The attention was on the quarterback.
The problem was on the offensive line.
The Broncos, using four inexperienced starters on the line, couldn’t handle Troy’s talented defensive line in Saturday’s season opener — a 24-13 win. Four different linemen committed penalties in the first half alone, when quarterback Brett Rypien was sacked three times. Rypien was sacked again in the second half.
As a result of the ineffective line play, the Broncos couldn’t run the ball with Rypien in the game. He missed what should have been a touchdown pass on the first half under pressure.