman wanting to be a part of the ground game picture. He came into the game wanting to be part of the team. When he departed, the Broncos were his team. They were looking for a running back; they got Barry Sanders.
Johnson’s 240 yards rushing were the third most in school history and his 10.9 yards per carry were the 10th most in a game for a Boise State rusher. He also caught a pass for 21 yards to give him 261 yards of total offense.
For the second time in three years the Beavers jumped out to a 14 point lead only to watch the Bronco’s sling- shot past them by scoring 42 unanswered points. Oregon State’s offense stalled on its first possession at the Beaver’s own 24-yard line but surprised the Broncos with a successful fake punt. Punter Kyle Loomis took the snap and threw a 27-yard pass to receiver Daniel Drayton. The Beavers drove the ball mostly by handing off to tailback Yvenson Bernard and scored on a short pass to tight end Joe Newton. The Bronco’s offense quickly stalled on its first possession and punted only to have Oregon State take a 14-0 lead as Sammie Stroughter returned the punt 64 yards to the end zone.
Johnson’s heroics helped get Boise State back in the game on the Broncos' first possession after the punt return. The sophomore capped a four-play, 71-yard drive with a 59-yard touchdown run where he outraced a pair of Beaver defensive backs to the end zone to pull the Broncos to within 14-7.
Boise State safety Kory Hall picked off OSU QB, Matt Moore pass on their next series giving the Bronco’s the ball back. The Broncos took advantage of the turnover marching to the end zone on five plays to tie the score. Johnson capped the drive with a 4-yard scoring run. Following the PAT Boise State had tied the game. The Broncos never looked back as they scored 28 unanswered points and take a 42-14 point victory.
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