W2WF: First Responder Bowl vs. Boise State
December 25, 2018 | Football, #ForBoston Files
The Eagles and Broncos will mess with each other in Texas on Wednesday.
It's no secret how much I love Boston.
I believe that the spirit of Massachusetts sits within the suburban cities and towns. Neighborhood pride is very real, and it fosters sibling-style rivalries with other cities and towns. It develops an intensity, especially on sports fields. The rivalries are intense, historical and an intricate part of where people grow up.
Boston always served as the unifying brand. The representative sports teams are institutions that stand for the city and the region to the rest of the country and the world. They represent us, as if the players are our neighbors. They are so woven into our fabric that, in many ways, they are part of our civic pride.
Boston College is no different. BC is the only power conference college sports program in New England, therefore serving as this city's representation in "big time football." While the athletes aren't always local, the uniforms, colors, logos and history are very much a part of this area. I always felt drawn to that, and it's how I fell in love with the Eagles at a young age.
So I always felt that the athletes who chose to represent Boston College represented this region and the people who lived there. On Wednesday, it's something I'll carry with me when I watch the Maroon and Gold do it one more time against the No. 25 Boise State Broncos in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.
"We attack with the right mindset," safety Lukas Denis said. "I think that will put us in a position to win the game. Vice-versa, if we don't practice hard, it can put you down on a hillside. I think it comes with maturity and age. We're trying to get a win, so that's our mindset. We have great players on our team. They have theirs, we'll have ours. Whoever plays the hardest and the toughest for the longest amount of time will win."
BC and Boise don't have much of a shared history. This game then becomes an introduction to style and culture as it is a game against an opponent. It's one chance to show what it means to play for the Eagles, and it's the same opportunity for the Broncos. It's one last chance for 2018 for each team to define what that means as part of their respective foundations for the future.
"The people that you have in the building develop your culture in the team," linebacker Connor Strachan said. "I think this year, simply coming to work is not enough. We're excited, but there's more to it. There's more outside work and more practice outside (of regular schedules) that's required. That's the culture that we have outside this team going into bowl prep. It's in a different city, but these guys, this is important to them. It's fun to be around."
Here's what to watch for in preparation for Wednesday's bowl game.
*****
Weekly Storylines (Friday Night Lights special edition)
Let's own this game from the opening gun. -Eric Taylor
Boise State's brand of football can dominate a game. Quarterback Brett Rypien is the nephew of former Super Bowl MVP and two-time champion Mark Rypien, and he leads an offense ranked No. 17 in the nation in passing, No. 23 in scoring, and No. 8 in first downs. It's one of the best situational units in Division I, converting over half of its third downs as the third best in FBS. It can control the clock to the tune of over 33 minutes per game and protects against turnovers, two things that create a tall obstacle for BC's rugged, blue-collar defense.
"(Their) receivers are big and fast," Denis said. "Nothing that's surprising. They have a good quarterback. They run the ball well. Very physical team, but we have our corners and DBs. We're excited (for the challenge)."
The Eagles finished the season ranked No. 72 in total defense but were exceptional in the red zone. They ranked as the 28th-best unit in the nation in passing efficiency, and Hamp Cheevers became one of the nation's best lockdown corners with 1.2 passes defended per game and a NCAA-leading seven interceptions.
It was the result of a season-long quest for synergy between the defensive backfield and the front seven. Passes defended forced more plays to the line, which subsequently defended and forced more looks at cornerbacks. Wyatt Ray and Zach Allen were especially stout, averaging a combined 1.29 sacks per game, and the defense held opposing rushing games to just over 150 yards per game. Situationally, the Eagles finished sixth in the ACC on third downs.
"I think it's all about getting first downs," head coach Steve Addazio said. "You keep the ball and momentum when you get first downs, but on defense, (you get first downs by) not allowing them."
Opportunity does not knock. It presents itself when you beat down the door. -Eric Taylor
Every time the BC offense started to really get traction, something happened that would force an adjustment on the fly. It overcame obstacles but never really seemed to get on a track it laid for itself in those first couple of games. With a long break between Syracuse and the bowl game, BC was able to "rebite" and regain its focus for its bowl game.
"I feel a lot fresher than I did (at the end of the season)," quarterback Anthony Brown said. "It's been a long process of doing treatment and taking care of myself. Even other players on the team needed it."
It's a rejuvenation that will likely be needed against an aggressive and physical Boise State defense. The Broncos allowed an average of 22.1 points per game and held opponents to less than 20 points in seven games, including four of the last five. The unit averaged 18 points allowed over the last month of the season, and only Utah State, a nationally-ranked team, scored three touchdowns.
"They're fast and physical," Brown said. "They love playing Power Five teams because people don't believe that their schedule is good enough to beat top teams. They play Power Five level of ball (though), and they always have. I don't expect them to lay down at all. I expect them to come out hard (and) physical and play until they can try to get a win."
BC will need to attack, then, every sector of the field with a balance of looks. There's a requirement for pinpoint execution to move the chains and control the clock. An opposing offense can't score if BC retains possession, and that's something the Eagles have to continue to stress, just as they have throughout the season.
"Anthony's confidence is real good," Steve Addazio said. "In this bowl prep, he looks good throwing the ball. I think that it's just what the defense gives you. On different routes, you go through your reads, and depending on the coverage, someone could be open. Sometimes there's times when you're trying to get the ball to certain people, but most of the team, it's just a read."
Success is not a goal, it's a byproduct. -Eric Taylor
This game is something of a final job interview for players with hopes of playing at the next level. It's the last chance to earn film in game situations, and it's the last opportunity to showcase skills within a system. Everything that happens after this is designed to highlight the individual's measurables, so this is incredibly important for players to show off football acumen.
"Guys are fighting for personal reasons," Connor Strachan said. "Like myself, (I'm) trying to get to the NFL. As a team, we had seven wins, were ranked, had (ESPN College GameDay) here, and we can't let that get by us. (But) during bowl prep, we've been getting more rebite and it's exciting. I've had role models with high draft picks and low draft picks. I want to get through this game and get into that process."
Individual players can hold themselves out of games to preserve draft position, but there are a number of players with something still to prove. So this game becomes equally as important for them to showcase how they can play within a unit before showing off individual skills in the draft season workouts.
*****
Saying Thank You
This the first season in which the First Responder Bowl is being played under its current name, having spent the previous eight years as either the TicketCity Bowl or the Heart of Dallas Bowl. It was officially renamed in August as part of an effort to honor the service of firefighters, police officers and other first responder agencies.
It seeks to honor those who serve, and it allots them up to four free tickets to the game through corporate sponsorship. The game itself allows fans to sponsor a responder to attend the game with their family, free of charge.
This one hits particularly close to home for me. My brother-in-law is a firefighter in Massachusetts and is one of three members of his family on the force in his hometown. I think he's the 12th or 13th member of his family to join the fire department, so there's a long history of celebrating holidays while Dad is either leaving or coming home from a shift. There's an alternating feeling between pride and fear when the call comes in that he runs late from a shift because of a call.
So this is a way for all of us to say thank you. Every family has a story, and in the spirit of the holiday season, it's a great way for all of us to give back to them for all they give to us.
*****
Meteorology 101
Weather forecast for Boise on December 26: Partly cloudy, temperatures in the 30s.
Weather forecast for Boston on December 26: Partly cloudy, temperatures in the 30s.
Weather forecast for Dallas on December 26: Scattered thunderstorms, temperatures in the high 60s.
Sometimes I hate doing this to myself.
*****
Bowl Watching
Bowl season hit the ground running when Fresno State beat Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl and Georgia Southern played a tight game against Eastern Michigan in the Camellia Bowl. Then came Army's 70-point game against Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl, along with Wake Forest's three-point win the Birmingham Bowl, and we were officially back.
December 26 will offer three games that I'm genuinely excited to watch. BC kicks off the day, but Georgia Tech will play Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit at 5:15 p.m. with TCU-California in the Cheez-It Bowl at 9 p.m.
There are a lot of bowl games, but it only increases the pressure to both qualify and win one in the postseason. The extra practices are of immeasurable importance, and winning that game can provide another springboard of optimism and rejuvenation into the next season. It's part of the cycle that never seems to quit where it used to feel more like the end of the season.
"It's turned into a '13th game,'" Steve Addazio said. "But you want the kids to still have great development. The growth and fundamentals now just develop your team for the next year. I hate to lose that focus but it's (still) the last game of the season. It's a reward to get to a venue and enjoy the venue and play a great team. You want to do that."
*****
Prediction Time & Pregame Quote
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose. -Eric Taylor
The First Responder Bowl feels different because both teams did some really special things during the season. Boise State was a conference championship win and a Central Florida loss from representing the Group of Five conferences in the New Year's Six games. Boston College was on the verge of taking a power conference by storm when it was nationally-ranked heading into the Clemson game.
As a result, this game provides an interesting cross-section. Both teams can use a win to springboard into the offseason with the hope of getting to that next level. A loss likely doesn't diminish that hope, but a win would be a significant step forward. A BC win is a win over a ranked team and a fitting end after the way the regular season concluded. A Boise State win is another victory over a quality power conference team, something the Broncos do with regularity.
This is a one-game season, and Lukas Denis put it best. Whichever team plays the hardest and toughest for the longest amount of time will win. This could be one of the best bowl games during the postseason, and it plays out in one of college football's greatest venues. This is exactly what college football bowl season is all about, two teams messing with each other at a neutral site in Texas.
The 2018 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl will kick off at 1:30 p.m. from the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. It can be seen on ESPN with streaming options at WatchESPN.com or via the WatchESPN app. The game can also be heard on the BC IMG Sports Network on 850 AM WEEI and on satellite radio on Sirius 98, XM 193 and Internet channel 955.
Â
I believe that the spirit of Massachusetts sits within the suburban cities and towns. Neighborhood pride is very real, and it fosters sibling-style rivalries with other cities and towns. It develops an intensity, especially on sports fields. The rivalries are intense, historical and an intricate part of where people grow up.
Boston always served as the unifying brand. The representative sports teams are institutions that stand for the city and the region to the rest of the country and the world. They represent us, as if the players are our neighbors. They are so woven into our fabric that, in many ways, they are part of our civic pride.
Boston College is no different. BC is the only power conference college sports program in New England, therefore serving as this city's representation in "big time football." While the athletes aren't always local, the uniforms, colors, logos and history are very much a part of this area. I always felt drawn to that, and it's how I fell in love with the Eagles at a young age.
So I always felt that the athletes who chose to represent Boston College represented this region and the people who lived there. On Wednesday, it's something I'll carry with me when I watch the Maroon and Gold do it one more time against the No. 25 Boise State Broncos in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.
"We attack with the right mindset," safety Lukas Denis said. "I think that will put us in a position to win the game. Vice-versa, if we don't practice hard, it can put you down on a hillside. I think it comes with maturity and age. We're trying to get a win, so that's our mindset. We have great players on our team. They have theirs, we'll have ours. Whoever plays the hardest and the toughest for the longest amount of time will win."
BC and Boise don't have much of a shared history. This game then becomes an introduction to style and culture as it is a game against an opponent. It's one chance to show what it means to play for the Eagles, and it's the same opportunity for the Broncos. It's one last chance for 2018 for each team to define what that means as part of their respective foundations for the future.
"The people that you have in the building develop your culture in the team," linebacker Connor Strachan said. "I think this year, simply coming to work is not enough. We're excited, but there's more to it. There's more outside work and more practice outside (of regular schedules) that's required. That's the culture that we have outside this team going into bowl prep. It's in a different city, but these guys, this is important to them. It's fun to be around."
Here's what to watch for in preparation for Wednesday's bowl game.
*****
Weekly Storylines (Friday Night Lights special edition)
Let's own this game from the opening gun. -Eric Taylor
Boise State's brand of football can dominate a game. Quarterback Brett Rypien is the nephew of former Super Bowl MVP and two-time champion Mark Rypien, and he leads an offense ranked No. 17 in the nation in passing, No. 23 in scoring, and No. 8 in first downs. It's one of the best situational units in Division I, converting over half of its third downs as the third best in FBS. It can control the clock to the tune of over 33 minutes per game and protects against turnovers, two things that create a tall obstacle for BC's rugged, blue-collar defense.
"(Their) receivers are big and fast," Denis said. "Nothing that's surprising. They have a good quarterback. They run the ball well. Very physical team, but we have our corners and DBs. We're excited (for the challenge)."
The Eagles finished the season ranked No. 72 in total defense but were exceptional in the red zone. They ranked as the 28th-best unit in the nation in passing efficiency, and Hamp Cheevers became one of the nation's best lockdown corners with 1.2 passes defended per game and a NCAA-leading seven interceptions.
It was the result of a season-long quest for synergy between the defensive backfield and the front seven. Passes defended forced more plays to the line, which subsequently defended and forced more looks at cornerbacks. Wyatt Ray and Zach Allen were especially stout, averaging a combined 1.29 sacks per game, and the defense held opposing rushing games to just over 150 yards per game. Situationally, the Eagles finished sixth in the ACC on third downs.
"I think it's all about getting first downs," head coach Steve Addazio said. "You keep the ball and momentum when you get first downs, but on defense, (you get first downs by) not allowing them."
Opportunity does not knock. It presents itself when you beat down the door. -Eric Taylor
Every time the BC offense started to really get traction, something happened that would force an adjustment on the fly. It overcame obstacles but never really seemed to get on a track it laid for itself in those first couple of games. With a long break between Syracuse and the bowl game, BC was able to "rebite" and regain its focus for its bowl game.
"I feel a lot fresher than I did (at the end of the season)," quarterback Anthony Brown said. "It's been a long process of doing treatment and taking care of myself. Even other players on the team needed it."
It's a rejuvenation that will likely be needed against an aggressive and physical Boise State defense. The Broncos allowed an average of 22.1 points per game and held opponents to less than 20 points in seven games, including four of the last five. The unit averaged 18 points allowed over the last month of the season, and only Utah State, a nationally-ranked team, scored three touchdowns.
"They're fast and physical," Brown said. "They love playing Power Five teams because people don't believe that their schedule is good enough to beat top teams. They play Power Five level of ball (though), and they always have. I don't expect them to lay down at all. I expect them to come out hard (and) physical and play until they can try to get a win."
BC will need to attack, then, every sector of the field with a balance of looks. There's a requirement for pinpoint execution to move the chains and control the clock. An opposing offense can't score if BC retains possession, and that's something the Eagles have to continue to stress, just as they have throughout the season.
"Anthony's confidence is real good," Steve Addazio said. "In this bowl prep, he looks good throwing the ball. I think that it's just what the defense gives you. On different routes, you go through your reads, and depending on the coverage, someone could be open. Sometimes there's times when you're trying to get the ball to certain people, but most of the team, it's just a read."
Success is not a goal, it's a byproduct. -Eric Taylor
This game is something of a final job interview for players with hopes of playing at the next level. It's the last chance to earn film in game situations, and it's the last opportunity to showcase skills within a system. Everything that happens after this is designed to highlight the individual's measurables, so this is incredibly important for players to show off football acumen.
"Guys are fighting for personal reasons," Connor Strachan said. "Like myself, (I'm) trying to get to the NFL. As a team, we had seven wins, were ranked, had (ESPN College GameDay) here, and we can't let that get by us. (But) during bowl prep, we've been getting more rebite and it's exciting. I've had role models with high draft picks and low draft picks. I want to get through this game and get into that process."
Individual players can hold themselves out of games to preserve draft position, but there are a number of players with something still to prove. So this game becomes equally as important for them to showcase how they can play within a unit before showing off individual skills in the draft season workouts.
*****
Saying Thank You
This the first season in which the First Responder Bowl is being played under its current name, having spent the previous eight years as either the TicketCity Bowl or the Heart of Dallas Bowl. It was officially renamed in August as part of an effort to honor the service of firefighters, police officers and other first responder agencies.
It seeks to honor those who serve, and it allots them up to four free tickets to the game through corporate sponsorship. The game itself allows fans to sponsor a responder to attend the game with their family, free of charge.
This one hits particularly close to home for me. My brother-in-law is a firefighter in Massachusetts and is one of three members of his family on the force in his hometown. I think he's the 12th or 13th member of his family to join the fire department, so there's a long history of celebrating holidays while Dad is either leaving or coming home from a shift. There's an alternating feeling between pride and fear when the call comes in that he runs late from a shift because of a call.
So this is a way for all of us to say thank you. Every family has a story, and in the spirit of the holiday season, it's a great way for all of us to give back to them for all they give to us.
*****
Meteorology 101
Weather forecast for Boise on December 26: Partly cloudy, temperatures in the 30s.
Weather forecast for Boston on December 26: Partly cloudy, temperatures in the 30s.
Weather forecast for Dallas on December 26: Scattered thunderstorms, temperatures in the high 60s.
Sometimes I hate doing this to myself.
*****
Bowl Watching
Bowl season hit the ground running when Fresno State beat Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl and Georgia Southern played a tight game against Eastern Michigan in the Camellia Bowl. Then came Army's 70-point game against Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl, along with Wake Forest's three-point win the Birmingham Bowl, and we were officially back.
December 26 will offer three games that I'm genuinely excited to watch. BC kicks off the day, but Georgia Tech will play Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit at 5:15 p.m. with TCU-California in the Cheez-It Bowl at 9 p.m.
There are a lot of bowl games, but it only increases the pressure to both qualify and win one in the postseason. The extra practices are of immeasurable importance, and winning that game can provide another springboard of optimism and rejuvenation into the next season. It's part of the cycle that never seems to quit where it used to feel more like the end of the season.
"It's turned into a '13th game,'" Steve Addazio said. "But you want the kids to still have great development. The growth and fundamentals now just develop your team for the next year. I hate to lose that focus but it's (still) the last game of the season. It's a reward to get to a venue and enjoy the venue and play a great team. You want to do that."
*****
Prediction Time & Pregame Quote
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose. -Eric Taylor
The First Responder Bowl feels different because both teams did some really special things during the season. Boise State was a conference championship win and a Central Florida loss from representing the Group of Five conferences in the New Year's Six games. Boston College was on the verge of taking a power conference by storm when it was nationally-ranked heading into the Clemson game.
As a result, this game provides an interesting cross-section. Both teams can use a win to springboard into the offseason with the hope of getting to that next level. A loss likely doesn't diminish that hope, but a win would be a significant step forward. A BC win is a win over a ranked team and a fitting end after the way the regular season concluded. A Boise State win is another victory over a quality power conference team, something the Broncos do with regularity.
This is a one-game season, and Lukas Denis put it best. Whichever team plays the hardest and toughest for the longest amount of time will win. This could be one of the best bowl games during the postseason, and it plays out in one of college football's greatest venues. This is exactly what college football bowl season is all about, two teams messing with each other at a neutral site in Texas.
The 2018 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl will kick off at 1:30 p.m. from the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. It can be seen on ESPN with streaming options at WatchESPN.com or via the WatchESPN app. The game can also be heard on the BC IMG Sports Network on 850 AM WEEI and on satellite radio on Sirius 98, XM 193 and Internet channel 955.
Â
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