By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
The Boise State running backs aren’t the only players who are having to share the football more than they might prefer.
The wide receivers also are adjusting to lower numbers.
Jeremy Childs (14 catches in three games) and Titus Young (10 catches in three games) are the top receivers. Childs’ average is down two catches per game and Young’s is about even with last year.
Vinny Perretta has just eight catches in four games, Austin Pettis has seven catches in four games and Julian Hawkins has six catches in four games. All of their averages are down, too.
“Everyone wants the ball, but we’re getting W’s — so you can’t really complain too much,” Pettis said. “The process is working.”
The distribution of catches is a result of many factors — tremendous depth, quarterback Kellen Moore’s ability to spread the ball to tight ends and running backs and the loss of eight offensive plays per game (opponents are running five more offensive plays per game than the Broncos).
Pettis said the receivers constantly tease Moore in practice about how open they are. But he says their need for the ball isn’t as important as team success.
“I think that might be in the back of people’s minds, but you can’t let that show,” he said of wanting the ball more. “We’re all here to win a WAC championship and get to a bowl game and win that, too. We’re on pace to do that.”
•••
Boise State running back commitment Malcolm Johnson rushed for 458 yards and five touchdowns last week, climbing to No. 2 in the nation in rushing yards per game, according to the Gresham (Ore.) Outlook.
Johnson, who led Oregon in rushing last season, averages 244.2 yards per game. He also is in the top 10 in the nation in total yards and touchdowns, the Outlook reports.
Johnson plays for Barlow High, the same school the sent linebacker Dan Paul to the Broncos.
“I knew (Johnson) was a special kid when I first saw him play,” Barlow coach Terry Summerfield told the Outlook. “He’s always had good vision and balance – that’s what separates him from other backs.”
On Wednesday, Johnson was named the ESPNRise.com West player of the week.
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Another Johnson?
If he can play we'll have him since we are losing IJ this year.
Please not "IJ"
For the love, please dont call him "IJ", that is such a stupid nickname. We won't even know Ian is gone come next year cause of all the backs we have now. One other thing, Statesman needs to get rid of the retarded "Ian Johnson Watch Page". The guy has not done so hot since his sophomore year.
OK
I'll call him douche.
Wasted Money
Take all this money that is wasted on football and put it where it is needed
Wated Money?
This money is not wasted. You want to talk about wasted money lets talk to congress about the extra $100 Billion that got added onto the bail out bill so that it would pass. That is wasted money or the money that all the CEO's who ran their companies into the ground and got fired but still get $50 million because they sucked at their jobs but were smart enough to get a contract that said if I screw up and you fire me I get X amount of money. That is more wasted money then putting money into a football program that makes kids and fans happy.
That wasted money....
is what helped send us to the Fiesta Bowl, which in turn gave the school how many millions of dollars from the win, revenue generated at the bookstore (over $1 million) and an unimaginable increase in tuition from the countless people who desired to attend BSU for their education. Some of those millions created 30 new scholarships. So quit complaining and say thank you for spending that "wasted money". I am sure the recipients of those scholarships are thankful.
Thank You
I was hoping to stir the pot and see what came of it.
Seriously?
You could not find something better to stir the pot with?
I wonder if the receivers deep down feel any animosity not getting the ball enough. Position players love the ball in their hands and have huge egos. It's what makes them great. I think this team is just that, a team. As long as you win it shouldnt matter who gets the ball or the TDs...right???
wasted space
How about we talk of wasted space, which is what nogood's posts are.
They need to use
in Drew Wright next year. He had 2305 yards last year at Vallivue. He might be small but dang he is mighty!!!
Drew
Falconfan, you're right, I hope Drew keeps working hard and perfects his pass-catching and blocking skills, the coaches will find playing time for him.
If they are it's finally something good they learned from Mom.
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If this had been an actual troll post the attention seeking you just read would've been followed by screaming, name-calling and cutting and pasting for no apparent reason. We now return you to the Idaho Statesman already in progress.