Boise State Broncos Dominate the Oregon Ducks on the First Night of 2009 College Football

Idaho and Oregon National Guard fly over

The first night of the college football season was amazing, unusual, and hard to watch topped off with inappropriate behavior.

After weeks of too much hype, trash talk from the other side, and the usual guarded optimism by the BSU Broncos coaching staff and players, Bronco stadium was packed with an all-time record 34,127 screaming fans. A surprising number of them were in yellow. I am guessing that 10% or more were from OR. That is a large number for Boise who typically sells out far in advance.

This game was completely sold out. Some tickets appeared on Craig’s list for upwards of $900.

The game started shaky as expected. The band played the exact same version of the Star Spangled Banner they always play followed by an awkward silence before a late flyover by the Idaho National Guard in two A10s and our guests from the Oregon National Guard in two F15s (I think it was the band who finished too early). It was worth the wait regardless.

The first half of the game proved my earlier point. Did I not say it? The defense ruled. Oregon’s stats were abysmal. Their total running yards were in the double digits, and they had zero first downs. In fact, Oregon did not earn their first first down of the season until about half way through the third quarter. Shortly after that, they scored their only touchdown with a two-point conversion. Their plays went something like this: punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, first down, touch down, punt, punt, punt, punt (Jim Rome reference).

I cannot quite say that the Broncos ruled, although I felt silly when I realized I was disappointed that they allowed Oregon one first down after an almost total shut down in three quarters. Then I was beside myself when they scored. We have high expectations for the Broncos around here.

The Broncos had their problems. They literally dropped the ball more times than I care to remember including on the very first snap. On one of the early drives, they advanced to within one yard of the goal, and then gave it back without at score. The kicking game was also disappointing with two missed field goals in a row. That is rare for Kyle Brotzman who usually misses two per year, not two per game.

The Broncos offense turned the ball over time and time again. However, the Broncos defense recovered it time and time again. It was almost funny.

All in all it was great fun to be there. The historic crowd was coming unglued. The noise during defensive plays was deafening. The noise from the Oregon fans during our offensive plays was impressive.

The Broncos won for the second try in a row against Oregon who said they were embarrassed for losing last year. They are embarrassed far more this year -- not for the loss so much, which should be embarrassing enough, but for the behavior of their number 9, LeGarrette Blount, who became agitated apparently by something Broncos Running Back Byron Hout said and sucker punched Hout across the jaw when he wasn't looking. It doesn’t matter what Hout did, though. Talking is one thing, hitting is another. How many times do we have to say it to our kids, "we don't hit; say you are sorry." He gave the kids a case in point to argue back.

Now, instead of the great effort and sound victory for the Broncos, this game will always be about Blount.