SCOTT SLANT: Kellen and the court of public opinion

Presented by BACON.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019.

There’s an interesting take on Kellen Moore at Dallas fan site TheLandryHat.com. First you see the headline: “Why Kellen Moore won’t last long as offensive coordinator.” And you think, “Okay, here we go, more cynicism surrounding the former Boise State great.” Writes Chris Hill, “His issue will be one of impatience.” Par for the course, it seems. But, Hill adds, “Not on the part of the Cowboys, but rather by one of a handful of general managers across the NFL who are looking for the next hottest coach to lead their organizations.” Say what? “If Moore comes in and has the success Cowboys fans so desperately want, it will only take two top-5 type seasons by the Dak Prescott-led offense for general managers around the league to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” Are Dallas fans actually starting to buy in?

“All it takes is a quick glance at how the Boise State passing concepts bewildered college defenses during Moore’s four years under center as the Broncos’ quarterback to understand the Cowboys made the right call,” writes Hill. He has some suggested reading material for you. One is a “very in-depth analysis of Moore’s offensive mentality” at InsideThePylon.com called “Simplified Confusion: Formations, Motion, and Numbers.” Hill points out this was further reinforced in The Landry Hat’s own story, “Amari Cooper on Dallas Cowboys new offense: Same plays, but disguised.” Now that sounds like a Kellen Moore offense.

JORDAN LOVE: NFL PROSPECT?

Sports Illustrated’s Top 100 college football players is out for 2019 (out of about 10,000 FBS scholarship athletes, writer Joan Niesen points out). One of the seven biggest snubs, according to Niesen, is Jordan Love of Utah State. Niesen’s narrative: “Love is a quarterback who has lost a ton of talent around him, leading some to wonder if he can replicate his bonkers 2018 numbers. A year ago, Love was a breakout star, throwing for 3,567 yards and 32 touchdowns while tossing just six interceptions as Utah State finished the year 11–2 and proceeded to lose most of its staff when Texas Tech hired head coach Matt Wells. At 6-4, 225 pounds, Love looks the part of a quarterback who can thrive at the next level. It’ll be interesting to follow how he lifts the new faces around him on offense.”

NEW BUILDING FOR THE RAINBOW WARRIORS

More facilities news from around the Mountain West. On Monday, Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed into law legislation to begin funding a replacement for decaying Aloha Stadium. “It has become clear that we need to take action to move forward on this important facility,” Ige said in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Man, is that an understatement. The stadium is going into its 45th season as home for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. It was high-tech when it opened in 1975, with its moving sections of stands and all. But now it’s a rusty hulk of its former self. The target date for a new stadium currently revolves around 2024. It’ll be funded by public-private partnerships. That’ll be the tricky part.

BARSH IN BOISE – AND A FORMER VANDAL IN VEGAS

Boise State made it official yesterday, announcing R-Jay Barsh as Leon Rice’s new men’s basketball assistant. Barsh has been head coach at NAIA Southeastern University the past seven years. And those checking up on former Boise State star Chandler Hutchison in the box scores from the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League may have noticed the name Perrion Callendret. Idaho fans recognize Callendret as a former Vandal standout, and he’s on the roster of the Chicago Bulls entry with Hutchison in Vegas. Callendret, a 6-2 guard, has appeared in the past two games for the Bulls, playing a combined 14 minutes with four points, three rebounds and two assists. He played 113 career games at Idaho from 2013-18, averaging 8.0 points and 2.9 rebounds.

HOPS DROP THE HAWKS

After an 8-2 loss at Hillsboro on Tuesday, the Boise Hawks’ record isn’t ideal, but it is symmetrical. Boise is now 13-13 on the season—10-3 at home and 3-10 on the road. Today the Hawks get their version of an All-Star break—the first day off of the 2019 season. They’ll open a three-game home series against the Hops Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. It was pretty quiet for the six former Hawks in the All-Star Game Tuesday night, won 4-3 by the American League. Gleyber Torres of the Yankees picked up one of the AL’s eight hits, and David Dahl of the Rockies collected one of the NL’s five.

TRACKING BRONCOS BEYOND ALLIE O

Boise State doesn’t have Allie Ostrander anymore, but the Broncos’ distance-running stable still goes deep. Two Boise State athletes are participating in the 30th Summer Universiade, otherwise known as the World University Games in Naples, Italy. Representing Australia is Clare O’Brien, a junior from Queensland who logged the ninth-fastest time in the 10,000-meters in the Games. Representing Somalia is sophomore Ahmed Muhumed, who finished eighth in his 1500-meter heat. Muhumed is also set to run in the 5000-meters this Saturday. Meanwhile, Boise State junior Lauren Sale became the first Bronco swimmer to capture a gold medal at the Pacific Games in Samoa on Tuesday, winning the 200-meter backstroke. Sale is also the first Samoan female swimmer ever to win gold.

This Day In Sports…brought to you by BBSI BOISE…we’re payroll, we’re risk, we’re HR, we’re business!

July 10, 1999, 20 years ago today: With a Rose Bowl crowd of 90,185 rooting them on, the U.S. women’s soccer team produces one of the great moments in American female athletics. After the final went scoreless in regulation, the U.S. defeated China 5-4 on penalty kicks to win the FIFA World Cup. It was the Americans’ second World Cup crown, but the first to attract massive attention across the country. The game-winning kick—and one of the most replayed highlights in history—came from Brandi Chastain, who promptly ripped off her jersey, revealing what became soccer’s most famous sports bra ever.

(Tom Scott hosts the Scott Slant segment during the football season on KTVB’s Sunday Sports Extra and anchors five sports segments each weekday on 93.1 FM KTIK. He also served as color commentator on KTVB’s telecasts of Boise State football for 14 seasons.)

Scott Slant sponsor sites:

Maz-Tech Automotive


Bacon


BBSI


Zamzows


Meridian Auto Ranch Outlet


Commercial Tire