Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson has already warned his team about this week’s opponent, who he described as “one of the best FCS teams in the country” earlier this week.
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But if there’s anyone inside the Boise State program who knows the exact threat South Dakota could pose, it’s not a coach or an administrator.
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It’s senior defensive back Roman Tillmon.
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Tillmon spent the first three years of his college career in Vermillion at the University of South Dakota, primarily playing as a free safety as the Coyotes advanced to the quarterfinals or further in the FCS playoffs all three seasons.
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“At that level, I still think it’s pretty much the same (as FBS),” Tillmon said Wednesday. “There’s talented guys everywhere you go.”
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He went on to specifically mention running backs Charles Pierre Jr. and Keyondray Jones-Logan as “amazing players.” He noted Jones-Logan as a “gadget player” — the 5-foot-7 running back ranks in the Coyotes’ top four for both rushing (106 yards) and receiving (124 yards) this season.
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“As far as what I’ve seen in the past and what I’ve seen on tape, they want to establish the run game,” Tillmon said.
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Tillmon has gotten off to a quick start for the Broncos, emerging as the top choice at nickel. He played 48 defensive snaps in the season-opening loss to Oregon but just 15 last weekend against Memphis — a snap-count drop that was the result of Boise State playing three cornerbacks rather than a nickel.
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He’s recorded seven total tackles through his first two games, three of which are solos.
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The 5-foot-11 defensive back was a key figure for the Coyotes in 2025, recording 94 total tackles, including a team-high 45 solo tackles. But the Bronocs are not spotting Tillmon by watching tape from last year’s South Dakota team — instead, they are watching the three opening games of this season, all wins by at least two touchdowns.
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And despite having all of that tape, the coaching staff still has been picking Tillmon’s brain
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Tillmon said one of the biggest differences between FBS and FCS is in the trenches, with FBS lines tending to be much bigger. If the Coyotes can’t run the ball, they could be forced to throw more than they’d like, and that’s where Tillmon could shine against his old mates.
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South Dakota’s top four leading receivers are all in at least their second season, meaning Tillmon went up against them in practice after practice over the past few years.
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“Just watching the tape and seeing that they’re doing a lot of similar stuff that I was getting at practice when I was there,” Tillmon said. “So I definitely would say that I know a decent amount of their tendencies.”
肖恩·古德温
爱达荷州官员
