Johnson continues to shine in ESPN spotlight
The ESPN magic continues for Boise State tailback Ian Johnson.
Ian Johnson racked up 158 total yards — including a 47-yard reception on a shovel pass in the third quarter — and one touchdown Sunday night at Bronco Stadium.
Boise State blew out New Mexico State 58-0.
Ian Johnson entered the game averaging 187 yards and 3.4 touchdowns in five appearances as a starter on ESPN or ESPN2.
Ian Johnson failed to rush for 100 yards or score two touchdowns on ESPN for the first time, but he made four catches for 73 yards.
Ian Johnson only had 17 carries because of the lopsided score. He rushed for 85 yards.
Ian Johnson and the Broncos will be back on ESPN next Sunday night against Nevada. Ian Johnson racked up 147 yards and three touchdowns against Nevada last year on ESPN2.
Chase Holbrook starts
New Mexico State's star quarterback, Chase Holbrook, started against Boise State and played the first quarter before leaving with an injury. Holbrook had been questionable with a rib injury.
Holbrook was 4-of-8 for 32 yards with an interception in the game
Freshman backup J.J. McDermott entered in the second quarter. McDermott was 10-of-19 for 57 yards with two interceptions.
Coughlin takes backup snaps
Freshman quarterback Mike Coughlin entered the game in the third quarter as the Broncos' backup.
He led two touchdown drives, but needed a lot of help. His first drive was sparked by a 47-yard shovel pass to Ian Johnson and capped by a 33-yard screen pass to Jeremy Childs. His second TD drive was one 9-yard run by D.J. Harper after a blocked punt.
Coughlin struggled when the rest of the second-team offense came into the game. He was 3-of-7 for 76 yards and one touchdown overall.
Nick Lomax was 2-of-3 for 44 yards as the third-stringer. Bush Hamdan, who was the leader in the chase for the starting job entering fall camp, did not play.
The Broncos will re-evaluate the quarterback depth chart this week, coach Chris Petersen said.
Injuries strike Bronco starters
Freshman safety Jeron Johnson, the Broncos' leading tackler, and senior defensive end Nick Schlekeway did not play against New Mexico State because of hamstring injuries.
Senior Austin Smith started in place of Ian Johnson. The Broncos rotated defensive linemen all night. Starting wide receiver Vinny Perretta left after the second offensive play of the game. He likely aggravated his shoulder injury.
Perretta missed almost a game and a half with a shoulder injury but played Sept. 27 against Southern Miss and declared himself 100 percent Friday.
Hook-and-lateral returns
The Broncos tried a new version of the hook-and-lateral. Quarterback Taylor Tharp threw a quick pass to wideout Titus Young on the left side, and Young lateraled to tailback Ian Johnson. The play gained just 1 yard.
The Broncos, of course, used a more traditional hook-and-lateral to force overtime in the Fiesta Bowl.
Quick hits
New Mexico State won the coin toss and deferred until the second half. … Backup kicker Brock Jaramillo took over kickoff duties when starter Kyle Brotzman struggled in the first half. … Pete Cavender and Andrew Woodruff split time at right guard for BSU.
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