Practice report: Boise State’s Tommy Smith will feel at home in the Dome
ATHENS – Everybody in Boise, Idaho, is excited about playing Georgia in the Georgia Dome on Sept. 3, but no one is more excited than Tommy Smith.
Smith
Smith is a junior inside linebacker for the Broncos and, thanks to quarterback Michael Tamburo’s transfer to UGA, the only Boise State player from Atlanta, or Georgia, for that matter. As such, he has been the No. 1 thorn-in-the-side of his teammates the past few weeks.
Players get just two tickets apiece for away games. Smith said he needs 27 — at least.
“I’ve got 17 right now,” Smith said in a telephone interview this week. “I thought this would be an easy game to get tickets for but it’s been pretty hard. Hopefully I can get 10 more.”
It’s a problem Smith is happy to have. Playing Georgia in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game – playing Georgia anywhere, in fact — is something Smith never dreamed of when he signed with the Broncos out of North Atlanta High.
“Definitely not in the Georgia Dome,” Smith said. “I’m really excited about getting back home and playing in the Georgia Dome in front of my friends and family. I found out when it was released to the newspaper. I started thinking then about how many tickets I could get.”
Smith said he and his family used to attend Atlanta Falcons’ games regularly at the Dome. But he’s never had the pleasure of playing in it. His North Atlanta teams never made it that far in the high school playoffs.
Smith is currently a backup linebacker to Byron Hout, a senior who’s best known for being knocked out by Oregon’s LaGarrett Blount in 2009. Smith plays regularly, though, and filled in last season when Hout was out with a broken foot. He has had 49 tackles the last two seasons and was named to the All-WAC academic team both years.
So how did this Atlantan end up all the way out in Boise?
“It was all about how recruiting played out,” said Smith, a two-star rated recruit. “I wasn’t that highly recruited out of high school. I had a couple of offers but nothing major. Somehow I found myself all the way out Boise on a recruiting visit and I liked it. It was in the winter, like a couple of days before the Super Bowl. There was snow everywhere. I thought it was pretty cool.”
Tailback talk
There were conflicting reports after practice Thursday as to how much tailback Richard Samuel was able to participate. Running backs coach Bryan McClendon said the big junior was able to do everything, including 11-on-11 work. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo insisted he did not have Samuel for 11-on-11.
Suffice it to say, Samuel is back and is involved in preparations for the Boise State game. The 6-2, 238-pound running back has been out for nearly two weeks with a strained quadriceps.
Nevertheless, McClendon indicated that, barring further injury setbacks, Samuel will likely be the starter against Boise State.
“If they’re healthy it’d be Richard and Isaiah right now,” he said when asked the order of appearance. But he said Crowell will play a significant role against Boise State and may eventually start this season.
“You definitely want to see him just keep improving,” McClendon said. “He’s put himself in great position to get a lot of work in that first ballgame. He’s a guy we’re going to have to depend on a lot.
McClendon also listed Brandon Harton ahead of Ken Malcome for the third and fourth spots.
Injury report
Asked to comment on the play of nose guard John Jenkins, defensive line coach Rodney Garner groused. “If you want to know about him you have to ask Ron Courson,” he said.
Courson is, of course, Georgia’s director of sports medicine. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Jenkins remains in Courson’s charge. He has now been out a week with a pulled hamstring.
Harton was also out Thursday with an undisclosed leg injury suffered in Wednesday’s scrimmage. McClendon indicated it was not serious. Fullback Bruce Figgins (hamstring) and wide receivers Marlon Brown (ankle) and Malcolm Mitchell (hamstring) also sat out.
Etc. . . .
Georgia practiced for 90 minutes Thursday in a workout that focused mainly on special teams. . . Offensive line coach Will Friend said sophomore Dallas Lee will be the “first guy in” off the bench for the Bulldogs at either guard position or center. He’d be followed by David Andrews, then Austin Long. However, Kenarious Gates would shift from guard to either left or right tackle if one has to come out of the game. Lee would actually be . . . Outside linebacker Ray Drew has recovered enough from the separated shoulder he suffered in a scooter crash to be counted on to play against Boise State. “He’ll play and he’ll give us some depth,” defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. “I think he’ll be a guy that will continue to rise as the season goes.” . . . Safety Corey Moore and cornerback Damian Swann are freshmen currently playing on the second-team defense.
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268 comments Add your comment
TampaDawg
August 26th, 2011
2:29 pm
Roux??? Is Mett going to “excel” at 2nd string? That would take some real talent.
DawginLex
August 26th, 2011
2:39 pm
Jarrett Lee named LSU starter.
Mett will hold a clipboard
i think I’ll watch Murray throw for 300 yards instead
Roux
August 26th, 2011
2:42 pm
Jarrett is an INT machine. Sad, but it’s true. Mett will play.
gdawginkalamazoo
August 26th, 2011
2:53 pm
Oh boy, I don’t see much change form last year if all these kids are injured and not practicing. I won’t expect too much from the same team that couldn’t get it in the endzone from the 4 yard against UCF. Say what you will about King & Ealey but those guys could run at times. Crowell is injured and a rookie. AJ is gone. Boise will be fired up and have an experienced QB who can get rid of the ball in a hurry. Might be a long night for Coach Richt. Then again all these injuries could be nothing but a mirage for the media.
Good for Tommy Smith though. I hope you get all 27 tickets and they get to watch you lose. Nothing personal. I like the story and the fact that you are a student-athlete.
T2go
August 26th, 2011
3:02 pm
I am cautiously optimistic about this team and the Boise game. Would love a Boise a$$ whipping…but Im not so sure that will happen. At any rate I want to stay positive about this group. Its tough to come outta the gates w a big first game…but we will see how they handle it. I do hope that the coaches will do a good job…they know more than i will ever know about the game…let Grantham off the chain! Let those big Dawgs eat!
Just glad to hear all the positives coming outta Athens. Lets git it on!!! Go Dawgs!
gdawginkalamazoo
August 26th, 2011
3:05 pm
T2go, I agree let Grantham get fired up and show some emotion. I think that breathes life into the defense.
jerry
August 26th, 2011
3:32 pm
no tougher for the Dawgs than it is for Boise St. No excuses.
Bob
August 26th, 2011
4:49 pm
I’m beginning to get concerned with Boo Malcome…fourth on the depth chart behind two injured RBs? If he can’t get healthy, shut him down for another year; quit prolonging his injuries. And, TampaGator, glad to see you back on board and see that you did not run off with UGA girl. Keep up the good posts, and stay away from Dale Mabry…get you in trouble.
Nick
August 26th, 2011
5:55 pm
Ugga get ready for feast on some Bronco bud…. GO Dawgs!!!
BIGDAWG37
August 26th, 2011
6:43 pm
Not good news about Jenkins!!! He is losing respect from the team, coaches, and fans quickly! Get out of the sick bay and get on the field!!! Time to go to work!!! GO DAWGS!
Chip Towers
August 26th, 2011
9:14 pm
JB: can’t ban tide roll for spouting the same old tired propaganda. he keeps it clean
RedandBlackDAWG
August 26th, 2011
10:16 pm
Afan
The name is kind of a misnomer. The penalty is not for excessive celebration, it is for taunting before you cross the goal line. You get a 15 yard penalty at the kick off for excessive celbration in the end zone.
dogdawg
August 26th, 2011
11:41 pm
God i hope you guys are rite.I’ll be at the game,but so many times i’ve seen us not ready in the BIG game.I hope CMR has us ready this time cause you can bank on BS being ready.The cancers on the team are hopefully gone,and we come out and show the world what SEC is all about. GO YOU HAIRY DAWG!!!!
Stay Ready
August 27th, 2011
8:52 am
Why Do Yall Love To Hate Boise State????? Let Go Boise!!!!
RedandBlackDAWG
August 27th, 2011
10:16 am
Stay ready,
For the same reason you hate UGA. Might give some thought before you ask a loaded question like that.
Cola Dawg
August 27th, 2011
11:50 am
Looking forward to a great game! UGA has tons of potential – hope they can deliver this year!!
To get you pumped and ready to go back between the hedges….check out this tune:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcQHPVJT_C8
Vandals Reek
August 27th, 2011
8:38 pm
As we head into the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game on September 3rd, us Boise State fans have heard all of the insults from the fans of Georgia and other BCS teams.
Every cliche’ argument from strength of schedule to playing on the “smurf turf” has been brought forth in an effort to minimize the Broncos’ impressive run over the past 10 years.
This happens every year, whether its Virginia Tech before they lost or Oregon before they lost twice to Boise State.
So to all you Dawg fans trying to act like you’re not nervous, here’s some fascinating facts for you.
1. Boise State is 46-12 on green fields in the past 10 years with only five losses in the past five years. That record is the third-best away record in all of Division FBS schools.
2. The players see the field on a different plane while playing, otherwise it would be really tough for BSU to dominate every opposing team on the blue when his receivers are camouflaged.
3. Boise State beat Fresno State 51-0 at Bronco Stadium wearing orange uniforms. This was actually one of the most dominating performances in BSU history. Maybe they should wear a different colored uniform on “The Blue.”
Another argument they bring up is the weak schedule.
1. There is some validity in this argument but just point out that the Mountain West Conference is actually ranked higher then the Big East—a fellow BCS conference.
2. Also, point out that Boise State wins when they get to play BCS schools. In the Chris Petersen era, Boise has lost only one game against a BCS team including some wins over Oregon when they won the Pac-10 in 2009 and Virginia Tech when they won the ACC in 2010. But don’t worry, this argument will get easier after a win in Atlanta.
3. Third argument you could make is that in BCS rankings (which takes strength of schedule into account), Boise State has finished the season ranked:
in the BCS top five twice in the past five years
in the BCS top 10 five times in the past seven years
and in the BCS top 25 seven times in the past eight years.
Keep in mind, BSU has only been a Division 1-A school since 1996 and didn’t join the WAC until 2001.
From the Georgia fans, you will also get the argument of the last time Boise went to Georgia and we lost by a significant amount.
I guess the blue turf really does give them an advantage. 1. Other then the obvious argument that the two teams meeting in 2011 are vastly different than the teams that met in 2005, BSU was being coached by Dan Hawkins at that point, and he did not adequately prepare Boise State like Coach Petersen would have. That is evident when he went to Colorado and proceeded to tank the Buffaloes during his tenure there.
2. You will have to concede that Georgia was very good that year. They went on to win the SEC championship, and BSU was in a rebuilding year but still only lost four games. They should have won. This year is much different. This Boise State team is much better, and this Georgia team is much worse then the last time they met.
Some will want to bring up the Nevada game last year. Well, if its a Georgia fan, this is too easy.
1. Just comment on their big wins over Idaho State and Louisiana-Lafayette in their 6-7 run last year. However, don’t mention the fact that they lost to an unranked Mississippi State, Florida and Colorado as it may hurt some feelings. Also, try to contain the laughter if you have to mention Colorado. Meanwhile, BSU hasn’t had a losing season in 13 years.
2. You can mention that Nevada finished the season at No. 11 right behind No. 9 Boise State but far ahead of Georgia, and Nevada finished 13-1 that year. Plus BSU lost in overtime by three.
The Boise State NASCAR. Photo Courtesy of Brian Scott 3. Don’t mention the bowl loss to Central Florida either. I bet that one stings Georgia fans too.
The last insult I hear a lot is the fact that BSU is essentially a high school team because our stadium holds 33,500 fans, and they are right it does only hold about 34,000.
1. There is only one argument to this, and that is Boise has only been a Division 1-A school for the last 15 years. Georgia has been playing at a high level for over 100 years.
In that 100 years, Sanford Stadium is the best they can come up with? Hell, it’s not even good enough for the kickoff game let alone the best in the SEC. Give Boise State 100 years and see what kind of stadium they come up with.
In the next five years, BSU will increase its stadium from 33,500 to 53,000, and BSU will still maintain their home winning streak.
Some other interesting facts to use against Georgia. Did you know:
Boise State has the same amount of BCS bowl wins as Georgia.
Boise State has been ranked higher then Georgia in the BCS in four of the last five years?
Boise State has a NASCAR race car and Georgia doesn’t? That especially crushes Georgia fans. Oh, and it will race in Atlanta the same day BSU plays Georgia. Well played Broncos.
And last but not least, go ahead and mention the fact that the Georgia coach thought Kellen Moore had graduated, and that’s why they took the game but then tried to cover it up by saying he was joking. Joke or not, that sure is motivating for his players.
Hopefully, this helps you fight the good fight against the BCS powers or at least gives you some fire power against that crazed Georgia fan in your office.
Plus, at the very least, you can comment on Georgia’s hideous bright red Nike Pro Combat Uniform with the red stripe down the face mask.
Good luck Dawg fans and let the games begin.
Jeff
August 31st, 2011
2:54 am
To Georgia fans: I am a Boise st. fan. I posted this before but will once again. I respect Georgia, it’s coach, it’s talent, most of it’s fans, etc. I can see several scenarios where they win this game. However, do not discount Boise St. coaching (the best in the country) and their talent (very good, easily good enough to compete and win in this game). Both teams have good coaching and good talent. This will come down to execution and either team could win on Saturday. On the other front, I know the SEC is the most talented conference top to bottom right now. I know that if Boise St. were in the SEC this year we could very well lose 1-3 games (although within 2-3 years the better recruiting pipeline and better money that comes with being in the SEC would even out the talent depth disparity). But Boise st. is not in the SEC nor the Pac 10. Yet they have scheduled two top 20 opponents (Georgia and TCU) and a myriad of other bowl teams from last year (Tulsa, Toledo, Air Force, San Diego St., Nevada, Fresno St., Hawaii, etc.). Tulsa/Toledo/and Nevada are all expected to be conference champions this year for their respective conferences. So while not equal to an SEC conference schedule, their schedule deserves much more respect than being called a bunch of high school teams. That coupled with the fact that we have to go undefeated to even be considered for any BCS bowl game (not even talking the Nat. championship game), in my opinion deserves some respect. In the SEC you can still get in even with 2 losses (or in the case of Arkansas last year 3 losses). I am not ripping the SEC at all, I’m just saying Boise St. deserves more respect for their schedule and the expectations placed on them than they are getting by some people on here. BTW, Boise homers who come on here and show disrespect to Georgia, it’s fans, or it’s athlete’s intelligence levels, just stop it. You can’t gain respect by showing disrespect.