Bsu’s Allen Puts His Spin On Title Game But Noncommittal On Picking I-Aa Winner

When Montana’s Grizzlies defeated Boise State 54-28 on Sept. 23, coach Don Read called it “without a doubt the biggest win in the 10 years I’ve been associated with this program.”

Of course, the Grizzlies are striving for a more significant triumph today in the NCAA Division I-AA championship game against Marshall.

“It’ll be very, very close, I think,” said Boise State coach Pokey Allen. “Marshall is really good. We were extremely lucky to beat them last year.”

Allen’s Broncos rallied to defeat Marshall 28-24 last year in the national semifinals, a week before losing to Youngstown State in the championship game.

The semifinal victory is undoubtedly more vivid in the memories of Broncos fans, for their team overcame four turnovers and a 17-0 deficit to knock off the Thundering Herd in Boise.

“We were on a roll,” said Allen, a Missoula native, who led Boise State to the brink of a national championship in his first year on the job. “Somehow we came up with a couple of big plays to beat Marshall in the fourth quarter. They were a very, very good team. And they’re a very, very good team this year.”

As good as the one that got the best of the Broncos 54-28 earlier this season?

“Well, Marshall doesn’t have to go to Montana, which I think right now is the toughest place in the world to play,” Allen said, referring to newly expanded Washington-Grizzly Stadium, which was sold out the last two weeks as Montana recorded one-sided playoff victories.

The home-field edge is not the only one favoring the Herd, Allen said.

“Marshall does play some passing teams,” he said. “And unlike some of the teams Montana’s faced (in the playoffs), they throw it pretty well themselves.”

Montana has the top passing offense in I-AA football, so the outcome may hinge on how well the Grizzlies protect quarterback Dave Dickenson. Allen said Marshall’s defensive front last year was outstanding.

“I’ll tell you one thing,” Allen said, “facing David Dickenson is a different experience. I think he’s the best quarterback in North America.”

Dickenson, a three-time All-American from Great Falls, Mont., completed 26 of 38 passes for 383 yards and six touchdowns against Boise this year although he played little more than one half.

“He’s awful good,” Allen said. “He does some things that other guys can’t, vision-wise and accuracy-wise. And he’s so elusive.”

Allen’s Broncos defeated Dickenson and Co. 38-14 two seasons ago, sacking the quarterback more than 10 times. Blitzing frequently is a popular, albeit risky, defensive tactic to use against Montana.

Allen was noncommittal when asked to predict the outcome of today’s game.

Clearly, though, the Boise coach is glad he doesn’t have to face the undersized, overachieving Dickenson anymore.

“I had a (professional) scout in here the other day,” Allen said, “and we were laughing about who’s the best quarterback in the West. He said, ‘I know who the best one is, but we probably won’t take him.’

“Everybody’s talking about Dickenson,” Allen said. “And I’ll tell you what. There’s not a defensive coordinator that’s faced him who wouldn’t take him.”