‘Struggling’ Boise still plenty good

Outlook: Through the years, the Broncos have collected recipes of plays. The result is a menu of formations from four wide to three backs to Harper as the wildcat. For all of the pre-snap motions and shifts — they popularized the fly sweep — the smoke masks a basic strategy: establish the run and create mismatches on pass routes. At whatever tempo, the Broncos are proficient when playing fast, they open lanes on trap-blocks and pulls. Sometimes Koch is used as an edge blocker; sometimes 262-pound fullback Dan Paul is summoned as a lead blocker. Sometimes space is created naturally when the formation is spread with four receivers. Harper is another low-running UH opponent who can make quick cuts and is difficult to grasp. Southwick, the successor to Kellen Moore, can extend plays despite limited mobility. The Broncos rely on a short passing attack, with 21 percent of their completes exceeding 15 yards. Their favorite is a double curl, with one receiver running a wider arc than the other on the same side. Fifteen players have caught passes, but Miller is the most prolific, catching 48 of 63 passes in which he is the primary target. He has only two drops.

Outlook: The Broncos have been hurt at both ends, with defensive lineman Mike Atkinson’s season-ending knee injury and free safety Lee Hightower’s suspension. Atkinson was an active interior defender who could crash the pocket (3.5 tackles for losses) and create chaos (two forced fumbles, an interception return for a touchdown). A double move will be made with Koontz, who is having a pretty good year, making his second career start at the three-technique spot, and Tiong-A-Tjoe sliding over to the nose. Lawrence gives offenses fits with his freakish skills as a pass rusher (7.5 sacks) and run-stopper. Lawrence, who played at Butler Junior College last year, turned down offers from Tennessee and Kansas State to sign with the Broncos. Percy, who can align in the middle or edge, is a downhill defender and sure open-field tackler (47 of his 80 tackles were unassisted). Because of the pressure the Broncos can create with their front, the safeties can play in a deep zone, often 13 yards from the line of scrimmage. Ioane, a Punahou graduate, is the secondary’s big hitter. The day before the Broncos’ last visit to Hawaii, the coaches attended a tripleheader at Aloha Stadium. "We heard about (Ioane), but didn’t really know about him," Petersen said. "We watched the game and really liked him. He played some receiver as well. We thought he was an explosive player, so we started recruiting him."

Outlook: Roberson’s anonymity was lifted because of his absence last week. With Roberson suspended, a backup long-snapper’s errant attempt sabotaged a key 2-point attempt. Frisina has been inconsistent. He is perfect on eight field-goal attempts from 29 yards and closer, but 2-for-7 from 30 and beyond.

Outlook: It appeared to be a basic running play in the third quarter of a game whose outcome was no longer in question. But wait. Rewind the video. Yes, it was true. Iosefa had motioned 3 yards directly behind Schroeder, who was in the shotgun. The Warriors were in a pistol formation. "We’re trying everything," coach Norm Chow conceded. The Warriors were advertised as a pro-set offense, but against Fresno State last week, they were in a three-wide set 46 times and five-receiver formation three times. They operated mostly out of a 35-yard-wide formation, with a receiver on the top of each of the numbers. While the offense continues to find a rhythm — the empty sets were successful, although Schroeder took a pounding on each of them — the Warriors connected on delayed routes. In most offenses, the delay works best with a tight end sliding off a block and curling into the flats. The Warriors inverted the play, with the running back sneaking his way for a middle screen. Iosefa is the most effective, with a yards-after-catch average of 7.0 on screens. Stutzmann and Gant were ailing, but are expected to start. There is a tweak on the offensive line with Shigematsu reclaiming the right tackle’s spot and Milovale moving back to left guard.

Outlook: To get used to the Broncos’ multiple sets, there was a practice session this week in which the defense was split up to face two scout offenses simultaneously. One group worked on pass defense, another on the run. "They do a lot of shifting, a lot of window dressing," defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said. The Warriors also will be on the move. Defensive tackle Siasau Matagiese, who had a shoulder issue last week, is healthy enough to play. But the Warriors probably will open with defensive end Beau Yap at tackle, providing a quicker interior player. Plus, Woodard has been solid in using his long reach to obscure the passing lanes to the flats. Edwards and Phillips get the start at the corners, but Dee Maggitt, who graded well last week, has developed into a solid third corner. Look for safeties Charles Clay and Leroy Lutu Jr. to get work in nickel packages.

Outlook: Edwards is 12th nationally in kickoff returns, but he might get some breaks this week because of the availability of Chris Gant and emergence of Chinedu Amadi. Gant did not play last week because of an arm issue. He has the burst (sub-4.5 seconds over 40 yards) to replicate Edwards’ return skills.